This website is my way to think and to improve my writing skills

For the longest time, I struggled with what is the point of this website

I'm frustrated. Blogs are dead. No one goes to websites to read articles anymore. So why am I wasting my time? Why do I keep writing here?

To give context, I've had this website for over a year now. Over that time I have accumulated just 40 members. Who don't even read the articles. (And 2 or 3 of the accounts are my own.)

Now in comparison, my social media accounts: my Instagram has 121,000 followers and good videos reach a million plus viewers. The impact is tremendous. The videos I create there actually matter, people see them, and they like it. The time and effort I put into creating isn't wasted.

Short-form videos are much more impactful.

So why do I keep writing here? My time is better spent elsewhere, doing the high-leverage task.

Part of the reason I still write here is because of my dream to become an author/podcaster

My life wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for the insights and inspiration I gathered from good writers and good podcasters.

So I am just trying to carry on the torch.

If I didn't come across certain books or certain podcast episodes, I may have no interest in self-improvement, content creation, entrepreneurship, health, and fitness. As a result, my life would be worse off.

So no matter how upstream, uphill it is, I still want to pursue my dream of being a writer/podcaster that inspires others. I believe there's a certain culture of calm-minded, optimistic, growth-mindset individuals that see the potential and beauty in the world and I want to keep that culture alive.

One of the beauties of this website not being successful is that there's no pressure, and it's purely a passion project

This means I can uphold to my highest values and not be influenced by the pressure of the masses. No need to seek validation and likes. I simply can create what I think is best and what I love.

I can write to my heart's content, about any subject. I can use this website as a way to think openly and to improve my skills to explore and express myself. It is an open journal so to say.

I give myself permission to have no expectations of this website to succeed in anyway. I may grow old and die and my thoughts here will be lost forever. But I don't care, because at least I tried. I tried my best. I did what I could - and I did what I loved. What better way to live - with no regret - is there?

And maybe one day an AI can read my site and replicate my thinking. Wouldn't that be cool? An AI Jacob that lives on eternally. Kind of odd, no?

As long as this platform remains a place to train my brain, explore myself, and improve my skills of expression - and does not bring stress or obligation - then I believe it is worthwhile to continue writing here

I also believe the habit of writing here comes with the benefit of recentering myself to my purpose.

It's often too easy to get caught up and lead astray from the person we want to be, constant distractions and easy entertainment that leads us into the Lotus-Eaters, a time trap of nonconscious nonawareness drifting about in a daze-like slumbering state like a sheep.

It's so damn hard to remain conscious, vigilant, and alert.

I still believe writing and deep-thinking is one of the only ways to keep your head about surface while still understanding what is below.

Hope you all are doing well in your own self-improvement journey. I love you all.

Warm Regards,

Jacob Pugmire