Why do we read? Why do we choose certain articles or books? Is it because we seek solutions to our problems, or are we simply scrolling, hoping for inspiration to strike?
For a long time, I admired the idea of writing—creating something meaningful that could express my thoughts or help others. But when I actually tried to write, I struggled. Every sentence felt off. This sounds weird. This isn’t right. This doesn’t fit. These thoughts kept holding me back.
The more I doubted myself, the harder writing became. When I was 11, my teacher often praised my essays, telling me they were thoughtful. She even guided me to improve my writing so I could score higher. Writing felt effortless back then.
But now, 12 years later, I find myself stuck. No matter how hard I try, I don’t know what to write. I tell myself, It’s just writing—it doesn’t matter. It won’t change anything, so why bother?
As time passed, I stopped reading, stopped learning new things, and got consumed by TikTok, video games, and social media. I neglected my well-being—my health, my skin, my self-care. I lost my sense of purpose and withdrew from caring about others.
The Turning Point
Things changed when I moved to a new city. Looking back, I realize how much our environment and the people around us influence our lives. Suddenly, I was alone, commuting to work alone, and spending time at home alone, because my sister was often away. It was a new place, unfamiliar and unsettling. Unlike before, I couldn’t just do things freely as I would at home.
During this period, I started reading again. I began questioning my purpose, what I truly wanted, and why I still felt lonely despite being surrounded by people.
It wasn’t easy to focus on books after years of scrolling through endless social media content. My attention span had shrunk. But I pushed through. The first book I picked up was Atomic Habits by James Clear. I forced myself to read at least three times a week because I knew myself too well—if something felt difficult or boring, I would likely quit.
But I’m glad I persisted. I ended up reading five books in a year. It may not sound like much, but for someone like me, who had abandoned reading for so long, it was an achievement to be proud of.
Then, I noticed something strange: Even when I read books and find powerful insights, I still forget them over time.
I highlighted key sentences. I flipped back through pages whenever I wanted to refresh my memory. But it wasn’t enough. The ideas faded.
That’s when I realized the importance of writing.
We don’t need to memorize everything we read, but we do need to capture and apply the lessons that matter. Writing is how we process and retain knowledge. It helps us take abstract ideas and make them real. If we don’t put our thoughts into words, they remain fleeting—lost among the endless distractions in our minds.
Writing isn’t just about recording information; it’s about understanding and shaping our own thoughts. When we write, we give structure to our ideas. We uncover patterns, clarify confusion, and make sense of our experiences.
More importantly, writing allows us to express ourselves. It’s a way to document personal growth, reflect on emotions, and even inspire others. Whether it’s journaling, storytelling, or simply jotting down ideas, writing is a powerful tool for self-discovery.
So, I decided to write—not to impress anyone, but to express my thoughts and make sense of the world. I started writing about what I learned, what I felt, and what I wanted to remember.
I’m still working on improving my writing skills, but I’m glad I took the first step. Writing has helped me rediscover my curiosity, my purpose, and my ability to learn and grow.
And that, to me, is the true meaning of writing.