Sometimes I fret over how to spend my time. There’s so much to do and so little free time, especially lately.

One thing is true, though: I never regret spending time writing.

Sure, I might still engage in a bit of hand-wringing over *what* to write. Should I spend my time on a novel? On a couple blog posts? On a short story?

Let’s be clear that I’m talking about personal writing. Not client work. Client work needs to get done and is part of the productivity workflow. That’s a whole other thing.

No, I mean the time that’s available for me to just indulge the muse and do my own writing.

I can’t think of a single instance where I’ve spent a chunk of time doing that and looked back only to say “Ugh, I wish I’d made a different choice.”

Whatever form it takes, writing is almost always its own reward.

As I’ve said before, personal writing, even if it’s not something that will ever be published or otherwise made public, is akin to an athlete stretching before practice or competition. Or like an artist who does a warm up sketch before moving on to their commissioned work. It gets the fingers and creativity flowing.

Days that start off with a bit of pure writing, unencumbered by financial or other concerns, almost always turn out being good – or at least better – days.

Writing is a good in and of itself. It is its own reward. That’s a big reason why I do it.

Chris Thilk is a freelance writer and content strategist who lives in the Chicago suburbs.