Why I write

Intellectual Banter: Episode #12

Welcome to the 5 new members of our tribe who have joined us since Saturday. If you’re new or missed the last edition, catch up here. And thank you for giving me your time, I appreciate it.

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What’s up folks!

4 days to go till we reach the mid-way point for this year.

It’s hard to believe that 6 months have passed already. It seems like yesterday that I quit my job and started writing on Twitter. I’ve much to reflect upon and will be sharing in a subsequent edition.

Instead of the month end review, I have a short update to share today.

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Why I write

After writing and publishing 40 short essays in January, I decided to continue writing for the foreseeable future.

6 months into this experiment, I’ve had many ups and down (I’m talking to you, my crazy mind). From feeling like an imposter who has no right to share, to overthinking punctuations in my sentences. And feeling the elation of the most unexpected piece being received well (how!?).

I can now say that writing online is the single best habit you can build in 2022.

Writing is at the core of the internet itself (even YouTube videos need scripts).

But it’s hard work - you have to constantly wrestle with your thoughts and acknowledge all that you don’t know. Shit can get uneasy at times.

So it’s good to remember why you started in the first place.

Here is why I write:

Selfish reasons:

1. To learn new things

2. To combat “boredom”

3. To improve my thinking

4. To build an online business

5. To overcome my fear and grow

Selfless reasons:

1. To teach those behind me

2. To inspire one person into action

3. To make one person feel less alone

4. To solve one person’s real-world problems

Avoiding oblivion: the most selfish one

1. I write for my children (and their children)

2. I write to not be forgotten after my time is done

3. I write to leave my mark on the digital ether for posterity

Why do you write?

(And if you don’t, why? Maybe I can help.)

With a laptop more than a pen (but that’s harder to draw)

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Something James wrote

Atomic Habits has sold 8 million copies worldwide.

James Clear is a household name by now. And for good reason - I’ve used the concept of environment design and habit stacking to much success.

He’s built his entire business by consistently writing online for years. 

He talks about his motivation for writing in this beautiful short essay.

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Un-chuckle worthy quote

 I’m writing my story so that others might see fragments of themselves - Lena Waithe

I’ve made more new friends this past 6 month than I have in the past 6 years.

Simply because I wrote online and shared a piece of myself. And others saw parts of themselves reflected in me and reached out. It’s been incredible.

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Until next week

You and I will chat again next weekend.

Till then, have a kick-ass week! And I’d love to know your reasons for writing (or not). Feel free to share via a comment or email.

Until next week,

Adi

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PS: As always, suggestions are always welcome. So hit that reply button, comment on the website or book a call if you want to chat! I’d love to hear from you.