Why writing is a practice everyone should have

  • It helps clarify your thoughts.
  • It forces you to make assertions and have opinions.
  • It’s infinite. Writer’s block is a myth and there’s always something to write about.
  • You can practice the scary habit of shipping work publically.
  • It creates change in you and the reader.
  • It triggers emotions in you and the reader.
  • It sparks joy in you and the reader.
  • It teaches discipline.
  • It’s proactive and productive.
  • It creates conversation.

Just over two years ago I started writing this blog.

And the first post? Well, it’s really quite cringeworthy.

It was a freezing cold afternoon when I sat down to write it. I was sitting at my parent’s house, in front of the fire and had a wave of inspiration (fuelled by a glass or three of red wine).

I whipped up a basic WordPress site, hit Publish and then spent the next hour nervously pacing around the room, questioning my life choices and waiting for the world to implode.

Who the hell was I to start a blog and have the audacity to think anyone would care to read?

Did I forget that blogging peaked 11 years before, in 2006?

I mean maybe.

But also, 102 posts later, I can say I’m happy with my life choice to start writing and thankfully, the world is yet to implode.

The post-publish-pacing, however, I’ve learned to accept is a very real part of the creative process.

pacing.gif

To everyone that reads and follows along, thank you. It means a lot to know there are people other than my mum who enjoy these noodles.

And in case you’re interested, the most read posts to date are:

This reminder we’re extraordinary

This post on one of my favourite questions

This take on acting as if

These questions to promote serious noodling

This assertion that being busy doesn’t make you important