The first time I received payment for my writing was in 2016. The feeling was surreal. My first blog had just turned a year old, and it wasn’t something I took too seriously. It was a creative outlet where I could freely express my thoughts and share my opinions in writing. Little did I know that people were paying attention.
Remembering how consistent I was in my first year of blogging makes my heart ache a little. I enjoyed writing and totally immersed myself in it. Staying up till the wee hours of the morning to tap into the silence of dawn and connect with my inner self was something I lived for. Nothing could compare to that sense of accomplishment I always felt after completing a post and hitting publish.
Survival vs. Creativity
I started writing for income. My hobby had morphed into a money-making venture, and in all honesty, I don’t regret it entirely. However, the downsides weighed heavily as the years passed. Writing became a burden, and the realisation made me sick. I battled with burnout on many occasions and wanted to do anything but write. The craze of visibility and algorithms worsened my plight as the lines between content writing, content creation and digital marketing blurred.
In retrospect, I have realised that I prioritised income over passion, which is what most adults do. And it’s not a bad thing- money must be made. Another thing is that I failed to create a safe space for my hobby and prioritise it as much as I did the income part. My first blog was indeed the blueprint. I wrote and published consistently without overthinking. There was no fear of scrutiny or “judgment” about what I wrote or second-guessing my ideas. I simply wrote.
As a millennial living in Nigeria in 2025, the struggle is real. Inflation is at an all-time high, and the economy is in shambles. It’s easy and seemingly logical to turn your passion into income as hobbies are perceived as child’s play. Survival is key, and hobbies take the back burner.
My perspective now is this: your hobbies will keep you going. Create a safe space for them and know that it’s okay if they don’t earn you income. Capitalism is real, and we’re surrounded by it in all shapes and forms.
What Next?
It’s officially 10 years of being a professional writer, and I’m starting afresh. It’s time to publish my drafts that have gathered dust in my notes for years due to analysis paralysis. Writing is a form of self-expression for me, and I’ve been doing myself a disservice by hiding that part of me for a good number of years now. I write for others, but I stopped writing for myself…sad.
I saw a quote in a book I had read recently, and it said,
Write what you like…write the story you want to read.
And that’s exactly what I plan on doing.
To those who have been with me since my very first post till now, you are AMAZING! I appreciate your support and encouragement. Thank you so much.
