Actually Do It

Earlier this week, I was at the psychiatrist, and he said something that stuck with me. I was going for my twice-a-year check-up. (If you've read my Elite Daily article, you know I've struggled with OCD for a while, so now I take medicine for it. My quality of life has increased so much I can't even put it into words. If you feel like you're struggling in a similar way, please see a psychiatrist or a therapist!)

I like my psychiatrist a lot, because he seems super interested in my career (even though, I guess, it's his job to be). I was telling him all about the writing I'm doing, and all the new books and projects I'm working on, and what I'm planning to release when. He said, "I know a lot of people who are interested in writing, and really want to do it. And they probably can do it. But you're the only one I know who actually does it."

At first I was like, "Aw, thanks," but then I thought more about it. I know tons of people who are actually writing, but that's because I'm a part of tons of writing organizations and critique groups, and because I spend my free time reading Twitter threads about writing, and watching writing-advice/book-review vlogs on YouTube. I guess, for each of us that is spending all this time actively writing, and aggressively trying to make a name for ourselves, there are a thousand more people who want to write, and who are interested in it, but don't know where to start.

Shia LeBeouf can inspire us all.

So, I want to give this advice to everyone who's interested in writing: actually do it.

I know that advice probably sounds really stupid and obvious, but how often are we apprehensive about starting something, for fear of failure? How often do we hold back from pursuing our true passions, because other things--day jobs, chores, family, errands, whatever--seem more important in the short-term?

If you're interested in writing, but you haven't started a book, or haven't written any articles, or haven't started a blog, or haven't written stories for your own enjoyment, do it.

I won't say "write every day," because I hear that advice way too much, and I don't think it applies to everyone. Everyone's writing process is different. Some people write on Mondays, edit on Tuesdays, brainstorm on Wednesdays, then write again on Thursdays...I don't know. 

But you do need to find a plan that works for you. Make a schedule. Set some goals for yourself. Do you want to get your first article published by the end of the year? Do you want to finish your first draft of a novel by your 30th birthday? Or, are you partway through a lot of things, and want to release your first book by a certain date?

Make yourself a timeline. Set goals. 

And then DO IT.

Happy Friday!

Love,
Savy