Ten years ago, I thought having a “writing voice” meant sounding polished, professional, and a little bit distant. I believed good writing was about structure, rules, and making sure nothing felt too personal or too messy.
What I didn’t realize back then was that voice isn’t something you build by following formulas. It’s something that forms slowly through experience, confidence, and a whole lot of trial and error.
Learning to Stop Writing Like Everyone Else
In the beginning, I wrote the way I thought I was supposed to write. I mimicked other bloggers, borrowed tones from articles I admired, and tried to fit into whatever style seemed popular at the time. I was more focused on blending in than standing out.
Over time, that approach started to feel forced. The words were fine, but they didn’t sound like me. They sounded like someone trying very hard to be taken seriously.
Becoming Comfortable with Simplicity
As the years passed, my writing got simpler. Not less thoughtful, just less cluttered. I stopped over explaining, stopped padding sentences, and stopped trying to impress people I didn’t even know.
Shorter sentences felt more natural. Clear thoughts felt better than complicated ones. Writing became less about performance and more about communication.
Letting Personality Show Up on the Page
At some point, I stopped editing out my personality. I let humor stay. I let opinions stay. I let honesty stay, even when it felt a little uncomfortable.
That shift changed everything. The blog felt more alive. The writing felt more like a conversation instead of a presentation.
Trusting My Own Perspective
Early on, I constantly questioned whether my thoughts were interesting enough to share. I looked for validation in trends and topics instead of trusting my own experiences.
Now, I trust that my perspective has value simply because it is mine. I no longer feel the need to justify why I’m writing about something. If it matters to me, it’s worth exploring.
Related: Gigi’s Ramblings Then vs Now: A Decade of Change
Writing with Less Fear
Fear used to control a lot of my choices. Fear of being judged. Fear of saying the wrong thing. Fear of not sounding smart enough.
That fear has faded. Not completely, but enough that it no longer runs the show. I write with more confidence, more ease, and far less overthinking.
What I Know Now
My voice didn’t change because I learned better rules. It changed because I stopped trying to follow them so closely.
Ten years of writing taught me that the strongest voice isn’t the loudest or the most polished. It’s the one that feels honest, consistent, and comfortable in its own skin.
And that’s something no style guide can teach.
Lisa Crow contributed to this article. She is a true crime junkie and lifestyle blogger based in Waco, Texas. Lisa is the Head of Content at Gigi’s Ramblings and Southern Bred True Crime Junkie. She spends her free time traveling when she can and making memories with her large family which consists of six children and fifteen grandchildren.