Publish Content That Makes You Afraid
Have you ever wondered how many great articles and novels, that could have stirred emotion, inspired or changed lives, have gone unpublished? The answer — too many.
We all, at one point or another, have these ‘eureka’ moments in life. It feels like a new idea has descended from the heavens; an idea that could have been spread to readers far and wide by you and only you. Yet, that idea gets filed away in a drawer inside our brains never to be explored again. Why? Why don’t we take that first step — why don’t we take action? Why don’t we write?
Because we’re afraid. So we hold ourselves back.
The fears people have in life are as diverse as people themselves. Sometimes, we hold ourselves back because we’re worried about ‘putting too much out there’ or because we’re worried about what that one person that we know, whom we don’t even like might I add, is going to think about it. Or it’s that nagging thought that no one would ever read something we’ve written. Other times, it’s because we’re scared of making ourselves vulnerable. We’re scared of opening up.
“I’m afraid I’ll be a book that no one reads. Music that no one listens to anymore. I’m afraid I’ll be abandoned like a movie playing in an empty theatre.”
― Tablo
The truth is that we can free ourselves — we can break down the walls. All it takes is one step; one foot in front of the other. Simply write. Then just once, press ‘publish.’ Put yourself out there. Yes, it’s going to feel daunting at first. But it gets easier. Every day, it will get easier. If you take the plunge, you will soon find yourself writing about a topic that you once felt you could never even revisit in your mind let alone write about.
“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.”
My intention is not to hold myself out as a wise man with all the answers but simply someone who has learnt from experience and is willing to share his story. Yes, I’ve held myself back. I probably had the same reasons that some of you do; I wondered what others might think of what I wrote. Frankly, that thought is crossing my mind as I write this article. Perhaps publishing this is a test to prove to myself that I practice what I preach.
How do I know that if you click ‘publish’ just once then it will get easier the next time? I’ve been through this before. My last article was one in which I sought to start a conversation by sharing my journey of self-reflection and it wasn’t that easy. It’s not something people usually talk about. I nevertheless went ahead and published it. For two reasons. First, I knew that if I did, I would be well on my way to ‘freeing’ myself in order to be able to fully express myself. Secondly, you never know who your words may inspire. You can find it here:
When people who love to write, and want to write, hold themselves back they often need another purpose to push them to write. I think that purpose can be found by looking at the bigger picture. Who benefits from your words? You, yes, of course but, perhaps, those who do more than you are those who read them. How many times have you come across people saying that ‘Book X changed my life’? I’d wager many.
At this point, you may be wondering how your writing could help someone else. It’s no overestimation to say that people read for laughter, inspiration and courage. They are often in search for a better them and are in need of someone to show them how to get there.
Other times, they are simply looking for an escape. The latter may especially be true in the current climate. The world is in a dark place and it needs writers. From Covid-19 and all its consequences to racism, populism, far-right nationalism, poverty, gender discrimination and mental health issues, planet Earth has its fair share of problems. And when spoken words to uplift, advise, encourage and stir change are far and few in between, the mission of written words is that much more important. To quote Uncle Ben from Spiderman “With great power comes great responsibility.”
If this article manages to persuade even one aspiring, or current writer, to write about what they are truly passionate about, then I will consider this a job well done. After all, you have the tools, the intellect, the ability and the talent. You have the power to create change.
It’s important to remember that being afraid is to be human. But don’t be afraid of negative comments, little to no readership or vulnerability but:
For yours and the sake of those who would love to read your words, don’t hold yourself back.
