Three Ways to Push Through When You’re Struggling to Write
I refuse to give in to the idea of writer’s block because the reality is that I am probably overthinking a topic to write about. I am likely trying to come up with some “wow” factor topic to showcase to the world, only to realize that that is an awful way to go about my writing journey. In doing so, I would only create resentment towards my weekly publishing dates when the whole purpose of them is to encourage me to write. So I had to buckle down and create a system for myself to avoid that unwelcomed feeling of not knowing what to write about, and I wanted to share it on the off-chance you have ever felt the same.
1. Plan Your Writing
Plan the days that you want to publish, whether it is once or twice a week, plan them out, and hold yourself accountable to the deadlines. Next, plan out your writing topics for the month. These topics do not have to be scheduled in any specific order, but having a list of potential topics set beforehand will help publishing day run a bit more smoothly. And if you wanted to take that a further step — plan your writing out a day or two before you’re set to publish as it helps set a pathway for writing success.
2. Practice Writing Drafts
This step ties back into my first tip of planning your writing and may prove to be more useful when combined. If you have your topics and publish dates planned out, then I suggest writing some rough drafts first to ensure that these are topics you feel are worth writing about. The last thing you want to do is write something you end up hating simply because you did not give yourself enough time to see it through before publishing.
3. Allow Yourself Some Breaks
If you find yourself deep into your writing zone, then keep pushing forward. However, I have found from experience that sometimes taking a break is a positive choice, especially when ideas aren’t flowing as naturally as they would. Nine times out of ten, you will come back refreshed and ready to continue writing with more than you had before. Whether you're stepping away to grab some tea or taking a walk outside, choosing to take a quick break can sometimes be the fine line between being proud of your work or wishing you skipped your deadline altogether.
When you write, it should be because you are passionate about it. Don’t settle for mediocre topics or content that you do not care for. Give yourself the time you need to create the wonderful work that you know you are capable of and remember that the time spent is always worth it in the end. Some days we will be able to produce a piece of writing in one sitting, and other days we will need to stretch it out over more than one and that is just fine. So take your time and enjoy your writing process because that is when you will create the work you are proud of.
