How to Start Writing When You Don’t Feel Ready

One thing all fools have in common.

Many people have this fear of start publishing. We’re used to reading eloquent openings in our favorite pieces that, when we sit down in front of a blank page, we freeze. It feels like we have nothing to say—in that moment, we can’t find anything inside us that shines. We want to start with the perfect idea, the perfect opening, the perfect first post. We want our first attempt to be a masterpiece that clearly explains who we are and what we do.

I’m no different. For weeks, I’ve been disciplined about writing every day. I've been filling my notes, connecting ideas, and watching other people post their thoughts in their newsletters. I told myself that, due to life’s circumstances, I would start publishing in August. And yet, here we are. That date, which once seemed far off, is here—and I’m still making excuses to postpone the dreaded starting point. This Sunday came too quick, and honestly, I didn’t feel ready to write.

It’s a comfortable trap, isn’t it? The feeling of being busy—reading books, watching videos, taking notes—without ever actually producing anything. We tell ourselves we're learning and preparing. But like Seneca said:

“The one thing all fools have in common: they are always getting ready to live.” — Seneca

So here I am, in a hotel room, away from my perfect routine and ideal conditions. Writing this for one reason only: I promised myself I would do it. Only with this level of commitment do we give ourselves a real chance. Only by publishing regularly are we able to move forward, to improve, to start connecting the dots and gain the skill needed to make it feel more seamless each time, better each time.

It’s like that with everything in life. There are no shortcuts or secrets. There isn’t a single skill that doesn't require commitment. In the end, it's the consistent one who prevails—the ones with determination.

Your first post doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, it’s better if it isn’t. No one is reading yet. That gives you the freedom to experiment, to find your voice, and to get that first, awkward attempt out of the way. The momentum you gain from that single act is worth more than a thousand hours of "getting ready."

Sometimes we compare ourselves to other writers who are further along in their journey. When we do this, it's easy to get overwhelmed and paralyzed. This kills our creativity. We start thinking too far ahead and forget to focus on where we are right now—on the small action we can take today to move toward our goals. Instead of starting small and letting our brand grow piece by piece, we think we need to have everything figured out from the start. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. The path becomes clear only when we begin walking it, listening to feedback, and shaping our brand along the way. Every creator begins their journey from a different place and is heading toward their unique different destination.

Comparing ourselves to others is a race to the bottom and a game we can’t win. Don’t be afraid; we’re not competing with anyone. Writing is a solitary act where we try to fit our pieces together, not anyone else’s. It’s our world, our view and our story. Don’t be afraid. Write. We’ll only make it in this game if the fear comes from not writing—not from writing.

We don’t realize that writing is this process that's never finished—an evolving effort that improves over time. We may discover sharper way to express ourselves. Maybe the tone feels off, or the message doesn't reflect our core values. Maybe it lacks a clear point of view, or doesn’t carry the energy or conviction we want it to have. But each post brings us closer to the final version of the message we truly want to share.

Writing is a process of expression and growth. Each piece we publish adds to our progress. Whether or not it feels like the right moment, we don’t need ideal conditions or perfect clarity to begin. We just need to be willing to share our experience and what we know at that moment. Only by writing and publishing consistently do we give ourselves a real chance.