Why You’re Struggling with Your Writing and How to Overcome it like a Pro

There’s no greater pleasure than sitting at the computer and having your story flow out of your fingers with ease. 

But if we’re being honest, that’s often the exception, not the rule.  

Most days, we’re doing our best to get by and overcome the latest struggle in our way. 

Facing obstacles is part of the process of being a creative. It’s what we signed up for when we said, “Yes, I want to do this.”  

But now that we’ve signed up for this deal, how do we overcome the challenges that often hold us back? 

Below, I’ve listed ten reasons why you’re struggling with your writing and tips to face them like a pro. 

Maybe one of these issues will resonate with you, or it could be all of them. Either way, take comfort in knowing that with these tips, you’ll get through it all 

Now, let’s get started. 

Struggle #1: You Can’t Decide What to Work On 

 Indecision can manifest in many ways.  

It can appear when you have multiple options to choose from or when your mind is completely blank, and you don’t know how to get started. 

When it feels like there are too many choices to choose from, we typically freeze.  

Inaction is a creativity killer. 

How do we get past this?  

First, try going with the idea that’s the most fully developed. It doesn’t have to be completely formed, but at least there’s enough there to get you started.  

If you have multiple ideas at the same stage, try making the decision randomly, or getting a friend’s help to decide. You can use a random number generator and assign numbers to the ideas to see which one is chosen.  

Or you can pitch your ideas to a friend or your partner and see which resonates with them.  

What’s important is that you don’t put too much pressure on yourself to choose the right idea. Whatever you decide to work on next, know that you can always change your mind at any point in the process. 

If you start working on one idea and it’s not going as planned, put it away for a few days and work on something else. 

Once time has passed, you can always revisit it and see if something new sparks for you. 

Struggle #2: You Overwhelm Yourself with the Final Result 

Picturing that final novel or short story can be a beautiful thing in our heads, but it’s also a quick way to make us feel depressed.  

This is because once you focus on the destination, you start to see how far you are from the outcome. It’s always great to know what your final goal is so you have a sense of direction, but when you sit down at your keyboard to write, it should be the furthest from your mind. 

So how do you stop thinking about it?  

By focusing on the process. 

Don’t think about the end goal unless you’re looking for motivation or something to give you a quick boost. When you’re buckling down to do the work, focus on what the actual steps are instead. 

Think of it like instructions. What do I need to do right now? And then, go from there. 

Break the big goal into small, manageable chunks and prioritize completing one or two of those steps each day.  

The progress might be small, but it will get you to the finish line eventually. Trust that all progress – no matter how small it is – is a step in the right direction. 

Struggle #3: Your Skillset isn’t High Enough 

We all have a pristine version of our idea in our minds.  

The problem is that our skillset is not at the level it needs to be to complete that image.  

When that happens, we start working on the project and get so frustrated with ourselves that we abandon it halfway. 

But that’s where the true problem lies. When you keep quitting projects midway, you never get the opportunity to learn the skills you need to push through them. 

There is immense value in finishing a project, even if it doesn’t come out quite as planned. 

If you often find yourself in this cycle, try analyzing past projects to see at what point you gave up. What patterns or obstacles do you notice? Use this information to identify your weaknesses and then search for resources that target that specific area. 

By taking a more targeted approach to your learning, you’ll reap more benefits. 

Another suggestion is to find a mentor or critique group that you can run your work by for feedback. Ask them for their thoughts.  

What do they think your strengths and weaknesses are? Where are the areas you can improve?  

Often, it’s nice to have an objective view of your work, so utilize your relationships when you can.  

Once you’ve received enough information to create a game plan, then all that’s left to do is practice.  

Set time on your calendar to work on these areas and keep repeating the process.  

When you come across a hard section in your story – don't walk away – push through until you figure it out. That’s the best way to improve. 

Struggle #4: You have Little Self-belief in Yourself 

This struggle is more common than you think because it has a crafty way of seeming invisible. You don’t realize it’s there until it’s too late and the damage is already done. 

A lack of trust in ourselves is a quick way to block our creative potential. We get in our heads with negative thoughts and beliefs, and it makes us think that we don’t have what it takes to get it done. 

Low self-belief can lead us to second-guessing our judgments. When we’re unsure of our ability to make choices and execute, we start to question the creative process as a whole.  

What if we’re just imposters, and soon, everyone will figure us out? What if we aren’t cut out to write? 

Thoughts like this clutter our minds and make us feel bad about our writing and our work. It holds us back from creating the stories that burn within us. 

The first step to addressing this issue is awareness. You can’t change your thoughts about yourself and your work if you don’t even know they’re happening.  

Once you become aware, you must ask yourself, “do I want to keep thinking this way?” This step is important because it reminds you that you have ownership and control over this process. 

Once you’ve decided to change the narrative, then you can find a better thought to replace the old one with and practice using it every day. For example, going from “I’m a terrible writer” to “I have the potential to be great” will have an enormous impact on your writing. 

Another way you can address this issue is by referring to your own past for proof that you can do the work.  

