I’ve fallen into the trap of consumption. I create less, and I’ve strayed from writing as the foundational form of communication. Writing underpins everything in society, and it should be part of your personal, daily habits.
I used to be a prolific writer. In fact, that’s my formal educational background. No other activity is better for personal thought, reflection, learning, development, and growth than writing. It’s foundational to society and culture and stands the test of time.
In general, I think people are trending away from writing altogether. It’s easier to create and consume videos. Writing is a massive investment in time. We need to see a culture shift in the value of writing.
Writing has value that exists within the act itself – independent of audience, likes, or discovery. Writing is worthwhile for its own sake, and that’s the cultural shift we need to champion. Show people the intrinsic value of writing.
So where do you start? The answer depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Are you writing for yourself or for an audience? Do you want to keep your thoughts private or share them with the world? Both paths have value, and both serve different purposes in your writing practice.
I think people are moving more private in their writing, which is where Day One excels. I’ve restarted my use of Day One for personal journaling. I want to capture more of my daily life privately and see the journey of my family.
If you want to be public and get discovered, then blog. That takes a great amount of vulnerability, though. WordPress has democratized publishing. It’s easier than ever to share your thoughts with the world. You get to be your own author, editor, and publisher. You get to invite people into your writing and start meaningful conversations. I’ve been using WordPress for this very reason, to write more.
This is my mantra for 2026: write more, consume less. I’m going to do more writing in the open, and WordPress gives me the space to publish my thoughts to everyone but on my terms. Not for the metrics, not for discovery, but for what writing does for me. For the clarity it brings. For the understanding it creates. For the person it helps me become.