People write every day about many different topics. One of the most consumed art forms in writing, and it also serves as news and a means of staying informed. Writing about yourself could be in the form of an essay, bio (about myself), memoir, blog post, or even cover letter.
How would you describe yourself is a question people shy from? How to describe yourself seems easy until you have to sit in front of a computer to conjure words that express who you are or an experience you have gone through.
Technical writing is somewhat easy because you can read what others wrote and form an opinion, but the problem with that is your original voice never really gets to shine through. This is different when it comes to an essay describing yourself.
Reasons why writing about ourselves is hard.
● We think we will be judged.
Many students who have to write about themselves in a college or university course find it hard because they have to explain how they see the world and their perception of certain topics. This may seem like oversharing and giving free writing samples such that if it’s too personal.
That feeling we get that anyone who reads will form an opinion about them and judge them for having certain preferences. It should not prevent the thought of “I should be writing excellent sample about myself” just because you think others may judge you. It is important to remember that your experiences and life stories may resonate with the audience. Many people may find solace and comfort in whatever you write about because a shared experience means they aren’t alone.
● We are seeking validation from people.
Many people seek validation without realizing it. Many people stay away from writing about themselves because they think writing about themselves might be boring. They may not get the praise they want or the hype from writing on other interesting topics like trends or gossip.
We seek validation so badly that we find ourselves making relationships that can’t survive the test of time, joining in groups we don’t fancy, chasing interests we don’t care for, and doing things we don’t value because we want people to like us and think we are cool. This want is then brought into our writing, and we think if we write about our true selves, we will lose some of the love people have for us, which is wrong.
● We fear Rejection
One of the greatest fears of any writer is rejection. Rejection comes with the territory of writing because it is a very subjective field except for technical writing. This fear is usually absorbed by people, leading to writing more about non-personal topics. A reaction of those will not feel like a direct hit on them, whereas an essay about themselves would feel like a direct attack if rejected.
How to write about yourself
While there’s no formula or formal education for writing about oneself, there are some tips that can guide you to writing a succinct essay or post that anyone reading can enjoy. These include;
● Be candid
One of the 7Cs of good writing is being candid or true. This is one of the first ways you can connect to your target audience. No matter what you are writing about, it is important, to be honest, but this is even more applicable when it is about you. Writing about yourself will require you to open up your soul and mind to your readers, and to do this, you should have a plan or goal.
● Introduce yourself
A little introduction at the beginning of your work helps give your readers some background about you and the part of your life you’re going to share, although this is also greatly dependent on the writing. This helps your readers connect the dots and connect better. You can start with your name, where you grew up, and some of your influences growing up.
● Avoid Cliches
Cliches make your work lose originality. Everyone has a voice. Instead of using phrases everyone else uses in your writing, try to use phrases that are true to you. One of the best ways to achieve this is by exploring complex topics that haven’t been broadly defined, by staying true to individual experiences and specific scenarios. The goal is to share original stories and thoughts.
Conclusion
Writing about yourself isn’t easy as already established. However, if you find it difficult to think objectively about yourself, remember you have the option of asking people around you that know you well enough. They can tell you about your good traits and talents and the not so favorable ones. This can help you pick out vital information that can make a rich piece of writing.