Discovering Authentic Confidence in Your Writing Journey
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Chapter 1: The Essence of True Confidence
In the realm of writing, many of us are often told to write with conviction. The common mantra is to eliminate phrases like "I think," "I believe," or "I guess." While it’s straightforward to mimic this advice, true confidence in writing goes much deeper.
Writing with authority is essential; however, the challenge lies in doing so authentically. We often craft headlines as if revealing life-altering secrets, such as "This One Thing Can Guarantee Your Success on Medium" or "The Reason Nobody Reads Your Writing." It’s easy to project a facade of confidence by using a commanding tone and powerful language at key moments.
Yet, this method leaves me feeling unsatisfied, as if I’m merely imitating a successful style rather than expressing my genuine voice.
Section 1.1: The Common Pitfalls of Advice
I grew weary of feeling like a fraud, which led me to consume countless articles on how to write confidently. Much of the guidance was repetitive, emphasizing daily writing practice, understanding audience needs, avoiding comparisons with others, experimenting with styles, using a straightforward active voice, and reading extensively. While these tips are valuable for improving writing skills, they do little to enhance one's confidence.
What I truly seek is a way to feel secure in my writing.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Limitations of Expertise
As a medical doctor with extensive experience in psychiatry and psychotherapy, I possess a wealth of knowledge. You might expect that my insights on mental health would be entirely credible. However, there’s often an underlying skepticism regarding authority figures, whether they are educators, politicians, or professionals. If expertise can’t guarantee total trust, how can I write with genuine confidence?
I found myself confronting a daunting realization: expertise alone does not foster true confidence, and pretending to be confident is a superficial solution. I cannot afford to wait years to become an exceptional writer.
Section 1.2: The Key to Authentic Writing
Then it struck me—I’ve always known the secret to writing with unwavering confidence from the very first piece I create. The answer is straightforward.
Let me demonstrate with a couple of examples.
Example 1: The Must-Try Dishes When Visiting Paris
French cuisine is rich and diverse, extending beyond the well-known croissant and omelette du fromage. Culinary enthusiasts regard it highly, and here are five dishes you absolutely must savor in France: Escargots à la bourguignonne, where the garlicky sauce is almost as delectable as the snails themselves.
Example 2: The Dichotomy of Paris — A City of Contrasts
"Twilight seems to linger indefinitely in Paris. At 21:45, the sky still glowed a deep purple, reflecting off the Seine. Even the litter that sat along the promenade couldn't dampen the ambiance. As we wandered toward our riverside dinner reservation, chatting with new friends, we prepared to order. Sampling local cuisine is a travel staple, right? Everyone appeared eager. I couldn’t dampen their excitement, despite my own reservations about the choices."
Did you notice how much more engaging the second example is? Was there any moment where you doubted my words? Despite being entirely fictional, it conveys my perspective, making it compelling.
You can express your thoughts and feelings with unwavering confidence. There’s no need to justify your conviction when you write from your own viewpoint—it's inherently understood.
Chapter 2: The Power of Personal Narrative
Instead of mimicking others on platforms like Medium, share your unique story. What articles transformed your thinking? What blunders did you encounter along your path? What was your mindset during those moments?
Humans are naturally drawn to narrative. So, tell your story and share your personal insights—there's no one more qualified to narrate your experiences than you.
But there's one more aspect you can incorporate into your writing that is undeniably authentic—your data.
Video Description: Learn how to convey confidence in your writing by embracing your authentic voice and sharing personal experiences.
Video Description: Discover practical strategies to project confidence, even when you feel uncertain.
Numbers provide clarity, yet they often lack a compelling narrative on their own. When you weave your story around the data, you create articles that captivate and resonate with readers.
Thank you for joining me on this journey! My name is Orestis, and as a mental health professional from Greece, I split my time between psychiatry, psychotherapy, and passionately writing on Medium.