I had to restart during the Pandemic: Here’s How Writing Became My Way Forward
From suspended work to broken tools
— how I turned uncertainty into a new path through words.
In 2020, when the world was shutting
down, so was my income.
I had been working with a company
that, like many others, couldn’t survive the economic stillness of the COVID-19
lockdown. They suspended our contracts, not out of malice, but survival.
Products weren’t moving, sales were flat, and paying staff had become a luxury.
Suddenly, I found myself at home, no
salary, no structure, just uncertainty and too much silence. However, I wasn’t
completely empty-handed.
1.
I Had Nothing Stable, Except My Words
Before the pandemic, I had already
begun exploring my passion for writing children’s picture books. My goal was
simple: publish stories that touched young minds and wait for publishers to buy
them.
But waiting became too long. When
the pandemic hit, I realized maybe I didn’t need to wait. I owned a laptop that
barely worked, it would shut off on its own, sometimes in the middle of
writing. I had to type while saving every 30 seconds, constantly praying it
wouldn’t crash. But I kept going.
“Sometimes, your breakthrough hides
behind what frustrates you most.”
2. The Internet Became My Classroom and My Window
With no publisher knocking, I turned
to the one place still open- the internet. I searched for phrases like "how
to earn from writing," "how to publish your own blog,"
and "writing platforms that pay."
What I discovered changed
everything:
- I didn’t need to wait for permission.
- I didn’t need to pay upfront.
- I just needed to show up with my words, consistently.
I began to learn about blogging, content writing, and affiliate marketing, and realized that writing wasn’t just a passion; it could be a path.
3. Growth Doesn’t Shout: It Learns to Whisper First
I didn’t go viral.
I didn’t earn $1,000 in a week.
But I kept writing.
At first, it was just short
reflections — personal growth, entrepreneurial ideas, African stories with
meaning. I posted quietly. Some people read; some didn’t. But I realized growth
wasn’t loud; it was in the repetition:
- Writing in silence
- Publishing without applause
- Learning through trial and error
This wasn’t failure. It was
foundation.
4.
My African Story Wasn’t a Limitation, It Was My Power
At one point, I questioned myself:
“Who wants to hear about someone like me?”
“Another writer from Rwanda — will my voice even matter?”
But I leaned into it.
I began telling the honest truth — what it felt like to lose work, how I built
new habits in quiet days, and why our stories in Africa are just as relevant as
anyone else’s.
And that’s when people began to
respond.
Because stories rooted in real life always find a place to land.
5. I Still Don’t Have It All, But I Have Direction
I’m not done yet. I haven’t reached
all my goals.
But now I’m building something with my voice, my lessons, and my patience.
I’m creating content. I’m planning my blog.
I’m sharing thoughts on growth, entrepreneurship and African resilience, and
people are listening.
Not millions. But enough to matter. Enough to keep going.
Final
Thoughts
If you’re stuck, if your tools are
broken, if your path seems blurry please start with what you have.
- You don’t need a perfect machine to write.
- You don’t need a crowd to begin.
- You just need the courage to create consistently — even
in uncertainty.
Your voice matters.
Your story matters.
And someone out there is waiting to hear it.
I’m Marc — a passionate writer sharing stories on growth, entrepreneurship, and African resilience. Follow me for more human, practical lessons from the journey.
