The Man Behind the Keyboard
Who is Ryan Justin?
When asked to write an introductory piece about yourself the first thought that comes to mind is; easy.
After all, who knows you better than you?
But when faced with that blank white page to decorate, an unforgiving cursor flashing before your eyes, one questions seems to echo silently around the room, “Who am I?”
At first, you may begin to share your interests, hobbies and perhaps even your profession.
You tell the reader about your love of sports; boxing, MMA and football (soccer), or that you live an active lifestyle, hiking at the weekend, working out and training Krav Maga, but is that really who you are?
You may ask yourself, “Does the reader really care that you spend Monday to Friday working 9–5 as a draughtsman, creating structural drawings for various construction projects?”
They might, but then again, does this define you?
You could tell the story of how you came to reside in New Zealand? After being born and bred in Belfast, Northern Ireland, living there for the first twenty-four years of your life.
Though nowadays everyone travels, so it’s hardly a riveting tale.
Perhaps you share your goals of one day writing articles online for a living, maybe even becoming a sportswriter or creating pieces to inspire and motivate others to live their best life?
Which, is a common goal for many and not a very out there dream to have.
Or do you get personal with your introduction, allow the reader a sneak peek into your life. Do they know what you get up to behind closed doors? That you enjoy a drink at the weekend, relaxing and spending time with your family?
Doesn’t everyone do that?
You could always go down the emotional route, try and pull at the heartstrings of the reader, talk to them about how becoming a father and raising a toddler is probably one of the best things you’ve ever done in your life.
Again, nothing out of the ordinary, not really hard-hitting content.
So many directions in which to go with an introductory piece, but the underlining question still remains, “Who am I?”
We are constantly evolving, every day, changing.
From our thoughts and feelings to our interests and hobbies. Goals and professions have no guarantee to remain the same.
Does anyone truly know who they are?
As I fill this crisp white space with my thoughts, trying to answer ‘that’ question all I can say is this.
I’m just an ordinary guy, trying to learn something new every day and become the best version of myself all the while living a ‘normal’ life forbye.
I have hopes, dreams and goals, as most people do, and I’m currently enjoying the process of working towards achieving them.
Where this crazy journey called life will take me, I do not know for certain, but I’m gloved up, feeling light on my feet and ready to give it my best shot.