Why do I write? For the same reason I haven’t deleted that old mix CD from an ex (you know, the one labeled “For Rainy Days”) or stopped scrolling through that pop culture blog at 2 a.m. Some things just hit differently—they remind you you’re alive, messy, and full of stories. Writing is one of those things for me. It’s the love letter I keep writing to myself, to connection, and to the beautiful, chaotic dance of being human. And while I’ll never confess to all the times I’ve rewatched When Harry Met Sally for “research,” I will say this: writing makes me feel seen.

But hey, you didn’t click on this to read a diary entry. So let me walk you through what keeps me coming back to the blank page—whether it’s scribbling late-night thoughts in a notebook or typing up advice for navigating love, loss, and everything in between.

The First Draft is Like That Chaotic First Date

Let’s be honest—first drafts are messy. They’re all nervous energy and bad jokes, kind of like a blind date where you’re 50/50 on whether to stay or fake an emergency call. You’re throwing words at the page just hoping something sticks.

And yet, this stage is thrilling because it’s raw and real. It’s where I let myself fall headfirst into ideas I’m not sure I’ll stick with. Some thoughts get ghosted (sorry, half-baked metaphors), and some demand more time. It’s imperfect, but it teaches me something every time: just start. Flaws and all.

Like dating, writing isn’t about getting it perfect from the jump. It’s about diving in, having fun with the chaos, and trusting that you’ll find something worth keeping. And let’s be real—half the fun is in the awkward attempts.

Storytelling is Our Birthright

Growing up in a family that seemed to collect stories like some people collect plants or vinyl records, words weren’t just tools—they were lifelines. My grandmother always told tales about stargazing in the Navajo Nation, each star carrying a story, each constellation alive with meaning. My best friend from college once told me how her Chilean mother lured her siblings to bed with twists on fairy tales, inventing new endings each night depending on their behavior.

Storytelling isn’t something confined to libraries. It’s how we flirt at bars, bond over bad dates, or recount the absolute tragedy of falling for someone who “isn’t looking for anything serious right now.” It’s universal, a pulse you can hear in every culture and every conversation.

For me, writing keeps that storytelling gene alive. Whether it’s unpacking why we send “u up?” texts or narrating the eternal struggle of being a night owl in a world of morning people, writing feels like capturing sparks in a jar. It turns the everyday into something extraordinary.

Writing Helps Me Understand Myself…and You

Here’s the kicker: sometimes I don’t know what I’m feeling until I’ve written it down. Writing is like holding up a mirror, except it’s a mirror that doesn’t judge the zit on your forehead or the funky slang you’ve been trying to pull off. It just listens.

Through writing, I’ve uncovered truths about myself—like why vulnerability feels scarier than skydiving or why I keep rooting for fictional couples who are clearly bad for each other (Ross and Rachel, I’m looking at you). And as personal as the process starts, it always lands somewhere human and universal.

When I share these stories—messy, funny, or bittersweet—I see how they resonate. Suddenly, it’s not just my story. It’s “OMG, me too!” moments in comments or someone DMing me about how they finally called their crush. Writing has this sneaky way of pulling us closer, like a late-night heart-to-heart with a friend.

Rewriting is Like the Post-Breakup Glow-Up

Revising might actually be my favorite part of writing—because it’s where the magic happens. It’s the literary equivalent of cutting your hair, buying new boots, and textually leveling up after a breakup.

When I rewrite, I snip out the redundancy (the verbal equivalent of overthinking a text to your crush). I polish messy ideas until they shine. That awkward joke that didn’t land? Gone. That sentence that didn’t quite capture the feeling? Rewritten. Rewriting is where I get to say, “I can do better,” and then do exactly that.

And here’s the best part: much like love, writing doesn’t demand perfection, just progress.

Writing Is About Connection, Not Closure

They say writers are romantics at heart, endlessly chasing the perfect way to say what’s in our heads—or what’s drifting just beyond words. I think that’s true, but here’s my twist: writing, for me, has never been about tying everything up with some grand conclusion. That’s unrealistic. Life (and love) is messy, ongoing, and way too complicated to fit neatly between punctuation marks.

Instead, I write to reach toward others. To make us laugh, cry, or nod along because someone else gets it. To pick apart what it means to stumble through life as yourself and figure out who you want to be.

Some Quick “Writerly” Dating Wisdom (Because I Can’t Resist)

And since you’ve stuck around this long, let me leave you with some advice straight from my storyteller’s toolkit:

  • “Show, Don’t Tell,” Applies to Dating Too: Instead of saying, “I’m adventurous,” tell me about the time you accidentally rode a camel backwards in Morocco. Specifics make connection stick.
  • Embrace the Awkward Edits: Bad first dates are the “rough drafts” of romance. Shake them off and look forward to the next revision.
  • Your Voice Is Your Power: Whether writing or dating, lean into what makes you, you. Forget the one-size-fits-all formula. Your quirks and contradictions? That’s the magic.

Final Thoughts – Why I Keep Writing

At the heart of it, writing feels like coming home—to myself, to the world, to the stories that remind us none of us is really alone. It’s where I feel both brave and vulnerable, kind of like standing at the edge of a cliff, ready to leap but also savoring the view.

And whether it’s untangling my own emotions or helping you figure out what to text after a great date (pro tip: keep it light but thoughtful), I’ll keep writing. Because stories matter. Connection matters. And honestly, where else would I put all these pop culture references and rambling metaphors other than here?

So, here’s to the sparks we chase and the messy, wonderful ways words help us make sense of it all.