How I Found My Voice as a Writer
From Doubt to Discovery — One Word at a Time
I wasn’t the person who always wrote in a journal or dreamed of publishing a book. I didn’t even know I had a writing voice. But over time, and through a lot of trial and error, I realized that writing was something that helped me — and something I could actually enjoy.
This is my story of how I slowly found my voice as a writer.
The Early Days of Doubt
My journey began in quiet moments — late nights spent journaling my thoughts, or writing long captions under Instagram posts just to make sense of my feelings. It didn’t feel like writing in a professional sense. It felt more like survival. Words were the only way I could sort through the chaos of my mind. But I never thought anyone would want to read them.
At that point, I was more focused on doing the “practical” things — completing my degree, finding a job, and checking the boxes society had laid out for me. Writing was personal, private, and mostly hidden. But even when I wasn’t sure what I was doing with my life, I found myself constantly turning back to words.
I was writing to understand myself.
I Started Writing Just for Myself
At first, it was personal. I would write in my phone’s notes app, or sometimes in a notebook. I never thought about sharing it with anyone. I was just trying to understand myself.
I began writing when I needed a way to clear my mind. Sometimes I felt overwhelmed by life — responsibilities, thoughts, emotions — and writing things down helped. I didn’t write fancy sentences or try to be perfect. I just wrote what I felt.
Finding my voice didn’t happen overnight. It came in pieces — like a puzzle I didn’t know I was solving. Some pieces came from reader feedback. Some came from re-reading my own writing months later and cringing at how forced it sounded. Some came from sitting quietly and asking myself, “What do I really want to say?”
Your voice isn’t something you invent. It’s something you uncover.
I realized that I write best when I’m speaking directly from experience — when I write as though I’m talking to a friend over coffee, not standing at a podium giving a speech. I stopped trying to impress and started trying to connect.
That small mindset shift made a huge difference.
I Was Afraid to Share Anything Online
When I first thought about sharing my writing on Medium or anywhere online, I got scared. What if people laughed at my words? What if I wasn’t “good enough”? What if I made grammar mistakes?
All these thoughts stopped me from publishing anything for a long time.
But one day, I asked myself: What if someone out there is feeling the same way? What if my small story could help even one person? That thought gave me the courage to try.
My First Try Wasn’t Perfect (And That’s Okay)
When I finally wrote something to share, I kept reading it again and again. I fixed every sentence, deleted parts, added new ones. Even after publishing it, I felt nervous. But then I got my first “clap” — and even a kind comment.
That moment made me feel seen. It also showed me that people don’t expect perfection. They just want honesty. And I realized… that’s how I want to write.
What I Learned About My Voice
I used to think a writing “voice” meant having a special style or big vocabulary. But I’ve learned that your voice is just you — how you think, feel, and talk. It comes out naturally when you stop trying to copy others.
My voice is simple. It’s clear, a bit soft, and very honest. I don’t use big words. I write the way I speak. And that’s okay. That’s me.
Everyone’s voice is different. You don’t have to be loud to be heard. You don’t have to be funny or deep all the time. You just have to be real.
What Helped Me the Most
If you’re just starting like me, maybe this will help:
1. Write Like You’re Talking to a Friend
Don’t try to sound too “professional” or perfect. Just explain your thoughts in a natural way.
2. Don’t Wait to Be Confident
I didn’t feel confident when I began. I was unsure and nervous. But writing gave me confidence, not the other way around.
3. Everyone Starts Somewhere
Your first article won’t be perfect — and that’s fine. Every writer was a beginner once.
What I Write About (So Far)
I like writing about simple, real-life things — like learning how to believe in myself, dealing with overthinking, trying to do something creative, or finding peace in daily life.
I don’t have a niche yet. I’m still exploring. And I think that’s okay too.
My Goals for Writing
I want to become more confident in sharing my thoughts. I hope to connect with kind readers and other writers who are also finding their voice. I don’t have a big plan — I just want to grow, step by step.
Maybe someday, my writing will help someone feel less alone. That would mean a lot to me.
Final Thoughts
Writing has become more than just a hobby for me. It’s a way to process life, to connect with others, and to understand myself better. I found my voice by writing through fear, by embracing imperfection, and by remembering that even small stories can have big impact.
And if I can find my voice — so can you.
If you’re new to writing, I want to say: You don’t need to wait until you’re “ready.” You’re ready right now.
Your thoughts matter. Your story matters. Even if it’s small, even if it’s messy.
Writing has helped me feel more like myself. I may not know where this path will lead, but I’m happy to have taken the first step.
Thank you for reading. ❤️
Want to say hi?
You can also read my intro post here:
About Me — Arisha Ahmer
Let’s connect and support each other.
