This is a blog post mostly to my past self. If any part of of it resonates, take it. If not feel free to ignore.
Is there something you want to say? Do you want to write more? Want to be a "thought leader" or "build a brand" or whatever.
Great. Then do it.
There's literally nothing standing in your way. Nothing outside yourself at least.
It feels like there's lots of things preventing you from writing, but those are all just excuses and fears.
Let's look at things objectively: You have the internet and a thing to write with that will also send what you write to the internet.
That's all you need!
Is it a computer? Great. Your phone? Still works.
"What should I write?"
Whatever you want, dude.
No one is stopping you (except you).
You're not on assignment. You don't have a deadline. No book advance. This isn't a follow-up novel.
Authors, journalists, professional influencers would kill to be in your position.
You're free.
What would you write about even if no one else would read it?
No one is stopping you (except you).
You're not on assignment. You don't have a deadline. No book advance. This isn't a follow-up novel.
Authors, journalists, professional influencers would kill to be in your position.
You're free.
What would you write about even if no one else would read it?
"I don't have time."
Yes you do.
You're not too busy. You're just not treating it as a priority.
The thing you want to do is not a priority.
You've got time to watch TV, go out, scroll on your phone, take a walk, call friends. You're prioritizing those things.
You text all the time. That's writing! You've got time for that writing...
Why not this?
You're not too busy. You're just not treating it as a priority.
The thing you want to do is not a priority.
You've got time to watch TV, go out, scroll on your phone, take a walk, call friends. You're prioritizing those things.
You text all the time. That's writing! You've got time for that writing...
Why not this?
"What if it's no good?"
Of course it won't be good!
You think brilliance will spring forth from your fingertips like fireworks?
There's a part of you that knows it doesn't work like that.
And the other part of you that's afraid of having incontrovertible evidence that it's true.
Ignore part #2 for a change.
Would that work out better?
There's a part of you that knows it doesn't work like that.
And the other part of you that's afraid of having incontrovertible evidence that it's true.
Ignore part #2 for a change.
Would that work out better?
"But what if no one reads what I write?"
Don't worry, no one will.
You haven't written anything yet!
You wouldn't read the writings of someone who hasn't written anything, right?
So get to it and become one of those people who's written something.
You wouldn't read the writings of someone who hasn't written anything, right?
So get to it and become one of those people who's written something.
It helps to write to someone.
You know people right?
Pick someone, write what you want, and then send it to them.
Tell them, I don't want feedback. Just want to know that you've read it.
You know people right?
Pick someone, write what you want, and then send it to them.
Tell them, I don't want feedback. Just want to know that you've read it.
"Where should I post it?"
Put it on Tumblr. Or Bluesky. Or Facebook. Or Substack. Or a blog.
Or start a mailing list and send an email to people. You've got email right?
Or start a mailing list and send an email to people. You've got email right?
It. Doesn't. Matter. Where.
You're writing not good stuff that few people will see.
But do it anyway.
But do it anyway.
If you find you want to post it somewhere different, go there.
Don't worry about porting over your old posts.
If it's any good, you'll write about it again or find the old post and revise it.
Don't worry about porting over your old posts.
If it's any good, you'll write about it again or find the old post and revise it.
Just write what you're thinking about.
Start.
Do it.
Do it now.
Start.
Do it.
Do it now.