A year or so ago, my MFA students were constantly talking about a reality dating show called Love Is Blind. Couples “dated” in pods, separated by a wall and unable to see each other unless they eventually agree to be engaged. If you’ve ever watched the show, you know the thrill of not knowing—of trusting that something stirring behind a wall (or in the next paragraph) is worth chasing. Writing essays, much like appearing on a reality dating show where you can’t see your potential soulmate, requires a leap of faith, a dash of curiosity, and a willingness to be surprised. So, let’s pull back the curtain (but not all the way) and see why essay writing is best approached with a hint of blindness—and a whole lot of trust.

The Joy of Not Knowing: Essay Writing’s Secret Sauce

Let’s be honest: starting an essay with a perfect roadmap sounds practical, but it’s also a little boring. What if, instead, you let yourself wander into the unknown? Just as the contestants on Love Is Blind have no idea who’s waiting for them on the other side of the pod, the best essays begin with uncertainty. Not knowing where your essay is heading isn’t a weakness—it’s an adventure. Sometimes, the subject grabs you for reasons you can’t quite name. That’s fine. Let the writing reveal what matters; the journey is where the good stuff hides.

Curiosity as a Starting Point: Questions, Not Answers

Essays, at their heart, are driven by questions—sometimes deeply personal, sometimes wildly societal, sometimes just plain weird. You don’t need to know the answer before you begin; you just need to be curious. The best questions are the ones that nag, perplex, and refuse to let go. And, like the show’s couples who build a connection without seeing each other, essayists start with a feeling, a hunch, or a tickle of wonder. Where it leads, nobody knows—and that’s the point.

Writing What You Don’t Know: The Essayist’s Motto

We often tell fiction writers to write what they know. That makes sense if you’re inventing plots and characters. But for essayists? Flip it. Write what you don’t know. Dive into the fog of your own ignorance and embrace the not-yet-understood. Essays thrive on uncertainty, on wrestling with questions that aren’t easily answered. The process may deepen your confusion, raise new possibilities, or even shift your initial question entirely. Certainty is overrated; curiosity is king.

Trusting the Process: Love Is Blind, and So Is Writing

Just as contestants on Love Is Blind must trust they’re building something real without seeing their partner, essayists must trust the writing process. You don’t know what’s waiting for you at the end—the conclusion might surprise you, frustrate you, or make you laugh out loud at your own detours. You begin with a feeling, a question, a tantalizing fragment. The rest unfolds, often unpredictably. The magic comes when you let go and write anyway, trusting that something worthwhile will emerge—maybe not the answer you expected, but something richer and more revealing.

Conclusion: Embracing Uncertainty and Deepening Questions

So, the next time you stare at a blank page, remember: being ‘blind’ is part of the thrill. Essays, like reality TV romances, aren’t about knowing all the answers up front. They’re about curiosity, trust, and the willingness to be surprised. Let your writing deepen your questions and spark new ones. Who knows? You might just fall in love—with a new idea, a fresh perspective, or the beautiful mess of essay writing itself.