How has your approach to writing changed after learning something new about it?

My approach to writing changed drastically when I learned that I needed to consider who I was writing for. Early on, my writing was for myself, mostly in the form of journaling. I would write about my thoughts, plans, emotions - anything that crossed my mind. These were highly creative, but often written in a way that only made sense to me.

However, when I started publishing my writing, a new question kept popping into my mind:

Why am I writing?

When I journal, I write for mental clarity, self-growth, and reflection, whether personal or professional. But when writing for an audience, the purpose shifts. I’ve always enjoyed teaching because it helps me deepen my understanding of topics. In this sense, I write to explore new subjects, answer questions I hadn’t considered, broaden my horizons, and reflect.

But here’s where the real shift happened: I realized I’m no longer writing just for myself.

When writing for an audience, I have to provide context and clarity that may not be necessary when writing only for my understanding. I also need to engage the reader, telling stories in a way that excites them, because while my experiences may have been thrilling for me, they won’t resonate with the reader unless I convey them effectively.

This shift in mindset, recognizing that the reader is the star of the show, has been the biggest change in my approach. Writing for an audience requires me to focus on their experience, not just mine.