Look at what you’ve done before – are there any accomplishments or projects you’ve completed that you’re proud of? If so, here’s more proof that you’re not an imposter and are exactly where you need to be. 

If you still feel like you don’t have much history to pull from, then start anew by creating mini commitments to yourself. For instance, tell yourself you’ll write 50 words a day, and then make sure you do it. Repeat this over the next few days and watch how your trust in yourself grows. 

Increasing your self-belief is a slow process but one that has many rewards if you stick to it. 

Struggle #5: You’re Afraid to be Judged 

It’s scary putting yourself out there. 

Many of us get into writing because we love the idea of sharing our ideas with the world, but that comes with a downside. We have no control over how people receive our work. 

All we can do is create and release it into the universe and hope it’s well received. 

But the thought of doing that is terrifying. We never want to upset or offend anybody.  

Worse, we don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression about us either. 

If you’re looking for a way through this struggle, then learn to accept the truth that you can’t control another person’s feelings.  

Whether they like your story or not, it’s not your business. Don’t stress over something you can’t control.  

You only have one job – to create the best work you can in that moment, and let it go. 

I know it’s tempting to read the reviews and comments to see how your work is doing, but it can also be an endless spiral. It’s best if you don’t read the reviews at all – good or bad – if you can help it.  

Just focus on creating the next piece and release it once it’s ready. 

If you do find yourself wanting feedback after you’ve completed a project, then seek out a trusted friend or someone whose opinion you respect.  

Just because a random person on the internet gives you their opinion doesn’t mean you have to take it. 

Take what you want and leave what you don’t. At the end of the day, people are entitled to their opinions and so are you. 

Struggle #6: You Need It to be Perfect 

Remember that pristine vision I mentioned earlier? Well, guess what? It’s back again.  

Although, this time, you started to put it onto the page, and no matter what you do it...  

It’s just. Not. Enough.  

Many of us have faced this struggle before. Maybe you’re the type to edit while you write, or you’re an extreme planner who needs to know every single detail before you begin. 

If you’re the latter, there’s a good chance that you never begin because the planning is never done. There’s always more you can do, or more you can change.  

The canvas is always wet. 

But an important part of being a successful writer is not just the writing itself, it’s the finishing. You must be able to deliver a story to your readers.  

However, if you’re caught up in the chase to make it perfect, then there’s a good chance that the story the world needs to hear will never see the light of day. 

If this is your struggle right now, try to reframe your mindset. Don’t focus on perfection, focus on progress. Set a deadline or timer for yourself and keep working until it is done.  

Once the timer goes off or the day arrives, put your final touches on it and call it complete.  

Maybe it didn’t turn out as perfect as you wanted, but hey, that’s okay. At least you can say it’s done. Use this finished product to learn how you can make the next one better and apply those lessons. 

On a related note, the worst place to let your perfectionism creep in is when you’re writing your first draft. (I’m guilty of this myself).  

You scrutinize every word and edit sentences as you go along, making it take hours before you get to the bottom of the page. Working this way can lead to burnout, or to not completing the work at all. 

When you write your first draft, give yourself permission to make it as terrible as it needs to be to get it done.  

In this early stage, the first draft's purpose is to exist, not to be perfect from the first phrase. Give yourself the freedom to explore, experiment, and make terrible work. Then, improve it in the next draft. 

Don’t think, just write. Then, see what happens. 

Struggle #7: You’re Overthinking It 

When it comes to our work, we tend to overcomplicate what should be simple.  

We’re always searching for ways to boost our workflow to optimize it, but ultimately, we overload it with unnecessary steps. 

There’s magic in simplicity.  

The answer to our problems isn’t always to add more steps, sometimes it’s to reduce them. 

If you’re someone who’s always adding new tools and levels to your process, then ask yourself if it’s improving the work. Are you getting the result you want, or is the new step just a placebo to make you feel like you’re getting work done? 

Write down the steps in your current writing process and see if there are any that you can simplify, combine, or eliminate.  

Remember, you want simplicity here, so aim for only the essentials. 

Once you’ve curated your process to something more manageable, try it out and see how it goes. It might take a few tweaks to find the sweet spot, but you will get there.  

Once you do, you’ll be amazed at how much lighter you feel after pairing your workflow down. 

Struggle #8: You Think You’re Not Ready 

Raise your hand if you’re a consumption junkie.  

*Proudly raises hand* 

Guess what? You’re in good company because this is my kryptonite. I was convinced that I wasn’t ready to start working on my stories until I knew everything there was to know about writing. 

If you’re wondering what a “consumption junkie” is, it’s a person who spends all their time consuming content about the work they should be doing.  

In my case, that was reading endless writing craft books, reading articles on story structure, listening to writing podcasts and watching YouTube videos of authors talking about their writing process. 

I did just about everything related to writing, except for writing itself.  

When we find ourselves in consumption mode, it’s a passive way of working. It’s also very deceptive. It makes us feel like we’re making progress when we’re not. 

It’s what I like to call “Fake” work. It gives the impression of being real, but in the end, it’s just an illusion.  

