There are many things that I say to myself to get out of writing a blog post.
“I have nothing to write about.”
“My life is completely and utterly uninteresting.”
“First I need to go read some blog-writing articles!”
But I think the most deep-seated fear that I have about writing is that it’s vulnerable. It’s not just for me; it’s put out in the open, awaiting other eyes to assess its value. Or even, it’s just so bad that it’ll fade into obscurity, unbeknownst to anyone but me. I’m more scared of the former than the latter.
Writing in any public space is scary. You have to acknowledge that, whether you’re a popular blog or not, you will have an audience. And they have the freedom to say whatever they may about your words.
I would argue that this scariness, this seemingly idea of inviting criticism, is important. No matter who you are, when you write about yourself, you’re vulnerable. I think this vulnerability is what makes us human, what makes so many blogs so amazing. Letting down your natural protective barriers is what makes intelligent, open conversation possible – something we need so much more of. Imagine if we all sounded like robots, if we pretended to be mechanical, perfect, happy people. Sure, we’d be perfect. But we wouldn’t be real either. The freedom to express yourself without fear is so important. So pick up your pens and write boldly, think optimistically, publish recklessly. Because this is about you!
No matter how many excuses my mind brings forth whenever I want to write, there’s still this inner voice inside me that says, “Let me out! Let me be heard!”
And as Horton says in Horton Hears a Who:
Where my ladies at? 