If you want to start a blog, journaling practice, or just find a new way to express yourself, this post is for you.
Expressing yourself in any written form can be hard. When you’re spilling all of the beans about your personal life, even if it’s just for your eyes, it can be even harder. BUT, don’t you worry. I’ll share how I shook off my self-doubt, mastered my writing voice, and learned to just let go and write!
Let it All Out
First and foremost, you need to dump everything that you’re thinking about onto a blank page. Go off on a tangent, no matter what time of day or what you’re doing. When inspiration strikes it strikes! Personally, I keep both physical and digital notepads to help me organize my thoughts.
Here are a few of the tools that I use to take notes:
- WordPress: I’ve built my blog on WordPress.org, so directly taking notes into the platform via the WordPress app is one of the fastest ways for me to begin nailing down my posts.
- Notes App: My phone comes with a built-in notes app that I’ve defaulted to using. However, in the past, I’ve used Evernote to organize my thoughts and separate them into various topics. Journey is another great app, that could also double as a diary or daily journal!
- Voice Memo App: If you’d rather speak and talk, then downloading a voice memo app is the way to go. I’ve defaulted to using the Easy Voice Recorder app. It gets the job done and allows me to record quick thoughts, and even use them on my blog if I need to.
As long as you keep it light, and don’t take your notetaking process too seriously, you’ll be okay! For me, my notes reflect me in my rawest form. The best way to remain true to yourself and your voice is to start with an authentic foundation.
Find Your Inspiration
If you’re stuck or don’t know where to start, you can draw your inspirational tangents from just about anything. These include:
- Everyday Life: This is where I live when it comes to my writing. It’s easiest to write about the things you know. If you’re just getting started on your writing journey, try writing about the things that you experience in everyday life first.
- Questions / Common Concerns: If you have skills/experience in a specific topic, and you enjoy talking about it, then you should start writing about it too. The more you write about it, the more of an expert you’ll become as well.
- Creative Writing Prompts: Personally, I use creative writing prompts to cleanse my palate and clear out my brain. If you absolutely can not think of where to start, or you’d rather take your mind off of what you’re writing about for the day, then try a random prompt. I’m almost certain that it’ll spark something in you, and inspire you to continue to grow on your writing journey!
Establish Your Footing
If you choose to blog or write for the public, this is where you convince the people that you know what you’re talking about. AKA this is where you’re confidence shines.
I’m going to go ahead and expose, that I’m a perfectionist, and it absolutely drives me insane! AHHHH. Even I run into roadblocks when I make it to this step, and keeping true to my authentic voice becomes a problem, when I’m focusing on making sure I don’t look silly in front of my friends, family, and whoever else is reading my content.
When establishing my footing, and maintaining my authentic voice, I constantly remind myself:
- Nothing can ever be absolutely perfect. What I do instead, is try to make sure that I smooth out the rough edges that I can control.
- I’m writing my own freaking story! The good thing about writing about your own story is that no one can tell you how to interpret or feel about your life moments. There is absolutely no right or wrong in this situation, so, you’re already winning!
- It’s just me and my diary! When I write I always write as if I’m writing in my own personal diary or talking to my best friend. Having a writing style like this already comes off in a positive way. It indicates a level of self-assurance that is untouchable!
- Take a deep breath, and add a little flare. My flare comes in the form of quotes, pictures, and videos from my experiences. It’s a good way to make my content look pretty, but also adds to the authenticity of my story and my voice!
Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone
Ultimately, in order to become more comfortable with yourself and your writing, you need to step outside of your comfort zone. Above, I listed out the technical ways that you can grow as a writer, but this tip is all about growing via life experiences. I’m a firm believer that you’ll open up and become more of who you’re meant to be when you let go and allow yourself to experience new things.
Don’t know where to start? Start by asking yourself a few questions, such as:
- If I had no obstacles or didn’t care about what others thought, what would I be doing?
- What skill or job do I want to learn next?
- What’s the number one city/country/state on my travel bucket list?
The questions above are just the start of breaking out of your comfort zone. Once you nail down what you want to do, you have to make a manageable game plan. One that works for you! Don’t think too much, and just do it. Start traveling, going to local events, and just experiencing life outside of your comfort zone!
Personally, I’ve created a bucket list and “monthly comfort zone” challenge experiences for myself. You can use mine as inspiration, and start adding items to your own bucket list! A lot of these experiences have also moved to virtual events, so there are no excuses not to get out and experience something new!
Here are a few tools that I’ve used to build my personal bucket list:
- Eventbrite: Eventbrite is one of the largest ticketing websites on the internet. Local and national organizations post all types of events on there. So, go ahead and plug in your location, and browse through all of the events listed.
- Meetup: Meetup is where people from all walks of life organize and set up in-person meetups with other people who have similar interests! I used this website a ton when I moved to another state and needed to get out and just meet new people.
- Bumble BFF: Bumble BFF is my go-to app when I’m taking on new adventures locally or abroad! It’s the fastest way to connect with locals, who know the city or country that you’re visiting. I take their full advice when it comes to eating and exploring the city, BUT I do air on the side of caution when it comes to meeting up with these locals in person!
- Airbnb Experiences: Another great way to fully enjoy a city (even your own local city) is to try out an Airbnb Experience. They’re also hosted by locals, but Airbnb has vetted these experienced hosts, so you’re good to go!
- Creative Mornings Field Trips: Creative Mornings is a national organization with local creative chapters. Each chapter explores and highlights the creative scene of their individual cities. They recently introduced “field trips” that allow members to interact with other creatives in their creative communities with FREE experiences.
- Groupon: Groupon is the first thing I hop on when I’m looking for a discount on an experience or local adventures in my city. Looking for a massage, a skydiving adventure, or a city scavenger hunt? Check Groupon first, because they might just have a discount.
- Skyscanner: Skyscanner is a mega flight search engine and travel agency that scans multiple sources to find the best flight deals. Use it if you ever want to take a spontaneous trip locally or abroad!
Design Your Life of Yes
Also, I’m extremely into the idea of Designing Your Life of Yes! My need to design my life of yes came after I attended a session with the master motivational speaker, Saya.
Her LIfe of Yes virtual experience was like a step-by-step guide on how to step outside your comfort zone, and design a life that works for you. Saya does an amazing job laying out the blueprint for living a life of YES! Check out her TEDx Talk below for a bit of a pep talk, as you begin to think of ways to step outside of your own comfort zone.
