Writing habit: Daily Post Challenge

"Learn literature but write rubbish."

That was once written on my Instagram bio. It's such a short sentence but the corresponding context behind it was way bigger. Here's a little background story to back up any further analysis.

I'm a writer wannabe in my twenties. When I was in school, I loved reading fictional novels and I started writing my own blog when I was twelve. I maintained the blog for four long years, where I was actively blogging and blog walking. However, life got in the way and I started busying myself with academics, part time jobs, and those thousands of lessons and competitions I registered for.

Somewhere between 2020 and 2021, I started downloading novel apps on my phone. They were addictive and I couldn't stop reading. Then, I found out that I could actually write my own story and publish them on the app for the other users to read. Just the thought of creating my own characters and navigating the story made me excited. I spent days and nights in between classes and jobs writing chapters after chapters. However, regardless of all that excitement, I found myself ditching the hobby once again.

Early in 2024, there were some complications with the company I was working at. I lost my job and almost went to jail. That'll be a story for another day. At that moment, I had nothing with me. All my laptops were confiscated so I couldn't do the usual designing and editing. I lost everything overnight and was too mentally tired to look for a new job. That was the second time in my life I decided to stop looking for a job and start freelancing. Without my laptops, there wasn't much I could do. I borrowed an old laptop from a friend and started writing. I found a platform and decided to do it seriously. I wrote a story outline proposal and submitted it to the editor. Upon receiving the signing agreement, I delved into it straight away. I wrote at least a thousand words everyday for a fortnight.

That much was easy as I was having my winter break from university. I had all the time in the world to sit in front of the laptop everyday. Things started to get hectic once classes started. That was my last semester so it was crucial to pass all the courses or I would not have my graduation certificate. Thus, I started falling behind in my writing again. It came a time where I almost ran dry. There wasn't any income for a month and I started to cut down on food. Once again, I started looking for a job.

I graduated from university last summer and started working full time at the job I got earlier that semester. It's the first time I got myself a job that required professional training and skills. In order to maintain a good performance in the job, I dedicated all my time to it.

Fast forward to May 2025. I left my job and fell back into the cycle of trying to do freelance but gave up and started throwing resumes. I picked up the novel I left last year and continued writing. After all that happened, I wanted to really write and dedicate myself to it. However, because of all that happened, I didn't think I deserve to call myself an author or a writer. "I'm not qualified." "I write rubbish." "I'm not professional enough." Thus that intro replaced the title 'writer'.

As of today, I'm still jobless but not hopeless. I had time for myself again and everyday, I continue to learn and try to better myself. So, here's a new blog for me to nag.

"We are what we repeatedly do."

I may not be good at it. I may still lack the skills I need to be a good writer. That's why I need to do more. Practice makes perfect. Here's the first day of my daily post challenge!