Advice I’m giving to myself, but you’re welcome to it too.

I’ve been feeling a lot of impostor syndrome lately, and it’s crushing my desire to write.

I keep comparing myself to other writers. I admire how well their words flow, the visions they create, and the message they convey.

I sit down to begin a piece, and I ask myself, “Why bother?”

Instead of getting in my own way, I’m embarking on a challenge to quit trying so hard. 

I encourage you to do the same.

It starts by letting go of impostor syndrome. We all have our unique writing style and voice.

Let your voice be heard. 

Whether one person reads your work or 100 people do, just stop trying so hard. Remember why you started writing in the first place.

It’s because you enjoy it.

I’ve been writing for decades. 

Journaling has been a constant. I have written essays and research papers for my bachelor’s and two masters’ degrees. I wrote a health and wellness column for a small newspaper for two years. I put a collection of essays together to self-publish a book. I have written and published more than 400 pieces here on Medium.

Have I done it to attempt to become a famous writer? No.

Then why am I trying so hard and being so hard on myself?

For the life of me, I have no idea.

I bet you don’t either.

I want to challenge us to write, because we love it. Write because we discover more about ourselves. Write because someone in the world needs to hear our voice. 

And simply, write without trying so hard to be like others.

Until next time, Cheers!