The Lost Art of Writing for the Sake of Writing

Brad Bartlett
2 min readSep 21, 2024

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Let’s slow down for a second.

When was the last time you actually sat down and wrote something by hand?

And I’m not talking about scribbling down your grocery list or jotting notes during a mind-numbing meeting.

I mean really writing — pouring your thoughts onto paper without a care in the world about SEO, keywords, or your precious “personal brand.”

If you’re like most people, it’s probably been a while. Maybe even years.

Here’s the thing: we’ve become so obsessed with optimization, metrics, and “hacking” our way to success that we’ve forgotten why we started writing in the first place.

It wasn’t about building an email list or going viral on social media.

It was about expression. Creativity.

The simple joy of stringing words together to form something uniquely yours.

So here’s my challenge to you:

Pick up a pen.

Grab a notebook.

And just… write.

No strategy. No keywords. No calls-to-action.

No AI-generated outlines or “content optimization” tools.

Just you, your thoughts, and the page.

It might feel strange at first. Uncomfortable, even. Your hand might cramp up after a few paragraphs (thanks a lot, smartphone addiction).

But push through it. Because here’s what you’ll discover:

Clarity

There’s something about the physical act of writing that helps organize your thoughts in a way typing never will.

Creativity

Without the constant temptation to hit backspace or ctrl+z, you’re forced to let your ideas flow freely.

Connection

Writing by hand creates a tangible link between your thoughts and the physical world. It’s intimate in a way digital writing can never be.

Remembrance

Studies have shown we remember things better when we write them down by hand. Your ideas will stick with you longer.

Freedom

There’s no pressure to publish, share, or monetize. You’re writing purely for yourself.

Now, I’m not saying you should abandon your blog or throw your laptop out the window.

Digital writing has its place, and it’s a powerful tool for building your business and reaching your audience.

But don’t forget the magic of putting pen to paper.

Make it a habit. Maybe it’s a daily journal entry. Or a weekly brain dump of your craziest ideas.

Hell, write terrible poetry if that’s what moves you.

The point is to reconnect with the root of why you started writing in the first place.

To rediscover that spark of passion that made you fall in love with words.

So go ahead. Write by hand, even if it’s just once in a while. Your creative side will thank you.

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Brad Bartlett
Brad Bartlett

Written by Brad Bartlett

Professional Freelance Copywriter. (www.bradleebartlett.co) Musings on #freelancing, #productivity, #self-development, and more!

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