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Malik Writes

Malik Writes

Malik Gonzalez's personal blog and portfolio, where storytelling meets brand clarity, empowering creators and small businesses through thoughtful marketing.

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I Had to Lower My Reading Goal to Enjoy Reading Again

February 17, 2026 by Malik

Hear me out on this reading goal thing. Two years ago, I set a goal to read 36 books. I fell off completely. Didn’t even finish the year reading. This year, I told myself I’d be more “realistic.”I set the goal to 24 books. I fell off AGAIN. And this time, I started doing something embarrassing….

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Welcome to New York

February 17, 2026 by Malik

As I grab my bag from the overhead I hear, “we have arrived at JFK, welcome to New York.” Words I never thought I would hear in my life. I come from a small town with a population of about 23K. I would’ve been lucky just to leave the city, let alone Texas. New York…

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About Meh

This is where I think out loud.

I’m Malik. Writer, designer, and chronic dot connector. I write about storytelling, personal branding, creative work, and occasionally whatever I’ve just become obsessed with.

The throughline is always the same though. The story beneath the surface.

Pull up a chair with your matcha.

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maliktells

I was using AI to make my writing sound like the v I was using AI to make my writing sound like the version of me I thought people wanted to see.

And I told myself it was fine because I wrote it first.

But then I started thinking about photographers. Nobody complains when a camera does the heavy lifting. 

So why are we so up in arms about writers using AI?

There's a line though. And once I figured out where it was, it changed how I write completely.

New blog post is up. Link in bio.
I'm on my "artist date" where I'm out solo to cont I'm on my "artist date" where I'm out solo to continue building a relationship with my "artist self."

I haven't been feeling like an artist for a few months now. I've been on survival mode focusing on business and stopped having fun with the work I do.

This morning I thought back to Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way where she says to go on a once a week solo expedition to do something that fires up your imagination or simply brings you joy.

For me today is being at one of my favorite coffee shops @sweettweetsbakeryep and have my iced vanilla matcha, portable keyboard and iPad to write for my Substack.

It feels good showing up the version of me I want to be today. Which btw if you want to take a peek at my writing, check out my Substack, link is in bio.

If you were to be your artist self for the week, who would you show up as?
I had to lower my reading goal to actually enjoy r I had to lower my reading goal to actually enjoy reading again.

I went from skimming books just to hit a number, to actually loving the process again by setting the bar "stupid low."

​Turns out, when you stop trying to prove you read, you actually read more.

​Full breakdown of the strategy on Substack today. Link in bio! 

​#reading #books #mindset #Substack
I stopped trying to write for an imaginary audienc I stopped trying to write for an imaginary audience.

And my work finally started sounding like me.

Write for yourself first.

The audience comes later.

Read the full post on my Substack. Link in bio.
This arctic freeze was cold. I live in a studio ap This arctic freeze was cold. I live in a studio apartment, and my little heater did what it could.

I bought a few books, picturing myself warm and cozy with hot tea. That didn’t happen. I ended up writing.

I started watching a non-fiction writing course I bought, and one of the exercises sparked something. I thought, I want to post this somewhere.

I started on Instagram. I wrote about my time in New York back in 2019, practicing present tense. I did it a little too well, people thought I was there when I posted it.

Then I rewrote a longer version and realized it was too long. Too long for Threads. Already on Instagram. Not right for LinkedIn. I didn’t want to start a blog.

A friend suggested Substack. I couldn’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner. I started one two years ago and never used it. Now I finally have a place for my writing, my thoughts, and the things I’m interested in.

I went from planning to finish a book to starting a Substack.

If you’re curious about what I wrote while filming this, the link is in my bio.
This saturday (Jan/31st) grab your favorite book, This saturday (Jan/31st) grab your favorite book, get a warm cup of coffee (or matcha lol) and catch up on the book you've been working on.

We'll be reading from 10 to 11 and then from 11 to 12 we'll be mingling and joining @borderartistsociety in junk journaling!

We'll be at @alienbrew830 located at 486 Concho St

DM if you have any questions.

See y'all this Saturday!
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