20 Comments
User's avatar
Accidental Monster's avatar

I had this same revelation a couple of months ago. My writing spirit had just dried up. I didn't want to anymore. Can you imagine?! Not want to write?? Crazy. Then I realized how obligatory it was. Only the best words were allowed out. In time, I questioned everything before getting it on the page. No wonder the words stopped wanting to play.

When I let myself write exactly what I was thinking, consequences be damned, the wellspring burst open again. Well, until last week but that's just burnout and health issues. Everyone needs a break sometimes. Without the obligation weighing me down, I'm looking forward to writing again when my break is over. And that feeling is priceless. 💕

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

Yes! Obligatory writing is writing we want to get away from. Enjoy!

Expand full comment
Niki Manavi, FGP, FNC's avatar

Nice!

Expand full comment
Xhoni (alias Joachim) Lindenau's avatar

Dear AM/Joe-Kwame,

it is this diving deep into memories, blockings of your inner self - unworked truth and amicably, lovingly enbrace what and who you are. Take off your mask and become a friend to yourself and what ever happened to you before. Your past is the fundament (-->foundation) of your existence. The ground you build your house of existence upon. Look within - not without.

Moving away from the flesh's existence on Earth opening Transcendental Space. As spiritual teacher Nisar Gadatta Maharaj said: /quote "when we look within and see we are nothing, that is Wisdom. When we look without and see "I am Everything" that is Love. Between within and without Life turns. / unquote. Finding "Nothing" being "Everything" (Universal Existence) is bringing Relief, Freedom, Happiness -> waking up.

Discipline, Courage and Fortitude are the driving forces keeping you going.

Namasté, Joe-Kwame

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

Great stuff Joe!

Expand full comment
Xhoni (alias Joachim) Lindenau's avatar

Thank You, Alex 🐘🌍🧘🏼‍♂

Expand full comment
Sathish's avatar

It really chamged the perspective of how I should see writing. Thanks Alex

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

thanks!

Expand full comment
Piritta Paija's avatar

Art doesn’t born when forced. It comes out naturally.

And when it does, it just flows without even trying. Words to the paper or images to the screens.

Below is. one of my short stories, if you’d like a brief escape from reality:

https://theoddshortstories.substack.com/p/are-dreams-actually-real

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

👌🏼👌🏼

Expand full comment
Qi Bing SIA's avatar

Writing things you want is EXTREMELY important. For better or worse, the only person that will appreciate your work is first and foremost, YOURSELF. First satisfy yourself, then think about the world. Not the other way around. Just a little thought. Thanks for sharing!

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

Love that

Expand full comment
Tim J. Schröder's avatar

Crazy, how much of a difference it can make, if we change a little word.

But I never use the word "should" for writing, because I actually want to write, even if it's been a busy day (and I couldn't write in the morning for whatever reason).

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

well then you're a lucky man Tim!

Expand full comment
Pratz's avatar

I love the perception of accepting that it's okay to write poorly. That can obviously be refined later. Enjoyment is the key.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

exactly!

Expand full comment
Landon Poburan's avatar

This is also the reason I transitioned to writing and away from other mediums. But this feels fun, where video/etc felt much more like work.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

Writing has a very low barrier to entry - that's why I love it.

Expand full comment
Susan Harley's avatar

Thanks Alex, I needed this reframe this morning….Yeah, I get to write today, hurrah 🎉

It seems so easy to slip into obligation, even though I don’t need to.

Expand full comment
Alex Mathers's avatar

so true - glad it helped!

Expand full comment