Lost & Found: How I Rediscovered Writing (And Why You Should Too!)

It wasn’t some grand, cinematic moment. No dramatic epiphany.

It was just an ordinary day.

I had just come back to my tiny room after an eight-hour shift, completely exhausted. I didn’t want to eat, didn’t even want a sip of water. I just wanted sleep. And as I slipped under my blanket, one thought hit me—this isn’t what I want to do for the rest of my life.

I felt drained, stuck in a loop of exhaustion. And then it clicked: writing was the only thing that had ever made me truly happy.

Even with that realization, getting back into it wasn’t easy. I told myself I’d write for just 15 minutes a day, and I still couldn’t keep up with it most days. It was frustrating, honestly.

But moments like these teach you something: life won’t hold you back if you don’t let it.

I realized I didn’t need the perfect routine or hours of free time. I just needed to start.

And sometimes, that’s all it takes—one moment of realization to shift the course of your life. A butterfly effect. A fleeting thought you’ll remember for years to come.

Writing isn’t just about creating stories; it’s about finding your voice. It’s a way to process emotions, explore ideas, and make sense of the world around you. For me, it’s also about reclaiming a part of myself that I’d left behind.

Most days, I don’t even have a solid idea when I start writing. Just fragments of what could be. And that’s enough. Some days, I’ll scribble random words, trying to weave them into something meaningful. Other days, nothing makes sense at all. But even then, it still feels right.

It’s this practice—writing even when I don’t have a plan—that has helped me grow as a writer. It’s taught me to trust my creativity, even when I doubt myself. And for someone as self-critical as me, that’s a huge deal.

And here’s the thing – if you’ve ever loved writing or any creative pursuit, it’s never too late to come back to it. You don’t have to be professional or have a huge following. You just need to take the first step.

So, you’ve had the realization—you want to start writing again. Maybe it hit you in the middle of a boring lecture. Maybe you were reminiscing about how much you used to love crafting stories, blogs, or even just scribbling random thoughts in your notes app. Whatever it was, that spark is back.

Now what?

The first instinct might be to dive right in—start a novel, a blog, or some ambitious daily writing routine. But before you get overwhelmed, take a step back.

Writing, like any other passion, thrives when it has direction.

With your end goal in mind (whether it’s publishing a book, building a writing profile, or just making writing a habit again), a little bit of research can help you map out how to move forward. You don’t need to have everything figured out right away, but knowing why you’re doing this and where you want it to lead will make things a lot easier.

And if you’re someone with a packed schedule—college, work, life in general—pursuing writing on the side is totally possible.

But here’s the catch: it won’t magically fit into your routine unless you make space for it.

That means being intentional with your time. Maybe it’s writing for 30 minutes before bed, using weekends to brainstorm ideas, or just jotting down thoughts during breaks.

It doesn’t have to be all-consuming, but it does have to be consistent.

So instead of just thinking, I want to write again, start asking yourself, How can I make space for it in my life?

Once you start answering that, you’re already on your way.

Here’s the gist of all my rambling:

If you know you want to get back into something you love, don’t overthink it.

There will always be a hundred reasons not to do something, and just one reason to do it. Take that one reason and run with it. Take the step, take the risk, and just go for it.

Yes, it could go wrong. Maybe you’ll struggle with consistency. Maybe your first few attempts won’t be great. Maybe life will get in the way more times than you’d like.

But do you know what it won’t do?

It won’t leave you with a lifetime of regret. It won’t leave you wondering, What would have happened if…?

The truth is, you don’t need the perfect time, the perfect plan, or the perfect mindset to start.

You just need to start.

The rest? You’ll figure it out along the way.