I recently came across some old blog posts that I wrote around 2010. These posts were from the days of double spacing between sentences, ezine articles and when blogging was still pretty new. You know, the olden days.
Back then I wrote weekly and simply. Many of the posts were short. I mean really short, like only a title and bullet points. But there were some gems to be found and I can see the roots of what I teach and write today.
When I started blogging, my intention was to simply share things that might help people. Especially my clients, since I didn’t imagine anyone else would want to read it. I didn’t worry about talent, style or even grammar. I just wrote.
But after more than a decade of writing almost weekly, I hit a wall.
- I couldn’t figure out what to say
- I was sure I was not a good writer
- I thought I should change styles, but I didn’t know what that meant
- I felt my writing was too this or too that
- I didn’t think my posts were helping anyone anymore
- I wondered if I was supposed to be writing about something else
When staring at blank pages with no inspiration became too much, I gave myself permission to relax a bit. I would write a post once a month, or less. But the inspiration never came, or if I had an idea, the end result wouldn’t feel authentic or meaningful. It was official, my writing had become constipated.
A few months ago, the editor of our local newspaper, James, asked if I would be interested in writing a column for the local paper. I declined, saying I had writer’s block and hadn’t been writing at all. He said something that has stuck with me – “Write what you see.”
I tried. And then when I didn’t think what I wrote was good enough I asked AI for suggestions. There were some good tips, but the focus was shifting to “how” I wrote, not what was in my heart to say. I became concerned about losing my voice.
So, when I came across my old blog posts from the early days, I was reminded of how motivated I was and how good it felt to write untethered to agendas, expectations and judgement. It felt free!
That is how I want to feel when I share with all of you here.
I sort of have a plan:
- Set a clear and positive intention for my writing
- Write more – journaling, blog posts and whatever comes to mind
- Read more great writers
- Continue looking for a writer’s group that feels right for me
If you follow my blog, you will know how it goes. As always, I welcome your feedback.
I’m tempted to ask you a question about your life and provide some tips at this point. It would be the coachy thing to do.
But, I won’t. This blog post is different.
It’s just me. Being free and writing about what’s been on my mind.
Related Posts:
I wish you joy on your freedom-writing!
Thank you, Lynette. Hope all is well in your world these days.