Why I Keep Writing the Stories I Can’t Let Go
I’ve been carrying some of my story ideas with me for years—decades, actually. They’ve evolved and faded, resurfaced, changed form. But they’ve never really left me. And that’s why I keep writing: to give these ideas a place to live, even if no one’s reading yet.
That’s part of why I keep writing. For me, these stories feel like old companions. Some go all the way back to my DeviantArt days—when I was younger, a bit more inspired, and surrounded by a creative community that made writing feel alive. I imagined one day turning my stories over to someone else—a prodigy who’d finish what I started.
But I never did. And maybe no one will. So instead, I write them now, when I can. Because it would feel like a waste not to. These ideas deserve a chance to live outside of my head.
Writing When No One’s Watching
There’s a kind of freedom that comes with writing when no one’s paying attention. No pressure to perform. No pressure from metrics—though I still pay attention to them. But I try not to let it get in the way of the joy of writing itself. Just words, and the quiet purpose of getting them down.
Whether it’s a story draft, a blog post, or a passing thought—I write because it helps me reflect. I write to make sense of what I’m thinking. There’s no real difference in how I write when I expect people to read versus when I don’t. I’m just sharing my thoughts and insights, because they’re mine. And that’s enough.
Over time, blogging has become something I do for discoverability. It’s part of how I get my work and ideas seen, especially now that I’ve been refining my site and trying to build a brand. But even then, I still write for me. Especially when I’m alone. Especially when something’s been turning over in my head for a while.
The Ideas I Thought I’d Never Forget
I used to think that if an idea was strong enough, I’d remember it forever. That I didn’t need to write anything down. But I’ve learned the hard way that even the most vivid stories can fade—sometimes the details, sometimes the emotions that made them matter.
That’s another reason why I keep writing. Because while some ideas do fade, others evolve—and the only way to hold onto them, or shape what they could become, is to get them down while they’re still fresh.
A Return to Form (and Feeling)
When I picked up writing again recently—after years of creative silence—I found that it gave me something I didn’t know I needed. It helped me process emotions and feel more grounded.
Writing became a kind of anchor. Not just for creativity, but for clarity.
That shift has also changed the way I view success. In a perfect world, I’d be selling ebooks on Amazon or Google Play. I’d be making waves with my stories. And while that hasn’t happened (yet), I have seen more visibility through search and LinkedIn—so maybe I’m starting to gain a bit of traction, at least in the professional space.
Leaving Something Behind
There’s one more reason why I keep writing.
It’s not just for promotion, clarity, or creative momentum. It’s for memory. It’s for legacy.
Even if no one reads everything I post—even if some things go unnoticed—I believe that writing leaves a trace. A kind of personal archive. A digital record of the way I thought, what I felt, and what I cared about.
I’m not writing for virality. I’m writing for continuity.
And sometimes, that’s the most honest kind of storytelling there is.
About Me
I’m JP B. Bantigue, CLSSBB—a multidisciplinary digital professional with a background in UI/UX design, front-end development, and project strategy. I’ve spent over a decade navigating life in startups and agencies, wearing many hats along the way. Through it all, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t only come from wins. It often comes from burnout, difficult decisions, and learning how to let go. Writing is how I process it all—and sometimes, how I find my way back to myself.
