Rediscovering Your Authentic Voice in Writing

There was a time when I didn’t think twice before writing. Words danced freely, as if they belonged to me even before I penned them. Back then, I wasn’t worried about how “marketable” a story was, or whether my blog post would trend, or if my voice fit into the literary mold. I just wrote—with a heart full of wonder and a pen driven by curiosity.

And then, somewhere along the way, something shifted.

I became more aware of industry expectations, branding, what sells, and how writers are often expected to perform rather than simply be. I studied trends, listened to experts, joined webinars, and signed up for newsletters filled with dos and don’ts. I adapted—and yes, in many ways, I grew. However, I also lost something.

The lost version of me wasn’t careless—she was fearless. She didn’t edit mid-thought. She didn’t overthink metaphors or second-guess titles. She wasn’t bound by approval. She believed a story deserved to be told, even if imperfect.

I realised I missed her—not because I wanted to return, but to remember what she represented.

Over time, I’ve gently returned to that space. Not by abandoning all I’ve learned, but by unlearning the noise that drowned my instinct. I’ve started writing for myself again—pages that don’t make it to the public eye, stories that don’t adhere to a plot structure, and thoughts that are messy and human.

And something beautiful is happening.

I’m writing with greater honesty now. I’ve found a voice that merges my past passion with my present perspective. I’ve reclaimed the joy of writing without expectation—of connecting through words, not performance.

The lost version of me wasn’t truly lost—waiting in the quiet corners of my creativity, hoping I’d return.

And I did.
Not to start over.
But to begin again—this time, as all of me.