I Stopped Writing. Here’s What I Learned.

It’s been well over a year since I wrote for this blog, more than two since I posted regularly. But here I am, writing on a random Friday because I’ve missed it. Somehow, though, I don’t regret the time of silence.

There is something special about a season of silence. It’s a time to step back, learn lessons, reflect on growth, and write purely for yourself and your own enjoyment. For me, been a time to reflect on why I love writing and what it does for me.

I’ve learned many lessons about myself, about others, and about putting my confidence in who I am instead of what I do. Today, I’d like to share a few of those lessons with you.

Whether or not you are a writer, I hope you can find some comfort in these thoughts like I have.

1. Unpublished Writing is Vital

I’ve written hundreds of pages over the last year, most for my eyes only. I’ve written full-length articles, just to come to a screeching halt and never pressing “publish.” Oddly enough, these are the paragraphs and pages that reminded me how much I love to write.

Writing helps me process intense emotions. Writing helps me comprehend confusing concepts. Writing helps me express serious concerns. To me, writing and thinking are nearly inseparable.

And when no one else reads it, perfectionism can’t steal my enjoyment of the process. I can write a poem with a line that doesn’t rhyme; it still puts words to the deepest pain I have felt. I can write a page with a missing link in my logic; it still helps me organize the onslaught of thoughts in my head. I can mess up my punctuation and grammar and write freely; it still helps me express the things I am learning.

There is beauty in the hard work of writing, but there is beauty in the messy side of writing as well, in the realm of unpublished words.

Because of those hundreds of unpublished pages, my academic assignments and paid articles have not had the chance to drain my love for writing.

So write what you must, but never forget to write for yourself.

2. Growth Requires Time and Work

Writers often see themselves as teachers.

You may be teaching an academic topic or teaching your own life lessons, but it often feels like teaching nonetheless.

In order to teach, though, writers must first learn, and learning (sadly) requires trial-and-error and often takes much more time than expected (Grueling, I know. I wish I could snap and produce growth instantaneously).

If you find yourself giving out advice like candy, take a moment to reflect on the last time you gave yourself time to learn and grow. Sometimes when I wrote articles on this blog, I didn’t give myself time to absorb the lessons I was learning (AGH why can’t foresight be as clear as hindsight?!).

In an article on authentic Christian writing, John Piper says that writers should let their message and topic “sink in” before picking up the pen. He encourages Christian writers to “see truly and savor duly the reality you intend to show through writing,” for “great writing is about great reality — clearly seen, and greatly felt.”

Great writing is about great reality–clearly seen, and greatly felt. – John Piper

Help yourself grow by giving yourself the grace to take time to truly learn the lessons ahead of you. It’s OK if it takes more time than you expected (in fact, you can count on it taking more time than you expected).

3. Priorities Change, and That’s OK (But You Will Always Come Back to What You Love)

This blog was my primary focus and hobby for several years. It helped me hone my skills and recognize my love for writing. Now, though, I find myself writing in different contexts and for different reasons, and taking advantage of different opportunities than in the past.

And that’s ok.

Some projects and hobbies may only last for a season, and some have to gather some dust on the shelf while you complete more urgent tasks. If you find yourself in a period of silence like I have, remember that you are no less of a writer because of it, and that you will always come back to what you love.

You may be burnt out. You may have no time in your day. You may have even developed a newfound fear of the ominous blank page.

Just because you leave something for a season, though, doesn’t mean you will never return.

In the meantime, write for yourself, give yourself time to grow, and be patient as your priorities fluctuate. Take advantage of the opportunities in front of you, and remember none of this is going to waste. You are growing your depth of character, even if your writing style is in a bit of a plateau.

Much love to you all,

Rachel