We rely on consumption when we’re too afraid to start. We tell ourselves it’s too soon to begin when the reality is that the best time to start was yesterday. 

So how do you get out of consumption-mode and into creation-mode? Try taking a just-in-time approach to learning. 

What this means is that you begin working on your story, and when you hit an obstacle, that’s when you look up what you need to know to move forward. 

For instance, if you notice that your characters are coming across as flat and passive, then you’d research ways to make them more dynamic and apply it in your current draft.  

If your story structure seems off or lagging, then you’d look up resources on plot structures to use and give them a go. 

The key here is that you’re looking for the information when you need it, and not before. 

Consume with a specific purpose in mind. What is it that you need to know right now so that you can continue working on your project?  

Also, try limiting yourself to 3-5 resources when you do your research. There’s such a thing as “too many mentors” and you don’t want to consume so many resources that you end up more confused than when you started. 

Jump in, get your feet wet, and search for help only when you need it. 

Struggle #9: You’re Afraid of Making a Mistake 

Starting a new writing project can be exciting and scary.  

As we’ve already established, it’s easy to get caught up in our heads and stress ourselves out with thinking. 

If we’re going into a new project, we want to make sure it’s good and that people will like it. However, what this does is create more pressure for us internally.  

We get so in our heads about what we plan to create that we become afraid of making a mistake. 

What if the idea is wrong? What if I'm not executing it in the right way?  

It can feel like the world is pressing down on our shoulders, and we need to make sure we don’t mess this up, or everyone will come after us for being imperfect. 

The truth is we all must take this terrifying leap at some point. We can’t stay in our comfort zones forever just because it feels safe. We have to learn how to trust our instincts and adapt when things don’t go as planned. 

If the fear of getting things wrong scares you, try writing down all your fears and doubts you’re having. List them in one column, and beside it, list the counterargument for each claim.  

For instance, if you’re afraid that “you don’t know what you’re doing” then next to it, you might write “I believe in my ability to figure it out.” 

Take your time getting all your doubts and fears outside of your head and onto the page. 

Once this brain dump is complete, it’s time to focus back on the work. Look at the steps you laid out before when you broke the project down. What’s the next action you can take at this moment?  

Do it as soon as you can, and repeat it again, and again. And make sure to reward yourself with a pat on the back or a nice treat when you do.  

You’ve earned it for showing up for yourself and proving your fears and doubts wrong. 

Don’t let these negative feelings hold you back from achieving great success, instead let them propel you forward to the growth you need. 

Struggle #10: You’re Not Committed 

This one might sting a little -- I know it did for me.  

It was a hard pill to swallow once I realized that for most of my writing journey, I wasn’t as committed as I claimed to be. 

I was under the impression that if I set a goal toward something, it automatically meant that I was committed to it, but goal setting was only the first step. 

Truly committing to a goal means you will follow through no matter what.  

That was the missing piece in the equation, and why I often failed in achieving the writing goals I set for myself. 

I was lenient in my responsibilities to myself, and I didn’t have the sense of urgency I needed to fulfill my promises. 

It’s not enough to say you want to achieve something, you must also be fully committed to the journey and your ability to get that result.  

You have to be willing to show up – hell or high water – ready to do what needs to be done. 

Once I realized I wasn’t allowing myself to be fully all-in, I decided to change my ways. The first thing I did was make a clear commitment to myself about what I was going to do, by when.  

When you set a commitment for yourself, understand that it is non-negotiable.  

If you don’t think you can fully commit – then don’t. Be honest with yourself.  

If committing to finishing your novel in six months is too steep, start small by commiting to writing a short story every month.  

There’s nothing wrong with starting small and building your way up to the big result that you want.  

When I wanted to form a daily writing habit, I didn’t commit myself to an hour a day because I knew I wouldn’t be able to sustain it with my schedule. Instead, I committed to 50 words a day because I knew even on my worst days, I could still get it done no matter what. 

The best part about this way of thinking is that each time you show up for yourself you grow more confident in your ability. Also, your trust in yourself increases. Your words start to hold credibility.  

When you become someone who’s disciplined in one area of your life, it tends to trickle out to others. 

So don’t let yourself off easy with excuses just because you’re not in the mood or don’t think you can do it.  

Learn how to hold yourself accountable and set smaller goals that reinforce the writer you want to be. 

Final Thoughts 

In the end, we all struggle. It’s the deal we signed up for when we decided to pursue a living in a creative field. Even if writing is just a hobby for you, you’ll still have days when these obstacles appear. When they do, remember what you read today. 

Use these tips to help you overcome obstacles and start creating the best stories you can. Remember, this is a writing journey, so it’s inevitable that obstacles will be on the path. 

When you come across them, don’t panic.  

Instead, identify which problems you’re facing and use what you’ve learned to navigate around them. In time, you’ll be exactly where you need to be, and you’ll be a better person for it. 

Happy Writing! 

P.S. What other obstacles have you noticed that are holding you back? What’s helped you overcome them in your creative practice? 

Share your answers in the comments below!