Feeling Like a Bad Writer? Here’s How to Fix It
What if the problem isn’t your writing, but how you’re thinking about it?
It feels like the moment we take our foot off the gas, everything falls apart.
Like missing the gym for a couple of weeks and suddenly feeling weaker, softer, slower.
Writing is no different.
I recently took a month-long break from writing — slowly draining my backlog just to have something to post. Before that, I’d gone two months full speed, pushing myself hard, and burning out even harder.
I thought stepping away, combined with a shift in my approach to work, pleasure, and life itself, would leave me refreshed and inspired.
It didn’t.
Coming back has felt like a reset — not a refresh.
What I hoped would be a surge of creativity instead felt intimidating — like standing at the base of a mountain, knowing I have to climb it before I can produce anything worthwhile again.
And this experience? It’s not unique.
Momentum is hard-earned and easily lost.
Once we fall off, getting back into rhythm feels like an uphill battle.
I’m not fully back yet, but here’s what I’m doing to get there.
1. Starting Small
Looking at past work can be inspiring — but it can also be paralyzing.
Staring at a blank document, picturing a polished, finished product?
That’s a surefire way to freeze up.
So instead of forcing out a masterpiece, I’ve been writing short, ‘meaningless’ pieces just to get moving again.
These aren’t for sharing. They’re just raw thoughts, personal reflections, and random ideas.
But they’ve been incredibly effective in rebuilding momentum.
2. Free-Writing Practices
If you haven’t tried it, free-writing is one of the best ways to break through creative resistance.
The process is simple:
- Set a timer (10–30 minutes).
- Write. No interruptions. No judgment. No overthinking.
Most people get stuck because they edit while they write.
But writing doesn’t work that way.
Drafting and editing are two completely different skills — they require two completely different mindsets.
Free-writing forces you to shut off the perfectionism and just get words on the page.
3. Revisiting Old Ideas
If you don’t already keep a running list of article ideas, start now.
I personally aim to write five new ideas a day — just enough to keep the creativity flowing without forcing it.
Coming back after a break, my mindset had shifted.
Revisiting old ideas didn’t just spark creativity — it forced me to challenge my own past perspectives.
That alone led to deeper, more refined takes — ones I might not have explored otherwise.
The Hard Truth About Momentum
There’s no hack for getting back into rhythm.
No shortcut.
No magic formula.
The only way forward is to do the thing — in this case, write.
Write every day.
Even if it’s rough.
Even if it’s short.
Even if it feels forced.
Because momentum doesn’t come from thinking about writing.
It comes from actually doing it.
