Serendipity may have a sense of humor.
As the world runs toward AI writing and video-first strategies, I’m over here like “yea, I think now’s a good time to go hard on this writing thing.”
And I really do believe that.
I don’t think or worry about human writing going anywhere. It’s just evolving and expanding in scope, opportunity and efficiency.
New technologies are always defining and redefining our human story. So may as well learn how to use it.
As one of my favorite Japanese proverbs goes:
The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.
But this is another topic for another day.
This is my first Medium post (but not my first lexical rodeo). I’ve been writing online for the past ~4 years on a personal blog.
I like it. It’s cathartic.
It’s nice.
But I never considered myself a writer. Until recently, when it dawned on me: “uhh dude, you’re a writer.”
I mean, I’ve always been an artist — songwriting, painting, photos…making random things — but authorship? Me?
Well, this is how I accidentally became a writer (and how it changed my brain).
Let’s get to it.
How I (Accidentally) Became A Writer
I started writing because I wanted a blog.
My intentions were purely entrepreneurial. I wanted to create passive income.
I wanted to make some of that sweet sweet internet loot.
I suppose this is still a goal — because writing is a great way to do that (which I plan to talk more about) — but it’s not front and center anymore.
Sometimes you think you’re walking in one direction toward some destination, only to look up and realize you missed a couple turns and could’ve taken a train.
I missed the mark on my first writing escapades.
I didn’t think about my audience. I didn’t write from personal experience. And I wasn’t spending my time efficiently — chasing all the wrong things.
But I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.
As you know, learning, success, growth…these things come from taking a few wrong turns.
It’s like traveling in a new country alone. It’s an adventure.
So I’ve learned to expect a few missteps (and a few more awkward moments).
As for my first years writing online, it was merely a means to an end. But I got better at it.
And then I started having more fun with it.
Only recently has it evolved into being a staple in my life. Only recently have I embodied this persona of writer.
Only recently have I actually accidentally become a writer.
I started this journey with zero creative intentions or goals.
But whoops, I guess I fell in love.
Why I’m Sharing On Medium
Nowadays, one of my core end goals is to inspire and connect with more awesome people across the globe (like yourself).
So here I am — on Medium.
I think this is a place that allows for more creative flexibility and more community.
My writing here won’t be as SEO-focused as my personal blog, which “should” make things more creative and visceral.
I like to separate at least some of my crafts from metrics and money. I do what I can to monetize elsewhere, so I can create more freely — free from expectations, “best practices” and algorithms.
I like to travel, make music, blog and capture things with a camera.
I leverage these experiences in much of my writing, which includes:
- Growing and monetizing a personal/creative brand
- Productivity
- Culture, language and travel
- Creativity and mindset
So if these things behoove you (as they behoove me), I’d love to have you join me in the journey.
But before wrapping up this post, let’s look at how writing has changed my brain and way of thinking.
(you know, for a little inspiration)
Writing Changed My Brain Thing (Here’s How)
I feel rewired.
I see things differently and I approach life with a new stride.
Writing changed my brain.
Writing, creating…any art really…is utterly fascinating. You’re taking some abstract idea from some abstract stream of consciousness and turning it into some tangible reality. It’s sort of like magic.
I’m not the first person to share the benefits of putting pen to paper, but this is my experience (for what it’s worth).
Here’s how writing changed my brain:
- I think and speak more succinctly (cutting the fluff is a skill)
- I organize my thoughts and arguments better
- I make more connections (from research and writing on various topics)
- I’m more creative (writing is a new outlet for me)
- Everything looks like an SEO opportunity or a potential story
- My word bank repertoire has expanded (makes me feel quite ebullient!)
- I’m more patient
- I’ve become more self aware and conscious of my thoughts and ideas
- I’m more confident
- I’m more in tune with my emotions and stuff
So how about you, intrepid reader?
What’s your creative outlet?
What changes your brain?
