"写自己和自己时代的人才是写所有人和所有时代的人。"

Writing about personal experiences and the era you live in can have universal significance. This idea suggests that by sharing your unique, authentic story, you tap into something timeless and relatable for everyone. It’s like how a simple, heartfelt diary entry can resonate across generations—because, at the core, human experiences share many common threads.

Think about why someone would say such a thing. Maybe it's because when you dig deep into your own life, you're bound to uncover emotions, struggles, and triumphs that others have felt too. When you’re honest and specific about your own life, it becomes a mirror for others. They see themselves in your story. This quote probably comes from someone who deeply values authenticity and believes in the power of personal storytelling to connect with others on a deeper level.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Take Anne Frank and her famous diary. She wrote about her life hiding during the Holocaust, a very specific and horrific time. Yet, her words have resonated with millions of people around the world, across different cultures and times. It’s because her personal thoughts and feelings about fear, hope, and humanity touch on universal human experiences. Anne wasn’t trying to write a history book; she was just a girl recording her thoughts. And in doing so, she captured something profoundly universal.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? Start by writing about what you know, even if it feels mundane. Your struggles, your joys, your doubts—write them down. Don’t shy away from the specific details of your life. Those specifics are what make your story unique and, paradoxically, relatable. People don’t connect with vague generalities; they connect with the raw, unfiltered truth of another’s experience.

Imagine you’re sitting in a coffee shop with your best friend, and you’re sharing a story about a tough time at work. You talk about how your boss’s criticism stung, how you felt like you weren’t good enough, and how you finally mustered the courage to speak up. Your friend nods, their eyes wide with understanding. They’ve been there too. They know that feeling, even if their job is different, even if their boss is different. It’s the same with writing about your life. The specifics of your story—your boss’s name, the exact words they used—make it real and relatable.

So, grab a journal, open a blank document, and start writing. Don’t worry about making it perfect. Just write honestly about your day, your thoughts, your struggles. You might be surprised to find that the more specific you get, the more others will see themselves in your story. It’s a bit like magic, really. By being deeply personal, you become universal. And in doing so, you connect with people from all walks of life, across time and space.