Participating in the Write A Page A Day (WAPAD) campaign by Blogchatter, where you write every day in February to reach a target of 10,000 words, has been an incredible growth journey for me. This year marks my third participation, and with the benefit of hindsight, I can see just how much I’ve evolved over these three campaigns.
Year One: Chasing Word Counts
In my first year, I was enthusiastic about the challenge of writing daily, but the 10,000-word target gave me jitters. My primary reason for participating was to cultivate a daily writing habit.
Most days, I journaled my reflections, keeping them private. Yet, on days when I didn’t feel like writing, the thought of logging a zero-word count pushed me to write at least 50 words. Throughout the month, I was obsessed with tracking my word count and calculating my progress, focusing more on reaching the target than enjoying the writing process itself.
Year Two: Seeking Validation
By the second year, I was more confident about meeting the word count. I planned ahead and decided to write love-themed poems, sharing one each day on my blog. I genuinely enjoyed interacting with readers and fellow bloggers, but the pressure to post 28 poems in 28 days started feeling overwhelming by the third week.
Though I persisted—editing and posting older poems on low-energy days—I realized that writing for validation wasn’t fulfilling. Trying to force creativity into a time frame didn’t always bring out my best work.
Year Three: Writing for the Joy of It
This year, I approached WAPAD without a rigid plan. Writing has become second nature to me, and past experiences with Blogchatter campaigns have established me as a writer within my circle. I no longer feared word counts, and having various writing projects, from poetry editing and translation to website copywriting and book formatting, I felt liberated to write purely for the joy of it.
I embraced days with zero word counts without guilt or panic. I also experimented with long-form content, including writing for a book and journaling for self-reflection, without feeling the urge to post online instantly. This year, I learned to sit with my words, ruminate, and reflect before editing, fully enjoying the writing process.
The Evolution
Reflecting on these three years, I realize how much I’ve grown. From anxiously tracking word counts to seeking validation, and finally, to writing for the love of writing itself, my journey with WAPAD has been transformative. I’ve learned to embrace the process, let go of self-imposed pressures, and find joy in simply putting words on paper. And that, to me, is a win worth celebrating.
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