Just Start: Why Your Writing Habit Matters

(Even If You’re Not on Substack or Medium Yet)

Image credit: Loz James in Canva

Writing online isn’t always about the money, but it always changes you.

When I was a teenager, I started writing as therapy. Not to build a list or sell anything. Just to make sense of my own head.

It was awful self-indulgent poetry at first, then short stories, then screenplays, then news stories as a journalist, then copy for print clients — then digital.

I’ve been writing for a living ever since.

At first though, it didn’t matter if anyone read it. The writing itself was the win.

Yet the more I wrote something strange happened.

I discovered insights I didn’t know I had. I made friends and connections. The writing made me more present and content as a person.

And eventually — yes, I earned money too.

But that wasn’t the goal at first.

The goal was to start.

And that’s still the best goal.

Your Reason Doesn’t Have To Be “Good”

Let’s be honest. You don’t need a Substack or Medium profile to be a writer.

You don’t need to monetize, optimize, or strategize your every sentence.

If you write for therapy, that’s enough.

Or if you write to fulfil a lifelong creative itch, that’s more than enough.

If you write one thoughtful essay every two weeks and jot a few social notes in between — guess what? That’s a writing habit.

You don’t need to be loud or go viral.

You just need to start.

Small Habits > Big Plans

I interviewed nearly 100 creators on my old Content Champion podcast, and some of the biggest names didn’t begin with a 12-month content roadmap. Or any kind of plan at all.

They began with 30 minutes before breakfast, or 45 when everyone else in their family was in bed at night — plus a vague but unshakeable idea they could make it.

Maybe that’s you. Working a job you hate. Squeezing in time before the kids wake up or long after dark. Feeling like time is running out.

That’s why weekday writing works. One article a week with some Substack Notes. Then a few social posts drawn from your article. That’s all it takes.

Or maybe you only write twice a month. That’s fine too.

The cadence doesn’t matter.

Consistency does.

Writing Changes You (Whether or Not It Pays You)

When you start writing, doors open.

Sometimes it’s a paying subscriber. Others it’s a new friend who shares your weird niche obsession.

Or it could be a moment of peace you’ve been missing for years.

The magic of writing isn’t just in the audience you build.

It’s in the version of you that shows up at the page.

So whatever your reason — just get started.

You’ll be surprised by what you find.

Today’s Challenge: 30 Minutes With No Excuses. Just Start.

Don’t save this inspiration for later. Use it right now.

As soon as you finish reading, write for 30 minutes.

Just brain dump anything…

A rant, a reflection — or a rough draft of that great idea you had earlier for your first (or next) post.

Set the timer and go.

Don’t do it for likes or followers. Do it for you.

Because once you start, everything else becomes possible.

Ready to Build a Writing Habit That Sticks?

Join Weekday Writer — my daily writing newsletter that helps creators stay consistent, ship content, and grow their audience one short article at a time.

👻 Writing Wraith Ghostwriting

Need content that sounds like you & grows your business (without writing it yourself)? Want to work with a 25+ year veteran copywriter? Let’s talk.
📧 loz@contentchampion.com