The Blog I Didn’t Know I Needed

Yesterday, I had a conversation that stirred something deep in me. If you didn’t already know, one of the things I truly enjoy, maybe even a little too much, is writing and reading. Over the years, that passion has evolved into something more: editing manuscripts, reports, individual bios, and other publications. It’s one of those things I just do, and do well.

So there I was, chatting with someone whose manuscript I’d just had the privilege of editing. We were going over some of the changes I’d recommended when, in the middle of our conversation, he paused. This incredibly humble, yet very prominent figure in this country said to me, “I didn’t know you had this level of expertise. You really should be writing your own books.”

(Side note: once his book is out, please get it, especially if you’re thinking of becoming an entrepreneur or are already in the trenches of business life.)

Now, I didn’t tell him this, but I do have a book — The Routeen — which I published some time back and am currently editing for a second edition. The editing has been sitting on my desk longer than I care to admit, a classic case of procrastination. But hearing those words from someone like him felt like a divine nudge. If someone in his position, and with his track record believes I should be writing more, what excuse do I really have?

Instead of telling him about The Routeen, I just laughed and said, “I actually have nine book titles. I just haven’t written them yet.” And I wasn’t lying. But the moment the words left my mouth, I cringed. Nine titles. Zero manuscripts. Ouch! What’s wrong with you, Liz? I thought to myself.

So, naturally, I started reflecting: How did I even get into writing in the first place? You might not believe me if I tell you, but let me share this journey with you anyway.

It was around 2010. A friend had come from Kenya with a team and introduced a 10-week program called Mizizi. The whole point of the program was to help you discover who you are, why you are, your relationship with God, and, most importantly, your purpose.

At the end of the program, one of the facilitators asked us to share our feedback on their website. I posted mine. To my surprise, my post got a lot of attention, so much so that the facilitator told me, “You’re meant to be a blogger.” Now, at the time, I had no clue what blogging even was. So naturally, I just smiled and brushed it off.

But he didn’t. The next time we met, he brought it up again and even gave me some pointers on where to start a free blog online. He didn’t push, he didn’t force, but something had been planted in my heart. 

And that, my friend, is the power of words. Sometimes, they don’t have to shout; they just need to take root. That’s why I always say, be careful who you let into your ears, because whoever is in your ear has the power to influence you, not by force, but by quiet persuasion. Their words can shape your next step without them ever lifting a finger.

Anyway, back to my story. That seed he planted started to grow. I did what I do best when I don’t know much about a subject: I researched. I literally Googled “Blogging for Dummies.” That search led me to create my very first blog: www.laughterliz.wordpress.com (not sure it still exists). Why LaughterLiz, you ask? Well… people used to say I laugh a lot. (Spoiler: I still do 😄). So the name kind of stuck, and in hindsight, it captured my spirit perfectly.

Anyway, back to my story. On 3^rd March 2011, I posted my first article, titled Traffic Jam. At the time, I didn’t think much of it, just another novice writer trying to write. But within 24 hours, the post had over 500 hits. I remember thinking, “Wow, people must really be bored with life to find time to read my stuff.”  

But the bug had bitten — and I kept writing.

Eventually, I decided to move my writing to a more professional platform, and on 25^th July 2012, I officially launched this very blog. And I’ve been writing ever since… though to be honest, not all the posts I’ve written have made it here. Some are still sitting quietly in my drafts, patiently waiting for their moment. And yes, I’ll admit, there are a few years I didn’t blog at all. Life happened. Priorities shifted. But the love for writing? That never left me. 

If you’ve been following me on social media for a while, then you already know; my posts are rarely short. I always have something to say… and somehow, a lot to say while I’m at it. That’s actually why I decided to move the #StorySaturday posts to the blog. I realized 2,200 characters just aren’t enough – case in point, this post itself. I need more space, more freedom and more room to breathe between the lines.

But the journey has been far from smooth. Some posts blew up. Others didn’t make much noise. but I wrote anyway. Because that’s what writers do. We write through the silence, through the doubt, and through the dry spells (I mean writing dry spells—let me be clear before anyone’s mind wanders elsewhere 😄).

Then, somewhere in the middle of all that writing, something incredible happened; an opportunity I never saw coming came my way. And that one opportunity? It didn’t come alone. It brought with it a few of its relatives — totally unrelated, completely unexpected, yet somehow beautifully connected.

But… I’ll save that story for next week.

Looking back, I can now say I understand what Steve Jobs meant when he said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”

At the time, I had no idea where that one blog post would lead. No clue that a simple feedback comment on a website would open the door to a whole writing journey… or that it would lead me to edit books, write my own, and inspire others to start telling their stories too.

But now, years later, the dots connect. Every seed, every voice, every random nudge — it all mattered.

For today, here’s what this journey has taught me and what I hope it teaches you:

1. There are people who see value in you that you don’t see in yourself. Some people spot talents in you before you’ve even discovered them yourself. When they do, don’t dismiss it. Don’t downplay it. And please —don’t let imposter syndrome rob you of your voice.

2. Start where you are, with what you have. There’s a quote I love: “You don’t have to be great to start. But you have to start to be great.” Start small. Start unprepared. Start scared. Just start.

3. You’ll never feel ‘ready’. Waiting for perfect conditions is a trap. You’ll keep waiting, and waiting… and nothing will happen. Do it messy. Do it unpolished. Just do it.

4. Not every post will go viral (meaning not everything you do will be an instant hit), and that’s okay. Some of your best work might never trend. But if it came from your heart and helped one person? That’s enough. Keep showing up.

5. Consistency will take you where motivation can’t. There were days I didn’t feel like writing. But I did anyway. And those days built the muscle I now carry.

6. Feedback is a gift — even when it surprises you. That businessman? His words hit differently because they came unprompted. Sometimes we need an outside voice to remind us what we’re capable of.

7. Who you listen to matters. Let me say it again: whoever you listen to influences you. Choose your inner circle wisely. Let their influence be fuel, not a leash.

So that’s today’s story, straight from my pen to your screen.

I hope it reminds you to stop sitting on your gift. And maybe, just maybe, to start that thing you’ve been putting off.

Be Ignited. Be Inspired. Be Influenced. Become the best version of yourself you can ever be.