Stop thinking, start observing
Today marks 51 days since I started writing on this blog with a very clear goal: to write every day, no excuses, for 100 days straight. I’ve crossed the halfway point, and each day is one less until I make it.
It’s been tough for many reasons, but mainly because of the time it takes and the fact that I have to come up with something new to write about every single day.
I’m sure these are the main reasons why so many people abandon their blogs or give up on writing entirely—because it’s hard to have both of these valuable assets at the same time: time itself and ideas to write about.
As for the first one, it’s simple: if you really want to do it, you’ll find the time. Many of the posts on this blog were written at midnight or later, exhausted, fighting off sleep, because adult life and responsibilities made it impossible to write at a reasonable hour.
As for knowing what to write about, that’s the true challenge. That’s actually the skill I wanted to develop with this project: creativity.
Since I committed to writing daily, I’ve become a more observant person. I pay special attention to what’s going on in my head, in my feelings, the conversations I have, the mundane things I do, the content I consume, and how life unfolds around me through my human connections.
I’m learning to see the world through the eyes of a child, and it’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.
I’ve always been a curious person. For example, when I find a band I really like, I look up the people behind the sounds, how they made them, what inspired them, and what they’re trying to tell me through their art.
Now, whenever I have an interesting conversation, I ask tons of questions to understand the other person’s perspective. Now, when I do something, I really think about why I’m doing it and how it impacts not just my life, but the society I’m part of.
Not knowing what to write about stops being a problem when you simply allow yourself to observe, keeping an open mind to everything that’s happening all the time, everywhere.
Stop thinking and start observing. The ideas will come.
If you’re unsure whether your idea is good or bad, just let it out. Write that post that seems boring. Publish that piece where your point doesn’t feel entirely clear. Just put it out there.
Be a witness to how fascinating it is when other people appreciate, understand, and even relate to the thoughts circling in your head.
That’s how simple writing every day can be.
So far, I’ve written posts I thought wouldn’t resonate with anyone—posts I was sure no one would read—and they ended up being some of the most visited. And then there were others I put a lot of effort into, thinking they would connect with people, only for them to go unnoticed, or worse, read by just a couple of people who didn’t even like them.
And yet, both served a purpose. Whether they were liked or ignored, whether people clicked on them in the discovery feed or not, those posts needed to be written so that I could write this one you’re reading now.
And besides, I enjoyed writing those posts. That, for me, is the true purpose of writing: to enjoy this accessible and very meditative activity.
I can say that writing here has stopped feeling like a commitment and has become a habit. And words can’t express how satisfying that feels.
The secret is to do it and keep doing it. You know, that’s the hard part: the keep. Thanks for reading.