Stop Second-Guessing Your Path (How I Discovered What I Actually Wanted Through One Simple Writing Practice)

Hey there,

That voice in your head never stops, does it? Questioning if you're on the right path. Wondering if your successes actually matter. Asking if this is really all there is.

What if you could finally hear yourself clearly through all that noise?

While scrolling through productivity hacks and meditation apps, I stumbled upon something ridiculously simple that changed everything for me. No expensive courses. No complicated systems. Just me, a blank page, and the freedom to write without filters

The Hidden Benefit of Free Writing

Most of us have tried journaling before. Carefully crafted entries about gratitude or goals that look pretty but rarely reveal anything new.

Free writing works differently. By deliberately letting your thoughts flow without editing, you bypass your inner critic and access insights buried beneath your everyday thinking.

In this unfiltered writing practice, you might discover:

• What you actually want (versus what you think you should want)

• Where you're sacrificing authenticity for approval

• Which paths energize you versus which ones drain you

• What fears are keeping you trapped in indecision

Finding My Path Through Messy Writing

As a software developer with a good job and steady paycheck, my career looked successful on paper. Yet something felt off. Despite having the title and salary I was "supposed to want," I craved more human connection and meaningful interactions than coding provided.

My journaling practice often expanded from quick sessions into longer explorations. While I personally prefer handwriting (there's something special about the connection to paper), typing works just as well.

Through this messy process, I discovered:

• I'm energized by helping people work through their challenges

• I need variety beyond just coding all day

• I value deep conversations more than I realized

These insights sparked real changes:

• Launched dinner discussions where friends explore meaningful topics

• Started coaching to apply problem-solving skills to human challenges

• Began writing online to build connections beyond my technical world

My developer career didn't disappear. Instead, I created a blend of technical work enhanced by people-focused activities. This balance honors all dimensions of who I am.

The transformation emerged from my own messy handwriting, not from following someone else's advice. My authentic path was hiding in plain sight, waiting to be uncovered through honest writing.

Your Roadmap to Knowing What You Want

Ready to cut through your mental noise? Here's your simple process:

1. CREATE SPACE — Find 10 minutes without interruptions (early morning works best)

2. REMOVE PRESSURE — Remember, no one will ever read this but you

3. ASK A TRIGGER QUESTION — Try "What's actually bothering me right now?" or "What am I not admitting to myself?"

4. WRITE WITHOUT STOPPING — Keep your fingers moving for the full 10 minutes; no editing allowed

5. LOOK FOR PATTERNS — After a week, review your entries for recurring themes

PRO TIP: The moments when you feel resistance or embarrassment about what you're writing? That's exactly where your breakthrough insights hide.

What You Might Discover

This practice can reveal insights about many areas of your life:

• Career clarity — Understanding what aspects of your work truly energize you versus what drains you

• Relationship patterns — Recognizing unaddressed feelings or needs in your connections with others

• Hidden priorities — Discovering what truly matters to you beneath social expectations

• Creative blocks — Identifying the fears holding you back from expressing yourself

The beauty of free writing is that it reveals what's most relevant for YOU right now. The specific insight you need at this moment in your journey.

Start Your 10-Minute Experiment Today

Imagine waking up a week from now with a newfound clarity about what truly matters to you. Not what should matter. Not what others think should matter. What actually resonates with YOUR authentic self.

All it takes is 10 minutes of honest writing today.

Until next week,

Alex

P.S. Remember, there's no "right way" to do this. Your messy, unfiltered thoughts are exactly what make this process work. The less you try to sound good, the more powerful your insights will be.