Read This if You Are Struggling to Write Authentically

Your style might be the reason why.

The word authenticity is somewhat of a buzzword these days. It’s touted as the highest level of expression a human can have. Admittedly, I’m drawn to the idea of being as authentic as possible in communication. I favor saying something real over trying to sound smart. I write this today because I realize the desire for authenticity doesn’t always lead to it in practice. Take writing for example. Good writing communicates with the reader. Does that mean we should write what we think others want to read? Here lies the conflict I have with authentic communication. When I write a new article, I wonder if what I am writing is for me or for the reader? Am I writing for clicks and views or am I expressing something to the world? As I reflected on this topic, I came to the conclusion that there is variance in ‘how’ & ‘what’ we write about. When how and what is clear, it becomes much easier to believe that your message is authentic. Satisfying both the reader and the artist's desire to create. The 3 types of writing we will explore:

• Writing to teach
• Writing to express
• Writing to connect

Writing to teach

How to’s, lessons, advice, and “here’s what I learned.” They say teaching is the best way to learn. The main conflict highlighted in this article is the desire to be authentic. When I write articles that offer solutions to people, I have to worry about who I am writing for. I know that the tips I share work for me, but they may not work for others. If that’s the case why share? Because someone out there needs to hear your story. There are so many variations of what we call success. When you find what works for you it may very well be the exact story someone needs to hear.

The evolution of humans has led to the creation of the internet and widespread information sharing. This is a gift because it gives access to more nuanced advice. No longer is it just one group saying ‘this is the way it’s done.

This is why you need to share what it works. No one has all of the answers but collectively we can figure things out. The way to keep this authentic is to talk about what you know. Please keep in mind that you don’t need to be highly renowned or certified to talk about what you know. Experience counts no matter what the capacity is. That’s what it means to be authentic. When a beginner shares their experiences and what helps them, it helps other beginners. Stick to what you know and don’t try to be what your not. I can talk about saving money and growing my wealth because I have. I shouldn’t talk about ‘how to become a millionaire’ because I haven’t done it. It’s hard to overcome that type of authenticity gap.

Writing to express

A feeling, a story, and sharing for the sake of sharing. Are you human or are you a robot? While it is in vogue to optimize human performance a good life has more nuance. There are many shades in between black and white. Writing to teach has to be practical to provide a concise take away for readers. Contrast that with writing to express which is colorful. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m guilty of running full speed toward goals while forgetting to live. This world is filled with beauty. The more we look for it, the more we find it. This is a lesson that I constantly have to remind myself of. It’s the time spent in Nature that encourages this lesson. The trees, flowers, and sky are all expressions of the Earth. There is color and vibrance all around us. It is this beauty that inspires many. To capture the essence of expression one must forgo the inner critic. The inner critic cannot be silenced if we wonder if they will like it. I feel it would be a bit hypocritical of me to offer advice in this area. The authentic expression doesn’t have rules. Creating rules for this type of communication limits it’s potential. It puts a ceiling on the limitless and shapes the shapeless. There are writers that express so freely that we as readers feel what they feel. These are the great poets, musicians, and artists that we all admire. For us to get here ourselves we do need to find courage. The courage to create and share without expectations. After all, how can we express if no one hears us?

Writing to connect

Opinions, creating conversation and sharing big ideas. You know that feeling when you are entrenched in a deep conversation? Your brain seems to light up. Dots start to connect. Soon, you are in a state of flow sharing ideas and building off one another. You are connecting. Conversely, when you adamantly disagree with someone you feel a different type of flow. You start to amass all of the ways this person is wrong. You start to create a counter-argument, tearing their logic wide open. Disagreement creates a connection in a different way. It provides a stage for an exchange on a certain set of topics. This is the core of authenticity. Sharing what you are passionate about. There is lots of feeling in this type of writing. In this way, authenticity happens naturally through the passion of an opinion or an idea. That doesn’t mean it’s easy. I’ve noticed that I’ve shied away from this type of writing. I’m asking myself why because it is something that I’d like to do more of. To do this well, one must be willing to share an idea. When I write, I want others to read so I often think about what do people want to read? In a way, I’m chasing viewership. I want the time that I invest in writing to pay off in some way. There is a balance though. What about sharing ideas that are personally meaningful? I’d like to explore this more in future pieces. As humans, we need ideas, not just re-iterations of familiar concepts such as productivity, self-improvement, happiness, etc. They are fine, but there is more potential in our brains than the practical. I hope to share more ideas with you all in the future.

Final Take Away

Writing authentically can be hard, but not if you are clear on what you want to say. The key is to not try to be too many things at once. If you have something to teach- teach. If you desire to express yourself- do it courageously. If you want to connect — share an opinion, idea, or thought with full conviction. At the end of the day, the style doesn’t matter as much as the intention. If you find yourself struggling to be authentic, ask yourself who are you writing for and why? This will give you the clarity you need to write with the potential you know you are capable of.