Reflections on my journey to writing 200 weekly articles
For years, I wanted to share my thoughts in long form, but procrastination always crept in. I once started a blog “Uplifting Your Soul” when blogging was still new. I wrote a few articles, but I never kept up with it and eventually abandoned it. Later, while studying for my postgraduate degree at the University of Essex, I had the opportunity to share my student experience online and “Gbubemi’s Blog” was born. I was more consistent this time, but after completing my studies, I no longer had a reason to continue posting.
Still, the desire to write frequently never left me. Then, on Wednesday, January 20th, 2021, after years of contemplation, I decided almost on a whim — but truly after many years of thinking about it — I decided to start writing and publishing a weekly article online. To hold myself accountable, I announced my plan on Instagram and committed to publishing every Thursday.
I had a fair idea of what I wanted to write about: a little bit of nostalgia, a dash of human interest, some of my random thoughts and pet peeves, a sprinkling of reality checks, and a little something to get you thinking — or doing. I chose Medium as my platform. By a stroke of luck, Toni Kan — writer, editor, public relations expert, and publisher of “ThisIsLagos” — saw my Instagram post and slid into my DM. Yes, I knew him before, so there was no degree of separation.
“We can publish your article o,” he said. I remember feeling surprised because I wasn’t sure he had ever read anything I had written beyond my random social media posts. I said an immediate “Yes!” And that, ladies and gentlemen, was how my articles found a home on a platform that reaches a much wider audience than I ever anticipated. 200 articles later and I am glad I took the bull by the horns. This article should have been the 217th one, but I skipped a few weeks — thanks to my insatiable need to produce the “perfect” article, writer’s block, and, of course, procrastination.
The writing process
Deciding on a topic each week is often the greatest challenge. Even when I settle on one, I still have to determine the right angle. My articles have been inspired by things that bother me, make me curious, or highlight important societal issues. Sometimes, I respond to trending topics.
I have explored controversial themes such as paternity fraud (Na Who Get Pickin?) and adultery (Have You Ever Thought About Having An Affair?). I have written about politics (Why Don’t You Like Politics?), our national trust issues (Dear Nigerians, When Did We Stop Trusting Each Other?), security (Fellow Nigerians, If You Think You Are Safe, Think Again), black tax (Our Mouth Is Dry, Send Money), ancestry (Do You Know Your Roots?), and the migration culture (When Are You Going To Japa?), among many others. My writing has not stirred many hornets’ nests even though my publisher once told me not to be “too safe”. Whilst I don’t want to be controversial for the sake of it, I don’t mind expressing my true opinions.
I enjoy writing, but I must admit that the initial euphoria of publishing a weekly article soon turned into the realisation that I had taken on a part-time job. Guys, Writing No Be Joke o! Many people commend me for being so consistent, but I have simply accepted that this is my weekly contribution to society. As with many aspects of life, writing comes with challenges, but I have learned to navigate them.
Writing rituals and lessons
In my quest to craft “the perfect article,” I write in spaces with a constant hum of people — absolute silence does not work for me. I also fact-check my articles and use online editors for grammar checks. ChatGPT has been a valuable tool, providing useful feedback that has improved my writing. Ironically, the articles I hammer out at the last minute (to me, not always well-formed) often receive the most engagement. I have often wondered about this.
I write about topics I have a fair knowledge of so that any research I conduct enhances my existing understanding rather than creating entirely new knowledge. This approach helps me avoid going down rabbit holes. I want my writing to feel accessible and down-to-earth — unlike a scientific journal. Many of my earliest readers appreciated the conversational tone, and while I strive to maintain it, some articles have naturally demanded a different style.
Personal reflections
I will admit that I haven’t shared much about my personal life in my articles. I struggle with offering a window into my soul. However, I have shared certain personal experiences: my weight loss experience (How To Lose Weight Overnight), how a train almost ended me (I Almost Got Killed By A Train), and my struggles with mentoring (Sorry But I Cannot Be Your Mentor).
Writing consistently has opened several doors. Some of my articles have been republished in Business Day Newspaper and The Guardian Newspaper under a partnership with Enough is Enough (EiE Nigeria). I have guest-written articles for websites, offered writing advice, and shared my thoughts on various topics in different forums..
Maintaining this writing habit has also helped me to question things more and not take things at face value. I would say I have also become more tolerant and understanding. This happens when one strives to maintain objectivity by balancing opposing views.
My audience
What is a writer without an audience? Thankfully, I have no idea, at least I know a few people who read my articles regularly. Through the years, I have received more positive than critical comments, which makes me wonder if people share their true thoughts with me. I am certainly not averse to critique, and I believe it is important to receive feedback even if it isn’t positive.
My profound gratitude goes out to my loyal readers and to everyone in the twenty WhatsApp groups I “spam” with my articles every week. I don’t know how many of you read my articles, but if even one person is, that’s perfect.
What’s next?
Many people have asked me this question over the years. One logical next step is to compile selected articles into a book. This idea has been on my mind for a while, and I will get to it eventually. I have also been encouraged to start a podcast and a YouTube channel. Watch this space!
Before I forget, my closing mantra for all my articles remains: this is the way I see things today. It serves as a reminder that we can see things differently tomorrow, and it is perfectly okay to update our opinions when exposed to new information. Sadly, many people do not understand this and constantly berate others online for evolving their viewpoints.
Final thoughts
Perfection is unattainable. You don’t have to “go big or go home” — you can start small. If there’s something you’ve been procrastinating on (speaking to myself here as well), just go ahead and do it. You never know who is willing to support you until you take that first step, maybe all you need to support you is you! As always, this is the way I see things today!