Conquering the Anxiety of Sharing Your Personal Story Through Blogging

As a doctor, I have been contemplating starting a personal blog for quite some time now. But the thought of coming across as narcissistic has always stopped me from doing so. However, recently, while listening to the Tim Ferriss Show, I came across Derek Sivers and his reference to Austin Kleon's book 'Show Your Work.' So, I have decided to start this blog by addressing my own fears of personal blogging.

Let's talk about some common concerns that come to mind when one thinks of starting a blog. The first one is - "No one will care what I have to say." It's natural to feel insecure about whether what you're sharing is interesting enough for others to read. But, think of it this way, if what you write is useful or interesting to even one person in the world, then it's worth sharing. As Annie Dillard said, "The impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes." So, if even a few people find my blog useful, then I have achieved my purpose.

The second concern is - "I'm not good enough to write about this." You don't need to be an expert in a particular field to share your experiences, thoughts, or lessons learnt. As Kleon explains in his book, it's okay to be an amateur. You may not have formal training, but you can still share what you've learnt, and others can learn from your failures and successes. In fact, sometimes, people who know less about a particular subject can explain things better because they have recently encountered the same difficulties. As C.S.Lewis said, "The fellow-pupil can help more than the master because he knows less. The expert met it so long ago he has forgotten."

So, what are you waiting for? If you're thinking of starting a blog, remember to not worry about being an expert or a professional. Wear your amateurism on your sleeve, share what you love, and the people who love the same things will find you.

Concern Three: "People will think I'm really self-centered if I'm writing about my own life" This concern stems from the fear of being perceived as narcissistic or self-centered for sharing personal experiences and thoughts. However, the reality is that most people are interested in hearing about the experiences of others, as long as they are relatable and genuine. In fact, sharing personal experiences can often create a sense of connection and community with readers.

As a physician, I can attest to the power of personal stories in building empathy and understanding between patients and healthcare providers. Patients often feel more comfortable opening up to doctors who share their own experiences or struggles, as it creates a sense of trust and shared understanding.

Additionally, writing about personal experiences can be a way to process and reflect on them, leading to personal growth and self-awareness. By sharing these experiences with others, we can also provide insights and lessons learned that may help others going through similar situations.

So, if you're worried about being perceived as self-centered for starting a personal blog, remember that sharing personal experiences can actually be a way to build connections and help others.

There are many valid concerns that may hold us back from starting a personal blog. However, by addressing these concerns and focusing on the potential benefits of sharing our experiences, we can overcome our fears and take the first step towards creating something meaningful and impactful. As a doctor, I encourage everyone to consider starting a personal blog as a way to share their stories, connect with others, and promote personal growth.