I Don't Call Myself a Writer Anymore
I create from the soul
2024 has been a strange year for me, I don’t call myself a writer anymore.
I’m focused on creating from the soul, and boxing myself into one skillset doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t sit well with me.
I’ve delved deep into video content creation this year, and it’s been refreshing. Cathartic, therapeutic if you will.
I enjoy sitting, talking and rambling on about anything that takes my fancy. It feels right.
I’m also obsessed with podcasting right now. I can record ten podcast episodes in one day without getting tired.
I’m turning all my articles in audio pieces for my podcast and YouTube channel. Trust me, it’s not easy shifting your focus away from the thing that changed your life. Writing saved me, literally.
I was about to commit suicide one time, and a voice in my head told to pull out my laptop and write. I spent the next four hours writing my first book about mental health and entrepreneurship
The book came to me so swiftly. It felt like divine intervention at the time. I sipped hot coffee all night, and completed the first draft in four hours.
I woke up with a banging headache and pages of my first masterpiece. Wow! Writing really did save me.
From there, I went on to build my first music blog, then another blog, then another, and another. Then, I applied for my first freelancing role, got it, made more than $30,000 in a month from freelancing and blogging combined. Things started to look up for me.
I was unstoppable.
Then, I went on to publish more than 2000 articles on Medium. Great!
Now, I have more than 10,000 articles online, now what?
I feel empty, like what next?
Anyway, video is my next big thing, and audio. I enjoy every minute of video and audio creation. It feels like that’s what I’m meant to be for the moment.
I don’t think I can ever quit writing completely, I’ll do it for fun if I have to. But I don’t want to put all my energy into writing anymore. Not to say, I won’t publish here whenever I feel like publishing, but I won’t force it, and I won’t push myself to do challenges here anymore.
I blog once a week on my main blog, and I have other things I’m working on. I don’t feel connected my newsletter anymore, so I’m glad it’s not a paid newsletter, and luckily, I’ve scheduled 50 pieces for the next year, I did that in a month, and I’m glad I did.
Today I’m in the mood to write, so I might schedule out a bunch of content for Medium, but I no longer have the desire to work my fingers to the bone as a writer. I’ll write when it comes to me, and I’ll spend most of my days creating video content and audio pieces. I’m also a fully qualified software engineer now, and I’m working on a project with a major client, which is fun.
Why do people think they must continue doing the same thing for the rest of their lives? I guess it’s the way we’re conditioned. I grew up in the 90s and honestly, we were forced to believe that the only path to success and happiness is to complete school, go to college, get a job, get a mortgage on a house, and work until we’re 65 years old.
I knew that life wasn’t for me from a very young age, and I quit my corporate job after six months of taking it on after college. I had no real plans for the future and my parents were fed up with me. I tried to figure out how to work online back then and I had no clue how to go about it.
Eventually, I ended up homeless in the middle of winter, and this is when everything shifted in my life. I built my first site, I wrote a book, I got my first clients, I found writing.
I’ll never regret becoming a writer, but I don’t want to restrict myself anymore. I’m ready to branch out and test the waters with other creative disciplines, such as digital art, clothes design, web design, graphic design, audio creation, video creation, and more.
I’m a multi-hyphenate, and I’m proud of it.
I make most of my my money from writing content based on articles I find on Google News and curated content. If you'd like to learn about curated content, please gain access to my training here. Also, to my Google News coaching here.
About the Creator
Edina Jackson-Yussif
I write about lifestyle, entrepreneurship and other things.
Writer for hire [email protected]
Entrepreneur
Software Developer + Machine Learning Specialist
Founder:
➡️Creator Vibes Club
➡️Article Flow Club
Keep reading
More stories from Edina Jackson-Yussif and writers in Journal and other communities.
How to Handle Burnout as a Creator
As a software engineer, digital entrepreneur, and content writer, I know firsthand what it feels like to experience burnout. The demands of creating content, managing projects, and maintaining a consistent online presence can be overwhelming. Burnout can creep in when you least expect it, leaving you feeling drained and uninspired. However, over the years, I’ve developed strategies to help me cope with and overcome burnout. Here’s a comprehensive guide to handling burnout, enriched by my personal experiences.
