Summary

The author reflects on the struggle of overcoming writer's block, laziness, and the desire for instant gratification, while contemplating the nature of in-depth writing and the importance of reading and perseverance.

Abstract

The author delves into the psychological hurdles of writing, such as feeling uninspired and battling procrastination, which are often exacerbated by the pressures of deadlines and the overwhelming amount of preparatory reading required for in-depth writing. They acknowledge the tendency to seek instant results and the fear of the daunting first paragraph. The article serves as a self-dialogue on the necessity of embracing the writing process, including the importance of thorough reading and note-taking, and the acceptance of slow progress. The author also grapples with the narcissistic aspects of writing, such as the craving for validation through claps, responses, and followers, while emphasizing the need for persistence in the face of challenges, using their 30-day milestone on Medium as a personal example.

Opinions

The author identifies a personal struggle with laziness and the need for instant gratification, which hinders the writing process.
They recognize the importance of starting the work rather than fixating on the deadline, suggesting that procrastination is a form of taking the writing process for granted.
The author admits to feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of writing an in-depth article, which they equate to undertaking a thorough investigation with multiple layers.
Reading is seen as a critical component of writing, with the author suggesting that one should engage deeply with the text, taking notes to avoid forgetting valuable insights.
There is an acknowledgment of a narcissistic element in writing, as the author notes the desire for external validation in the form of claps and followers.
Despite the challenges, the author advocates for perseverance, highlighting their own experience of not giving up after a month of writing on Medium.

Though to Stop Writing

Have you ever felt like your brain froze, it’s too boring to scroll any available social media, nothing fun to watch, and sleeping was the last option, and yet your eyes just wouldn’t want to close?

This is why sometimes I tried to find a problem with existing objects I find in my surrounding. Perhaps, my mom, my youngest brother, or my cat, Oyen, who happened to hate it if some feet landed on his body. He just straight will bite, it’s very painful. I felt like I need anger or gloom to write something, but it was never with love or dopamine.

There are times when I want to write something in-depth. Perhaps, reviewing a book or movie, just like what I really wanted to do before I felt stuck. Stuck because imagining how overwhelming to open 15 articles regarding how to make a good review.

Why do we want something so instant to happen?

I don’t want to make an excuse for myself by thinking it is okay to be uninspired sometimes. I couldn’t say that because I know I haven’t put everything into the work I choose to drown.

Perhaps, this is a brainstorming article between myself and my brain and the way its hormone works. So, why do I think to stop writing?

A. You don’t want to stop writing. Basically, lazy and uninspired.

Right, I might be lazy but do you realize the way you see the time or the way the clock is ticking? You are too focused on seeing the due dateline. You’re taking a granted the power of just starting your work. You’re thinking about how impossible it is to write in the remaining 3 hours of your today’s schedule.

For that, I will use simpler words. You’re lazy.

No, you’re not inspired. You have something to write but the first paragraph could be a Grim Reaper. It’s a behemoth. I know. But, sometimes 10 minutes of blank paper could be still a blank paper, and let’s consider that as a warm-up.

B. About this In-Depth article you want to write, I mean do you even know the meaning of In-Depth?

Merriem Webster — in-ˌdepth. : covering many or all important points: thorough. an in-depth investigation.

See, you’re just lazy. You are well aware of how complicated this one particular article must have. If you find this version of the problem you must understand the solution is beneath layers upon layers and so on. Sometimes stuck could be a situation when you are unable to find solutions.

C. Read!!! Writing=Reading. Vice Versa.

You mentioned reading 15 articles or even more. So, how about you start to stand up from your chair? Shake your body and yell, if nobody watch you. And remember how many times you’re being lazy and successful to overcome the situation? Yes, it’s a lot.

Don’t just read to finish the article. Let that word of a sentence, or paragraph, appear in your sight as it is about to poke your brain out. Go on, take notes, and grab your pen because you will forget what you’ve just read. So, don’t waste it.

And perhaps you need to watch again the movie you want to review. But, can you do that without suddenly another movie recommendation appearing in your sight and you are going to start binge-watching?

D. You’re a bit narcissistic. All of you.

Exhale.

Well, writing is not inherently joy, is it? We crave claps, responses, and followers. That is all realistic because the way the world works now is thru the number.

You’re not a bad person to think like that. Anyway life itself is bad to bring such harshness to a soul like us, humans. We never even ask to exist. Or demand to breathe.

Again, nothing instant. Perhaps, if luck exists and the quantity of each person is different. Then, what are you going to do? Blaming others beside you? Just remember how long you have doing this activity. Hi, it’s me, I happened to celebrate my 30 days on Medium today. I mean, you’re giving up after 30 days?

So, yeah let’s brew the potion.