"Write like nobody’s watching, because nobody’s watching."

Seems easy enough, right? And yet, it is one of the biggest barriers to overcome when you sit down and try to extract words from your brain. But what if I told you there was a place somewhere, in the depths of your mind, where nothing and no one can reach you? A sanctuary that varies with the seasons, with the passing of time. It can offer you a velvety surface to lay on, or wage a war against you. However, its core trait remains steadfast—it remains inviolable, impervious even to the sharpest spears and mightiest swords. That safe space is called writing, and it is the only fortress you can always rely upon. The fear you may feel whenever you find yourself staring at a blank page? It is nothing more than a demon standing on your shoulder, taunting you. Yet, rest assured, it does not exist. In this article, I am going to show you why.

What writing is all about

The shelter writing offers is not exclusive to self-proclaimed artists. It is an intrinsic property accessible to everyone. Delve into the essence of writing, and you'll discover that it knows no exclusions. From the dawn of history, writing has been the main medium of communication among people. In fact, history, as we know it, began with the advent of the first written records. This goes to show that writing isn't merely a 'want'; it's one of humanity's most fundamental 'needs’. Beyond communication, writing is perhaps the greatest tool when it comes to introspection and self-discovery. When you put your feelings into words, however tangled and messy they may be, you will gain a deeper understanding of what’s going on in your mind and it will help you process all the emotions whirling in your chest. Venturing into this safe space, you're met with a patch of untamed land. Despite some initial intimidation, you will soon come to realise that this terrain knows no bounds. It's a universe of infinite potential, a realm where possibilities never end. Begin by laying simple word-foundations; build castles with paragraphs; watch as that patch of land evolves into a kingdom—a realm crafted with the artistry of your imagination. If you have the power to determine the way your realm turns out, who has the right to determine its worth?

The quality of your writing increases

As you step into the realm of writing, it is essential to set aside self-doubts. The moment external expectations breach the fortress, an insidious pressure takes over your kingdom that suffocates self-expression. Strangers enter your sanctuary, you feel eyes watching you and shadows of criticism slither in. When you realise that writing is not only about pleasing others and conforming to societal norms, everything flows much more freely. Creativity floods your brain like a raging river. By liberating ourselves from the restraints of perfectionism, we allow ourselves to experiment with new techniques, unburdened by impossibly high standards. This gives us a chance to channel our unique voice and perspective onto the page.

Psychological benefits

Whenever you step into the fortress of writing, you are not just going in with the intention to hone a skill. Whether you like it or not, writing is a journey, and words are not mere pieces to arrange a lifeless puzzle. Don’t let that scare you, though, that’s the most beautiful part of the process. Let go of inhibitions and you’ll realise how liberating writing can be. It gives you an opportunity to access the deepest and most sacred chambers of your soul. They can be cozy or dark, but writing your pen won’t judge. No one is there to spy on you. Write like nobody’s watching and a huge weight will instantly lift off your chest. By letting go of self-consciousness, words will come with authenticity and passion, becoming a reflection of our innermost feelings and thoughts. When you communicate from a place of vulnerability and honesty, you will not only enrich the quality of your work, but also touch the hearts of your readers. Through this kind of catharsis, your wings will slowly grow strong enough to navigate every storm, carrying you to unimaginable heights.

My experience

Despite having made my view on this topic abundantly clear, I must acknowledge that my current mindset wasn’t the one I embraced throughout my entire writing journey. In my earlier days, when I still couldn’t write, I already had the desire to put into words my own stories and feelings. Obviously when you’re four it’s rather hard to go ahead and write pages and pages, so I would tell them to my mother and make sure that she wrote down everything I told her. It was nothing more than a bunch of dreams I had, modified based on my imagination. But that urge to write never left me, so when I bought my first journal it didn’t last longer than a week. I filled it up with notes, characters, fantastical worlds and incredible adventures. I didn’t care about the quality of it. I wrote as if nobody could watch me, because I knew that nobody would. Nevertheless, the word ‘author’ entered my thoughts and I realised that maybe I was meant to be one, that I was supposed to write for a potential audience. And that’s when magic was replaced by dread. My keyboard became my arena and a spectral lion watched my every move, ready to shred my story to pieces and feast on my errors. But whenever I turned around, the lion wasn’t there. I could write the most chaotic flow of thoughts and no one would sink their teeth into me for it. As if by the power of a switch, something snapped within me. I wasn’t wasting my talent, I wasn’t losing my passion. I was just catering instead of offering. I was catering to an audience that didn’t exist yet, instead of offering them whatever was inside me, whatever made me special or ordinary. All it took was writing as if nobody was watching, getting through the first draft as fast as possible, allowing minimal time for self-sabotage, writing the speed of thought. In this process, I found my voice, my characters came to life and my fear subsided, if only momentarily. As you read this, I hope my journey resonates with you, so that my struggle can help you slay the demon haunting your creative path. Being afraid of writing is just like being scared to take a leap of faith on a mattress. Embrace the joy and magic that comes with the whole process and learn to value the journey more than the destination itself. Writing is a deeply personal and liberating experience, and you should never allow external opinions and expectations ruin that for you. So pick up a pen or pull out your keyboard. Your journey is only about to begin. In the end, the key to offering your true essence to your readers is to write like nobody’s watching. Because nobody’s watching.