Writing Guidelines

The Experience Library is built from short reflections on real experiences — moments where something was learned the hard way.

These guidelines are here to help you decide what to write and how to shape it.

Start from experience

Write about something you lived through. A situation, period, decision, or turning point that changed how you think or act.

The most useful entries focus on what became clearer over time, not on retelling every detail.

Focus on the lesson

Ask yourself:

• What did I misunderstand at the time?
• What do I see differently now?
• What would I do differently if I faced this again?

You don’t need a neat conclusion. Many good lessons end with uncertainty or nuance.

Write plainly

Clear, direct writing works best here. You don’t need to sound polished, clever, or authoritative.

Write the way you would explain the experience to someone thoughtful and curious.

Handle sensitive topics with care

Difficult experiences are welcome, but they should be handled thoughtfully.

When writing about sensitive topics:

• Focus on meaning rather than graphic detail
• Avoid naming or identifying other people
• Add a content warning if the topic may be distressing

What to avoid

• Step-by-step advice or instructions
• Trying to persuade, debate, or prove a point
• Using the entry to promote yourself or something else
• Writing mainly to provoke or shock

Length and structure

Most entries are a few short sections or a few paragraphs. Write enough to make the lesson clear, and no more than that.

If the experience can’t be summarized yet, it’s okay to wait.

Before you submit

Before publishing, consider:

• Is this something I would want to find years later?
• Does it reflect what I actually learned, not just what happened?
• Have I been fair to the people involved?

In short

Write from experience. Be honest about what you didn’t know. Leave the reader with something real.