This January, one of my friends, Rory O’Driscoll, participated in a writing challenge where he wrote a blog post every day of the month. I heard about what he was doing halfway into the month after talking to his brother, Aidan. After a couple days of reading the past posts, I was completely caught up and eagerly awaiting his daily post. I loved it. I was enamored and inspired by the quality and vulnerable stories that Rory brought to the table. Even though Rory hails from the prodigious O’Driscoll writing family, his witty tone and graceful writing style was on full display. As I read everything Rory wrote, I soon started thinking about how I wanted to do exactly what he was doing. A few months later, starting July 1, 2025, I intend to replicate Rory’s effort: one post per day. While I cannot promise magical writing nor depth of thought, I do promise to publish some form of rambling every day. 

Here is the link to the first post that Rory wrote on January 1, 2025. I also recommend reading through the additional 29 days. Link: https://substack.com/home/post/p-153880046. 

So to Rory, thank you for the inspiration and model that I can now follow. I already have a list of about a dozen different topics I want to write about. That being said, I am going to approach every day with an open mind and let the stories emerge and develop without an overall structure. Unless clearly chronicled, each post will stand on its own and give a brief glimpse into my own thoughts and experiences. 

I do want to make a point about my blog writing in general. What is the purpose of this blog and challenge? Why write and publish something every day even if only one other person reads it? I have three solid reasons that will hold true throughout the next 30 days. 

Reason One: To sharpen my perceptions and self-clarity. When I write, especially when I write things for other people to read, it demands an awareness and clarity of thought that I do not experience in other activities. Contrast this blog to journaling, where I write with a reflective stream of consciousness. I often use broken and segmented language that would appear nonsensical to the foreigner of my own mind. Journaling is solely for myself to let my mind learn and rest. On the other hand, the blog and it’s writing process, forces me to repeatedly think through my ideas and the language I am using to articulate and describe my own mind. Longer form writing requires a different mental state than merely pondering and appreciating thoughts. It is a rigorous pursuit that forges mental clarity, better questions, and accuracy through editing. 

Reason Two: To engage with writing through connection, brevity, and conviction. [On connection] I will find this journey more enjoyable and rewarding if I know there is another person engaging with what I write. I will write regardless, but I do appreciate the readers time and hope to make it worth it. [On brevity] I believe the best writers can say more while using fewer words. I want to pay particular attention to making every word and sentence count. [On conviction] Writing with unhindered conviction is particularly important to me because it is a personal weakness where I have room to grow. I often tend to write and communicate neutrally, to appease as many people as possible. This is a dangerous slope where I can slide into dishonesty and timidness in my own writing. So when I write anything that is antithetical to the way you view the world it stems not from a desire for conflict or persecution, but from a desire to express myself truly (knowing I am wrong about most things).

Reason Three: To have fun and remember stories. Perhaps most importantly, writing this month will be a happy and worthwhile adventure. I enjoy the writing process and it is a good way for me to be artistic and creative. This blog will be a timeless document about who I am as a person. Decades in the future, I imagine I’ll have forgotten everything I wrote. It will be quite amazing to go back and read about my life in July 2025. Hello future, Luke.  

See you tomorrow.