I have to say, I’m impressed with myself.

Seven days may not seem like a high bar, but that doesn’t make it any less difficult. This week was a small way for me to challenge the way I approach my craft, and to find ways to stay creative. I’m proud of myself for sticking with it. Not only did I meet my goal, but I’ve also grown as a writer and a person.

Here are 7 things I learned writing every day for 7 days:

1. I get bored 

Actually, this is not brand new information. I love challenges and opportunities to grow, but I have a tendency to lose interest quickly. I felt a little bored with it by Wednesday night, when I was scraping for ideas to write. I nearly thought about skipping the day, nobody would notice. But I realized that instead of dropping things at the first sign of boredom, sometimes that’s a sign that I need to stick with it a little longer. Funny enough, that post turned out to be the most read post from the week.

2. But it’s ok to take a break

Even though it’s ok to be bored, it’s also ok to leave my desk and go for a walk when nothing is coming to me. There’s no sense in wasting a beautiful day in front of a computer screen. Movement and exercise is good for my health and my creativity.

3. I don’t always need to be inspired to write

I can write really powerful and poignant stories that move people. I can write about counting down the minutes until Beyonce’s Renaissance World Tour ticket presale on a Saturday morning. Not everything I write needs to be felt. I just need to write.

4. Writing makes me better at my job

As much as I wish this blog paid my bills, it doesn’t. I’m a freelance communications and digital marketing specialist. But throughout this week I noticed that I was more focused and productive doing my assignments at work because I was in the habit of writing for myself. When I’m doing what I love consistently, that energy transfers to other areas that need my attention too.

5. I want to be better at consistency

This week has shown my what I’m able to accomplish when I’m disciplined and consistent. I feel better, I’m more satisfied, I’m more motivated in a lot of different areas in my life. Honestly, I’m debating if I keep posting every day for the rest of the year. Consistency is good for me. Even if I don’t see results right away, I’m moving in a good direction.

6. I’m paying more attention

Writing every single day has forced me to look at anything and everything in my life where I could possibly draw inspiration from. What’s frustrating me that I can write about? What am I worried about that I can write about? What makes me smile that I can write about? Inspiration is everywhere, I just never paid it much attention before.

7. It’s just writing

Toward the beginning of the week, I found myself hovering over the stats of visitors, likes, and comments, not just on the blog but all social media platforms where I announced the day’s post. After a couple days I realized how silly it was to be staring at numbers that don’t matter. Again, this blog doesn’t pay my bills (yet). Nor is my writing saving any lives or creating world peace. I don’t need to obsess over who is reading it and what they think about it. This challenge wasn’t about anyone else but myself to begin with. I can chill out with that main character energy.

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This is the end of my 7 day writing challenge. It wasn’t long enough to be completely relieved that it’s over, but it wasn’t necessarily short enough that I want to keep it going. I may keep writing and posting daily, I may skip a few days. But I will approach my art with new perspective and appreciation.

Side note: I’ve been getting into anime again, can you tell?