How to Push Through a Tough Writing Day

You’re tired. Worn out. On the edge of burn out. You determined in your mind that you were going to write way more today but somehow the words won’t come. You’ve hardly written a good one hundred words. How did this happen?

You feel defeated. And everything inside of you wants to close the computer screen and do anything but this.

But wait! How are you going to meet your writing goal if you quit now? How will you ever finish this project if you give up when you feel tired day after day? Why won’t the words come out?

This is a frustrating experience, one I’ve dealt with many times. It isn’t pleasant. And more times then not, I end up reading a book, scrolling Instagram, or doing anything BUT writing. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.

Read on, dear friend.

How to Keep Pushing

No one wants to quit. But somehow, it’s always our fall back position. And, yes, giving up on your writing on days when you feel tired is just the same as quitting. You tell yourself you’ll get back to it the next day, right? But by giving into that procrastination, writers block, or whatever else you’re feeling today, you’re giving into defeat. And around here, defeat is not an option.

Now, don’t get me wrong! If you’re truly feeling exhausted then maybe what you need is a break. Breaks are just as beneficial for writers as writing itself, so don’t feel bad about taking them. But, most of the time, I think we think we’re tired when, really, we’re just having self-doubts.

Think about it. You sat down to write and you were writing strong for a solid five minutes when… you stopped. Why? Why did you stop? Sometimes it’s easy to see and sometimes it’s not, so let me just point it out for you.

You were having self-doubt.

Suddenly, you saw a million ways flash through your brain on how you could’ve worded that last sentence differently. Which way sounds better? Or maybe you’re thinking about what’s going to happen next and you don’t feel up to the task of writing the scene. You want to, but you don’t want to. You want to, but you don’t feel worthy. You want to, but you don’t feel you can.

That’s when the exhaustion hits. Because after that ball of self-doubt bounces back and forth, back and forth in your brain for so long all you want to do is quit. (Or go back to bed, that’s what I usually want to do.)

But what if you didn’t let that self-doubt control you? I know, I know. It’s easier said than done. But what if you just wrote that next sentence? All it is is a string of words put together in a coherent way of thinking. It’s not difficult. Not if you don’t over think it.

Write one sentence. And then the next. And then the next, and the next, and the—woah! When did that happen? Suddenly we have a whole paragraph! See how easy that happened? Simply push Mr. Self-Doubt out the window and enjoy your writing once again. That’s all there is to it.

However, if it’s not as easy as that for you and you’re needing an extra boost, I have another suggestion for you. (Stick with me here because you might think me crazy.) Using comic sans font when writing will help you break out of your doubts and get into the head space you’re wanting to be in. It’ll free your mind so that you can write the words needing written. It’ll help you push past the self-doubt you’ve sunk into and can’t get out of.

I’m not joking. Look it up if you don’t believe me. Google himself says, “Writing in comic sans is easier on your brain, through breaking down the words and making your writing feel fitter, which allows for more productive work to be produced.” Something about how funny it looks breaks down all of our mental barriers and helps us to find the words we were trying to say all along. Try it yourself next time you’re having a difficult writing day. See what happens.

Peer Pressure: A Deadly Trap

Sometimes, though, it’s not self-doubt that’s our biggest issue. It’s peer pressure. Tell me, have you ever stalked other writer’s social media and seen how great they’re doing, how productive they are, and how they never seem to ever have a bad writing day? This, in turn, inspires you to want to have the same success. That can be a good thing if it’s motivational, but it can become bad when you let that pressure you into feeling you need to be more.

Too often writers believe the lie that they need to write more. Need to be more productive. Need to be better. Some even see how many books some authors can write in a year and feel they should be doing the same.

If you’ve been on my blog for any length of time then you know what I’m going to say next. It doesn’t matter what others do, it matters what is right for you.

Every person is different, therefore every writer is different. No two people are going to be the same. Some writers can be similar and enjoy similar methods, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to have everything in common. For example, just because one author enjoys writing every day does not mean that is right for you.

So, while I myself enjoy watching other writers grow and learn in their craft through social media, I don’t let myself compare myself to them. Because the comparison game is a trap that no one should fall into. With all the other doubts we have as writers, that is not one we need to add on to the list.

Conclusion

I hope today’s article offered some valuable information that you will find helpful when you’re struggling to push through a tough writing day. Something I didn’t mention but can also be beneficial in this area is having a good chat with a friend or family member. Who is your biggest cheerleader with your writing? Go to them, tell them the struggles and doubts you’re having, and let them encourage and help you through.

And, above all, go to God with your doubts and fears. He is the best comfort in our times of struggle. Pray over your writing and ask Him to direct you each and every day as you write. That alone can make a world of difference in giving you peace and guidance in the steps ahead.

Your turn!

How do you push through a tough writing day? Have you ever tried using comic sans font? Do you fall into the trap of peer pressure, self-doubt, and comparison?

Blessings, Allyson

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