Simon Willison makes a compelling case for why everyone should start blogging, and more importantly, what to blog about when the pressure to write something "unique" feels paralyzing.
His framework is refreshingly simple: write about things you've learned (TILs) and things you've built (project write-ups). Both remove the pressure to be groundbreaking while creating lasting value.
"I've definitely felt the self-imposed pressure to only write something if it's new, and unique, and feels like it's never been said before. This is a mental trap that does nothing but hold you back."
The TIL format is particularly liberating—you're not promising a tutorial or revelation, just sharing notes that might help someone else. Simon has published 346+ TILs since April 2020, most taking less than 10 minutes to write.
For project write-ups, he recommends making "write about it" part of your definition of done. Include screenshots or animated GIFs (he uses LICEcap) because projects succumb to bit-rot, and that documentation becomes the lasting artifact of your work.
"I tell myself that writing about something is the cost I have to pay for building it. And I always end up feeling that the effort was more than worthwhile."
This philosophy directly inspired the Links section you're reading now. Rather than waiting for perfect original insights, I'm documenting what I find interesting and why—starting a habit of consistent, low-stakes publishing.
Simon later expanded this framework to include a third category: things you've found—which is exactly what link blogs are for.