I'm still writing long-form articles, and I think you should too

I wrote my first LinkedIn article in 2022. Forty articles later, I'm still convinced it's a great habit.

When I look back at that first piece, I realize I've come a long way in improving my writing skills. I also know I still have a long way to go.

Before ChatGPT, founders were often advised to write. Back then, it was hard. GenAI has made the process much easier, and some people use it to write posts, articles, and even books.

I still write on my own, though. I do use AI to polish or correct the final version (more on that below), but the ideas and style are mine.

Going through what Simon Sinek calls the "excruciating journey" of writing is what helps me grow. And I want to keep growing.

Why I still write

I write one article every month for three main reasons:

1. To learn

I learn more by writing than by reading. Writing forces me to double-check facts, research opposing points of view, and challenge my own assumptions.

I dive deeper into topics to make sure my arguments are solid enough - or not. That process pushes me outside my comfort zone, which is always a good way to learn.

2. To think more clearly

Most of the topics I write about relate to things that matter to me in life or at work.

When I write, I have to structure my thoughts and tackle the topic from multiple angles.

That continuous internal dialogue brings much more clarity and depth to my thinking.

3. To stay consistent

This may be the most banal reason, but it's simply how I'm wired. When I start something meaningful, I do my best to commit to it.

Honestly, stopping writing would feel like failing the commitment I made to myself when I first started.

I've maintained some good habits for more than 25 years now, and I expect writing to become one of them.

How I use AI in writing

In line with my principle of steering AI instead of trusting it blindly, I come up with the article topics myself.

I still write like in the pre-AI era: dumping ideas onto the page, structuring the flow, and refining each section.

Once I'm at the final review stage, I ask ChatGPT to go over the article and reword anything doesn't sound natural in English. (I'm fluent, but English is not my native language.)

I make sure the prompt explicitly asks for the tone of voice and style to be preserved. I then review every suggestion and only keep the changes that really improve the article.

(I used that exact approach for this article by the way.)

Why you should write too

In the age of AI slop, people value genuine human experience.

Knowledge itself has become abundant and easily accessible through AI assistants. What AI can't replicate is lived experience.

Humans are wired for stories. Readers will always care about what actually worked for you and how common advice played out in your specific context.

Writing is also a way to help others who are earlier in their journey. You definitely know something your readers don't or you bring them a perspective they haven't considered.

That alone makes writing worth sharing.