How to Write When You Don’t Feel Like Writing

If you’re having a hard time getting inspired to write, you shouldn’t just give in and give up. No. You should fight the urge to ditch your writing and overcome the “I don’t feel like it blues.” But how do you do that exactly? It takes some practice, but you can find ways to get over those feelings and start writing when and where you want to.

Do a Quick Check 

Before we drill down on you, we don’t want to eliminate the fact that something could be wrong. Our bodies often give us signs and symptoms that we should watch out for and take care of. For instance, if you’re coming down with a cold, you’re likely to have a fever, a headache, and maybe a lack of energy. This is not a time to kick yourself; you’d better care for yourself and get back to normal. So, do a quick check, looking for: 

Sleep 

The average human should get about 8 hours of sleep per night. While some can get less and remain productive, you should make sure you’re getting enough. With a chronic lack of sleep, you can start feeling sluggish and experience brain fog, both of which are not good for getting in the mood to write. 

Nutrition

The better we eat, the better we function. Keeping our body full of vitamins and nutrients helps the brain and other vital organs function at optimal levels. Thus, make sure you’re filling your plate with healthy foods and not skipping meals or snacks. An empty stomach wreaks havoc on your thoughts and keeps you from focusing. 

Overall Feeling 

Lastly, take a moment to observe how you feel. Sometimes, we just don’t feel well, which can put a damper on our writing plans. So, before being too hard on yourself, check to see how you feel and if you need a day off to rest up, then take it. 

So, now that we’ve been gentle, it’s time to hammer down on those who just don’t feel like it. We promise to be nice but have a few things to say to help you change your mindset. 

1. Make a Plan

Plans keep you organized and on track. Thus, it’s no wonder that they help you reach your goals when your motivation starts to wear thin. Motivation is not something that we have all of the time and, when we lose it, that doesn’t mean we have to stop. So, make plans, stick to them, write them down, and check them off as you go. Start by making a plan for your project and breaking it down into small and achievable goals. For example, if you want to write a book, the first thing you should do is sit down and plan it out. Then, do everything in your power to stick to those goals, noticing your progress as you make your way through the list. 

2. Just Start Writing 

Just starting to write, putting everything else aside, and letting words flow from your thoughts to the paper. Sometimes, we get caught up thinking about other things and wind up wasting valuable time. Instead, sit down, clear distractions, and start writing, watching as your mood changes with every word.  

One trick I have used the past few months is to use ChatGPT to help start writing. As I make a living from writing, I don’t believe you should rely on it too much, as I normally write longer form content, it often doesn’t generate enough content anyway, and it is often obvious that it is AI written, not to mention the inaccuracies. But, it is great for providing you a starting point and some structure.

3. Make a Map 

If you’re a visual person, a mind map might come in handy. For example, if you’re brainstorming ideas about a topic, jot them down and see where your creativity takes you. In terms of looking for and finding information, making a mind map is a fun and effective way to do both. To make one, simply write your topic, your main ideas, and any facts on a piece of paper. Then, as you find out more, jot it down, too. After that, make connections and draw lines until you make a map that helps you better grasp your idea. The end goal is to fill your brain with enough information to start writing and get your assignments done. If you run short on time, experts at Help Me Do My Essay are there, but you can also do a lot to get motivated and write when you need to. 

4. Set a Timer

Use the Pomodoro Technique: set a timer for 25 minutes, write for that time, then take a 5-minute break. Repeat.

5. Create a Ritual / Routine

Establish a consistent routine that signals to your brain it’s time to write. This could be making a cup of tea, playing specific background music, or lighting a candle.

I’d say that this only works well for people that need to write often. It won’t be as much use for the occasional assignment. I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 40s, but in my 30s, I found coping mechanisms to handle the problem. This was largely through establishing a routine. It makes me sound incredibly boring, but I stick to the same routing every day, I find I am most productive very early in the morning, so I get up at 4 am and start work immediately. I then go to the gym at 9 am. I am not recommending my routine to everyone, but it has helped me become reasonably successful, extremely fit, and healthy.

6. Set Goals / Break the Job Down into Smaller Task

Instead of a vague goal like “write more”, set specific targets such as “write 500 words” or “write for 30 minutes”.

Or, applying my ADHD coping mechanisms, break things down into smaller tasks. For writing, I will normally write all my headers first to give me structure. If I am struggling to write, I will aim at complete the easier tasks first, giving me a bit of a dopamine hit and applying the just start recommendation above.

7. Physical Movement

Sometimes, a quick walk, some stretches, or a brief workout can help clear your mind and get the creative juices flowing.

8. Set Aside Distractions

Turn off notifications, use apps like “Focus@Will” or “Forest” to maintain concentration, or even go old school and write with pen and paper.

9. Write at Your Best Time

Much like my routine recommendation, we are all different, and we perform best at different times of the day. Identify when you’re most alert during the day. For some, it’s early morning; for others, it might be late at night. I am thankful that I no longer need to work the 9 to 5 hours as my brain doesn’t seem to like to work during those hours.

10. Reward Yourself

Give yourself something to look forward to after your writing session, whether it’s a treat, a short break, or some other form of reward.

11. Acceptance

Understand that not every day will be a good writing day, and that’s okay. What’s important is to show up and try.

Remember Your ‘Why’ 

If you find that none of these helps, then it could help to do a bit of soul searching. For instance, think of the reason why you’re writing. Even if it’s just motivated by a homework assignment, you can still pump yourself up thinking about the great colleges you’ll get into and the career you’ll build. If you’re writing for pleasure, then it should be easy to have a personal pep talk, reminding yourself why you enjoy writing and the goal you hope to reach in doing it.  In the end, there are no excuses for not writing. Especially “not feeling like it,” which you should eliminate from your thoughts ASAP. 

[Origial Posted: April 12, 2021]

[Updated: August 21, 2023]

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.