By Edina Jackson-Yussif about a year ago in Journal
Best Things to Do in Marrakech With Kids by Morocco Family Vacation
Before visiting Marrakech, I worried it might be “too much” for kids. Too busy. Too loud. Too intense. As a mom, those concerns are always front and center. I imagined crowded streets, nonstop noise, and my kids becoming overwhelmed before we even found our rhythm. What I learned instead was that Marrakech can be incredibly family-friendly if you approach it the right way. This city isn’t designed for rushing. It rewards slow travel, flexibility, and seeing everything through a child’s perspective. Once we stopped trying to “see it all” and focused on how our kids were feeling, Marrakech transformed from intimidating to magical. Timing Is Everything in Marrakech One of the biggest lessons we learned was when to explore. Early mornings and late afternoons were magical. The city felt calmer, the light was softer, and the streets were easier to navigate with children. Midday, on the other hand, was best reserved for rest. We learned quickly that pushing through the heat and crowds only led to tired kids and stressed parents. Once we adjusted our rhythm sightseeing in the morning, relaxing at midday, and going out again later everything felt easier. The kids were happier, and so were we. Jemaa el-fnaa: Short Visits, Big Memories Jemaa el-Fnaa was one of the places I was most nervous about. It’s famous for its energy, but that can feel overwhelming with kids. Instead of diving in headfirst, we approached it slowly. We didn’t rush into the main square. We visited briefly, stood on the edges, and let the kids observe at their own pace. They were fascinated by: The musicians and drummers Storytellers surrounded by small crowds Fresh orange juice stands being squeezed right in front of them We treated it like a short experience rather than a long stay. When we felt the energy shifting toward overload, we left — and that made all the difference. Jemaa el-Fnaa became exciting instead of exhausting. Majorelle Garden: A Calm Reset After the medina, Majorelle Garden felt like a sanctuary. The bold blue buildings, exotic plants, and open pathways gave the kids space to explore quietly without worrying about traffic or crowds. For the first time that day, everyone slowed down naturally. It was one of the few places where all of us relaxed instantly. The kids wandered, pointed out plants, and asked questions. I realized how important it was to balance busy areas with peaceful ones. Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride This simple activity became a highlight of our time in Marrakech. The horse-drawn carriage ride allowed the kids to see the city without walking endlessly. They loved the gentle rhythm of the ride, waving at people as we passed by. For us, it was a chance to rest while still experiencing the city. It also helped us understand the layout of Marrakech without stress. Seeing neighborhoods from a distance gave us confidence for later walks. Cooking Classes That Include Kids A short Moroccan cooking experience turned into an unexpected favorite. The kids helped mix ingredients, shape dough, and taste what they made. They were proud of their involvement and suddenly much more interested in Moroccan food than before. It wasn’t just fun it changed their mindset. Instead of being hesitant about unfamiliar dishes, they were curious and excited. Meals became something they looked forward to, not worried about. Riads: Perfect for Families Staying in a riad completely changed our experience. The courtyards provided quiet space after busy days. The fountains fascinated the kids, and the enclosed layout made everything feel safe and contained. Evenings were calm, which helped the kids wind down naturally. It felt personal and peaceful exactly what families need after navigating a lively city. Souks as a Game, Not a Task Instead of serious shopping, we turned souk visits into small adventures. We made it into a game: Spot the brightest lantern Choose one small souvenir each Guess spices by smell This approach kept the kids engaged and prevented meltdowns. The souks stopped feeling chaotic and started feeling playful. What We Chose Not to Do Just as important as what we did was what we skipped. We avoided: Overpacked itineraries Late nights Long walks without breaks We learned that saying no to certain activities meant saying yes to better moments as a family. Planning Marrakech with kids takes experience. Having guidance from the company we booked with helped us avoid common mistakes and choose activities that matched our family’s pace instead of fighting against it. Final Thoughts Marrakech isn’t chaotic when you slow it down. With kids, it becomes colorful, musical, and surprisingly gentle. By choosing the right moments, pacing our days carefully, and listening to our children’s energy levels, Marrakech became one of the most rewarding cities we’ve ever visited together not despite traveling with kids, but because of it.
By Ariel Cohen5 days ago in Journal
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.