Why I Had to Reconnect With Why I Started Writing

When your purpose is clear, quitting stops feeling like an option.

May 31, 2025

I almost walked away from, writing again.

Not because I didn’t love it.
Not because I didn’t have anything to say.

But because I got distracted.

There’s so much pressure these days:
Post consistently. Grow the audience. Hit the algorithm just right. Package your purpose into content buckets and content calendars.

It started to feel like a job I hadn’t applied for.

And I’ll be honest, part of me was ready to give it up.

Until I paused and asked myself one powerful question:

Why did I start writing in the first place?

It Was Never Just About the Money

Of course, I want my writing to earn income. That’s part of building a sustainable creative life.

But I didn’t begin this journey just to build a business or create viral content.

I started writing because I needed to.

I had stories I couldn’t keep inside.
Lessons I had learned the hard way.
A voice I had spent years silencing that was finally ready to speak up.

When I looked back, I remembered that I started writing because I wanted to help people feel less alone.

I wanted to speak to the woman who was stuck in fear.
To encourage the dreamer who had almost given up.
To be the voice I wished I had when I was lost or unsure.

The Turning Point: When It Became Bigger Than Me

It finally clicked:

Not finishing my work wasn’t just about me—it meant someone else might miss what they needed to hear.

That realization shifted everything.

I stopped treating writing as optional.
I stopped waiting for motivation.
I stopped letting perfectionism keep me silent.

I started thinking about who my words were for.

Not the algorithm. Not the platform.
But the person scrolling at 2 a.m.
The person holding on by a thread, needing a reminder that they matter.
The one who needed to know quitting doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

Writing With Purpose Changed the Way I Show Up

Something shifted when I reconnected with my why.

I didn’t magically become more productive. But I did become more anchored.

Purpose gave me staying power.

When you remember why you started, it becomes harder to justify quitting.
You’re not just writing for attention—you’re writing for impact.

You’re not just chasing metrics—you’re pursuing meaning.

A Simple Strategy That Helped Me Recommit

If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your writing, this strategy may help:

1. Revisit Your Why

Ask yourself honestly:
Why did I start writing? What was I hoping to express or change? Who did I want to help?

Your why may have evolved, and that’s okay. But revisit it and get clear on what still resonates.

2. Make It Visible

Write it down. Stick it on your mirror. Keep it in your journal. Let it be the compass that keeps you grounded when things get chaotic.

3. Let It Guide You

When you’re overwhelmed by content ideas or uncertain about next steps, filter them through your why. Does this serve my purpose? Does this align with who I’m here to help?

If not, it’s okay to say no and work on something else.

Writing From a Place of Intention

I didn’t start writing to grow a brand.
I started to grow into myself—and to help others do the same.

So if you’re in a season where the writing feels heavy or unclear, don’t rush to quit. Slow down. Reconnect with the heart behind your words.

Your audience doesn’t need perfect content.
They need honest content.
Purposeful content.

And that starts with you being true to your why.

Thanks for reading.
If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your writing “why.” Leave a comment or send me a message.

And if you know a writer who’s struggling to stay consistent, share this with them. You never know who might need the reminder.

—
Susie Winfield
Helping writers move from stuck and scared to consistent and bold.

Resources

Desiree Brown-Quilty

is a lovely, talented writer who inspires women over a certain age to pursue their dreams. I get inspired by reading her words every day. They help me realize that it’s never too late to do anything you desire to do, whether it’s to buy your first home or write all of the books you’ve dreamed about.

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