Let me start by saying this: there’s nothing wrong with being a hobbyist.
Hobbyists write for love. For joy. For escape. For themselves.
But there is a difference.
It’s not about talent. It’s not about success. It’s not about how many followers you have or how much money you’ve made.
The difference is how you show up.
A hobbyist writes when the mood strikes.
A professional writes even when it doesn’t.
A hobbyist finishes things when it’s fun. When it’s easy.
A professional finishes things even when it’s hard.
A hobbyist worries about getting it right.
A professional worries about getting it done.
It’s about approach, not outcome.
You don’t have to be published to be a professional. You don’t need an agent, or a book deal, or a paid Substack.
You just need to show up like it matters. Because it does. To you.
When you make space for your writing, when you protect that space, when you choose to do the work even when no one’s watching—that’s the shift.
That’s when it stops being a dream and starts becoming a practice.