Why keep writing?
Good question.
I guess a natural follow up question is: Why did you start in the first place?
My thoughts on it:
- "Writing to learn": I believe that writing is a great way to learn.
- It sorts floating thoughts somewhere. Sure, could be private notes. Could be a physical notepads. Could be voicenotes. But since I make web pages for a living, a simple blog seems like a decent fit.
- Practice. Writing is a core skill that never goes out of date, and always will be relevant. And writing a blog practices that writing-muscle.
- Learning to let go. Clicking that "publish" button might not mean much. After all, I can probably count on one hand the readers of this post. Still, it feels like a massive hurdle. And because "caring less what others think" is a personal goal of mine, writing and pressing publish aligns well with that. The uncomfort is just proof that I still care too much.
- As Steve Jobs said: "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.". Having some dots written down and timestamped will make it easier for future-you to connect them.
I know, not a great list, but enough to keep me at it for now.
"Writing is easy. You only need to stare at a blank piece of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead"
– Gene Fowler