And after all that work, after all the sleepless nights and stress-filled revisions, what happened? My thesis was approved… and then tucked away in a university database where only a handful of people would ever read it. Well, I did publish a scholarly article in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol, on the Verbal and Nonverbal Abstracting- Problem-Solving Abilities and Familial Alcoholism in Female Alcoholics. Sure you have read it. (LOL) Over the years,  I haven’t gotten anyone to read it unless they are a research nerd like me or trying to fall asleep. 

Fast forward to today, and writing has become a completely different experience for me. I write my books, my blogs, my courses, my rules, my way. There are no committees to please, no approval boards to impress, no rigid formatting to follow. I write to teach, to share, and to inspire—not to check off an academic requirement.

I choose the topics that resonate with me. I tell stories that matter. I write in a way that connects with people, not just to meet a scholarly standard. And the best part? My work actually reaches an audience—real people who find value in what I share, instead of being locked away in a library archive.

If you’ve ever had flashbacks of your academic writing days and felt paralyzed at the thought of creating content now, I get it. You spent years training your brain to write a certain way, following strict guidelines, and now, the idea of writing freely feels almost… wrong. But let me tell you, it’s the most freeing experience you’ll ever have!

Here’s why you should shake off the academic chains and start writing your way:

1.  Your Story Matters—No Approval Needed
You don’t need a committee’s permission to share your knowledge or experiences. Your story has value simply because it’s yours. People want to hear real talk, not research-heavy jargon.

2. You Set the Format—No More APA Rules
Hate footnotes? Skip them. Want to use bullet points, short paragraphs, or even emojis? Go for it! Your content should reflect your voice, not an academic standard.

3. Done is Better Than Perfect
Unlike your thesis, which had to be near-perfect to pass, your content doesn’t need endless rewrites. Write it, refine it, and put it out into the world. Someone is waiting for what you have to say!

4️.You Get to Make an Impact
Instead of your work being stored in an academic archive, your content can inspire, educate, and help others. Whether it’s a book, a blog, or an online course, your words can change lives.

5. Writing Can Be Fun Again!
Remember when writing used to feel natural and enjoyable? Before the endless red marks and citation stress? You can get back to that place and actually enjoy sharing what you know.

✅ Write Like You Talk – If you wouldn’t say it that way in a conversation, don’t write it that way. Make your content conversational and easy to digest.

✅ Start Small – You don’t have to write a book overnight. Begin with social media posts, blog articles, or journaling to ease into your own style.

✅ Forget the “Rules” – The only rule in writing now is that there are no rules. Your audience cares about what you have to say, not whether it’s structured like a thesis.

✅ Think About Your Audience – Who do you want to reach? Speak directly to them and share what you know in a way that makes sense to them, not an academic board.

✅ Just Start Writing – Perfectionism is a creativity killer. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to exist!

If you’ve been holding back on writing because of your thesis or dissertation experience, it’s time to let that go. Writing now is about freedom, expression, and impact. No approval needed. No formatting stress. Just you, your words, and the people who need to hear them.

Blessings,

Dr. Janice R. Love