Almost Giving Up On My Creativity Saved Me

Becoming a writer, take 137.

Photo by Mason Kimbarovsky on Unsplash

OK. Maybe it didn’t take me exactly 137 takes. Still, if you take a look at the current state of my Medium profile and browse through the titles of my stories, you’d probably think they were written by close to 137 different writers.

I don’t think I’m the only one. I think it’s probably a common theme amongst freelance writers to try out 1000 different niches before one finally sticks. In my case, I also had to try out and learn 1000 different skills because that’s just the way my brain works, it doesn’t sit still for even a second. It’s a miracle I’m able to have a meditation practice.

Truth is, for the longest time, I thought something was wrong with me. I read so many articles, watched so many inspirational YouTube videos, followed so many self-proclaimed creativity and success gurus on Instagram and TikTok… Yet, I seemed to be unable to put into practice all the advice they said was simple.

Choose a niche + find your voice + speak your truth + write every day = 6-figure income.

Was I really this screwed up? Was the whole world able to do this except me? What’s wrong with me?

Even the times I gave it my all and thought I was finally pulling it off, I’d soon find out that nope, this was just another detour — another curvy road my mind took me on in a desperate attempt to keep me away from this truth as long as possible.

By now you’re probably wondering “Wait, what truth?” Before you start expecting some incredible, groundbreaking and earth-shattering revelation, let me just tell you it’s something you probably heard about a gazillion times so… Prepare yourself for something quite anti-climactic.

My 137 takes to becoming a writer

Initially, what brought me to freelance writing about 5 years ago was the intention to create an online presence and build my own “artist brand”.

Soon after, I discovered Medium, and reading some beautiful stories by incredible writers here inspired me to get out of my comfort zone and start to write about more personal experiences.