I subscribed to Vivy Yusof’s Substack recently — and today I received one of her newsletters. It was a simple story about friendships. You know, the kind of situations we’ve all experienced but rarely talk about out loud. She said something like:
“She should’ve been there for me. I was there for her.”
Oof. That hit. You’ve felt that too, haven’t you?
The whole letter was raw, relatable, and laced with her witty sense of humor. And as I was reading, I found myself smiling. I could feel her spirit through her writing — and even though we’re from different countries and have never met, it felt like she could be my person. Just like that.
And that’s when it hit me…
It really is that simple.
Before I started blogging or podcasting, it all felt so far away. I had built it up in my mind like this elite activity only for the highly gifted or the super articulate. Not for me. Until I actually started doing it. And guess what? I realized anyone (okay, almost anyone 😅) can do it.
The truth is: not everyone wants to. But if you do, if you have that itch to share something — there is an audience for it.
There are people reading serial killers’ manifestos 😬, people obsessing over white supremacy theories 🤯, people looking for someone — anyone — who thinks like they do just so they can feel less alone.
So why are you holding back?
The human brain will overcomplicate anything. Even now, I’ll write something and a storm of doubts will show up:
“Who do you think you are?”
“Does this even make sense?”
“Will anyone even read this?”
That’s when I have to talk back to my brain, gently but firmly.
This is my story. I write for me first.
And honestly? I love reading my own blog posts. I grow through them. I heal through them. I remind myself through them.
And if others connect to it? That’s a beautiful bonus. If they don’t? That’s fine too. There are billions of people in this world — someone out there will get it.
So please, don’t make it so complicated.
It’s not reserved for the chosen few.
It’s not about perfection.
It’s not about sounding like someone else.
It’s just… one plus one equals two.
If you feel the pull to share, just sit down, type it out, and pour your soul into the screen.
That’s all that matters.
Salima
Just me thinking out loud over here