You Aren’t Something Until You Are Something

I first had the idea to write Swimming’s Book of The Five Rings years ago, and shortly after having that idea, I told myself I wasn’t a writer.

Sure, I loved books, poetry, and the spark of creativity that comes from exploring the world through words, but when it came to sitting down and writing anything, let alone a book, I stopped myself before I ever began. I thought, Who am I to write a book? I wasn’t a “writer.” I didn’t know about writing structure, how to create a voice, flow, style, or even some basic rules of the written word. I was out of my depth.

And so the idea stayed locked away, waiting.

Here’s the thing: you aren’t something until you are something. You don’t become a swimmer by reading about swimming. You don’t become a musician by watching videos of someone else play guitar. And you don’t become a writer by waiting until you feel ready.

The only way to become is to begin.

When I finally sat down to write my book, I realized no one knows what they’re doing at the start. Every writer, no matter how accomplished, has faced the same blank page. The difference is that some decide to dive in despite the doubt. They trust that clarity, skill, and confidence will come along the way.

There’s also a hidden advantage to being a beginner, an amateur. The word amateur comes from the Latin amator, meaning “lover.” At its root, an amateur is someone who does something for the love of it. Beginners aren’t weighed down by rigid rules or the pressure of expertise; they’re free to explore, experiment, and create with curiosity. That love, unpolished but genuine, can fuel the work more than technical mastery ever could.

Writing, like any pursuit, is a process. You don’t need to be an expert before you begin, you become an expert by showing up day after day.

I share this because I know how many dreams get postponed by the myth of “not being ready.” People talk themselves out of starting because they’re waiting for permission or perfection. But the truth is, the moment you start; messy, imperfect, unsure, that’s the moment you cross the threshold.

You’re no longer someone who “wants to write a book.” You’re a writer.

So, whatever it is you’ve been holding back from, whether it’s writing, painting, running a business, or learning a new skill, stop waiting to be something before you start. Begin, and let the process shape you into what you are becoming, and then, keep working!

Because you aren’t something until you are something. And the only way to get there is to take the first step.