Writing Is Selfish, but That’s OK and Exactly Why It Matters

Let’s face it: writing is selfish. Think about it. It demands time, solitude, and a willingness to focus on your thoughts, your ideas, and your perspective. The act of writing unapologetically asks you to pause, sit still, and engage in something deeply personal, to you.

And that’s exactly why it matters.

Writing forces us to slow down, to dig deeper into what we think and feel. It’s not about creating perfect sentences or impressing others—it’s about creating space for your voice in a noisy world. Whether you’re writing a blog post, a novel, or a half-baked idea in your Notes app, the act itself is an act of rebellion against a culture that prioritizes speed over depth.

Writing isn’t easy. It’s messy, frustrating, and sometimes painfully lonely. But that’s also what makes it powerful. It teaches you patience. It forces you to think critically. It challenges you to confront yourself in ways most of us spend our lives avoiding.

Editing is great and powerful. It allows you to shape your narrative for maximum impact, remove unnecessary words - even entire paragraphs - to refine your words. But sometimes you edit yourself out of your own writing. I’m a keen editor. I usually spend more time on that than on writing - except right now. This is raw, and selfish.

But when you share it, that selfish act of writing suddenly becomes a generous gift, to one person or to many. It inspires, provokes, connects.

So go ahead. Be a bit selfish. Write. The world will probably thank you for it—eventually. And even if no one reads it, that’s ok because healthy selfishness is about expressing your own needs, which is a positive step for your mental health and wellbeing.