How did you become a writer? I get asked that question a lot. But, I also think it’s important for people or people who are aspiring writers to know—why I became a writer. I love to share how (which I do in my upcoming debut book Bloom: How to Get from Good Enough to a Life You Love), but even more so, I love sharing the why. Because why I became a writer is filled with so much passion and purpose. 

Why I became a writer was not only to share my craft with the world, but to inspire, motivate, and change the world for the greater good. I wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of readers, while my words fuel their souls. Also, it’s because it makes me feel whole, and it’s a part of who I am. It’s therapy, fulfilling, and it makes my heart happy when I see my byline in print. 

(If you’ve ever had an adrenaline rush—it’s kind of like that.)

Have you ever picked up a book, magazine, or read something online that was so meaningful and profound that it changed your life? It changed your life in the best way possible and allowed you to press the reset button? Or it moved you in such a way that it shifted your mindset? Maybe it helped you push past your pain towards the process of healing? Gave you the extra push that you’ve been yearning to have for years, months, or even decades? 

That’s the kind of impact that I want my words to have on the world. I’ll be remiss to say sharing my writing with the world initially was easy because, unfortunately, it was not. I was operating from a place of fear, and I talk about that more in my book, too. 

Related Reading: How I Overcame My Fear of Freelance Writing.

I had this deeply rooted belief that I was perpetually not enough and not good enough.  

It’s funny. It took me a long time to discover exactly why I wanted to become a writer. All I knew was I liked it. And I also knew there had to be something more to this thing of stringing words together on a page. But, as I searched for deeper meaning as to how I could use my writing abilities to help better myself, find myself, bloom into who I was, help, and connect with others, that’s when I gained so much insight and clarity. I no longer felt like “I just liked it,” and that was it. There was a significant purpose in my written words. 

My realization, the moment I understood that I was devoted to, committed to, bound to, this identity as a writer unleashed something so gratifying and electrifying. No longer was I going to disregard it. I had the freedom to spew words out into the world that others actually enjoyed reading. 

I write to declutter my mind to see clearly through the eyes of the world. I write to relate to people. I write to freeze special moments in time that I can keep safe and tucked away. I write to educate. I write to entertain. I write to motivate and encourage. 

But most importantly, I write because who am I not to share my thoughts. Who am I to discard my passion, and it’s purpose. Who am I not to do what sets my soul on fire. 

I am a writer, as I am me, because of me and you—I became a writer.