How I Stay Motivated to Write (Even When It’s Hard)

Writing brings me so much joy, but man, it’s also tough at times. There are days when the words come pouring out like water from a fountain. Then there are other days, sometimes even weeks, when it feels like I’m dragging my feet through thick mud just to get a sentence out.

I've found that staying motivated isn't about waiting for that big spark of inspiration. Instead, it’s about pushing through and finding ways to keep going, especially when it feels like a real struggle. So here’s what I do to stay in the game, even on those days when I'd much rather be doing something else.

1. I remind myself why I started in the first place.

When I hit a wall or start feeling super frustrated, I take a moment to think back to what made me fall in love with writing. For me, it all began with scribbling stories on my dad's whiteboard and crafting little worlds in the margins of my notebooks. It wasn’t ever about getting it perfect or even getting published; it was about having fun, exploring my thoughts, and expressing myself.

Remembering that initial joy helps me switch my mindset. Writing doesn’t have to be perfect right away. It just needs to be mine, and that’s good enough for me.

2. I break it down into bite-sized bits.

Thinking “I need to write an entire novel” is just too much to handle. Instead, I tell myself, “I’m going to write for 20 minutes today” or “I’ll tackle just this one scene.” That feels so much more doable. When I'm low on motivation, I chop everything down into the smallest steps possible.

Sometimes that looks like writing just one paragraph or even just opening my document to read over what I wrote yesterday. Progress doesn’t always have to be a giant leap; even getting a single word down on the page is better than nothing.

3. I let myself write junk.

Perfectionism can really kill your motivation. If I think every sentence has to be amazing right off the bat, I freeze up before I even start. So, I remind myself that the first draft is meant to be a bit of a mess. That’s how it goes!

When I drop the need to be “perfect,” I find I write much more freely. I know I can always go back and fix things later, but I can’t do a thing with a blank page. Even if the writing isn’t great, it’s still moving me forward, and most of the time, it leads to something much better down the road.

4. I make writing feel special with little rituals.

Motivation doesn’t always show up on its own, so I try to create a little atmosphere that welcomes it in. This might mean lighting a candle, making a cozy cup of tea, or cranking up a playlist I've curated just for writing sessions.

These habits don’t magically make the writing easier, but they signal to my brain that it's time to buckle down and focus. Over time, they’ve become a comforting routine that I can lean on, even when I’m not feeling great.

5. I take a moment to celebrate the little victories.

Writing can be hard work, so I think it's super important to give myself a pat on the back for every little step I take. Did I manage to finish a page today? Awesome. Did I finally solve that pesky plot hole? Big win! Even if all I did was open my document when I really didn’t want to, I give myself a little mental high-five for that.

Celebrating these small victories helps me keep that momentum going. It reminds me that I am making progress, even if it’s slower than I’d like.

6. I reach out to fellow writers.

Writing can feel really lonely at times, but it doesn’t have to be. Chatting with other writers—whether it’s in-person, online or in writing groups—helps me feel less isolated. We get to share our challenges, cheer for each other’s victories, and remind ourselves that we’re not alone in this.

Sometimes, just hearing someone else say, “Yeah, I totally know what you mean,” can reignite my drive to keep going.

Writing Through the Tough Times

Staying motivated to write isn't about trying to feel inspired all the time. It's all about commitment. It’s about showing up for your words, even when they feel messy or unclear. Some days, writing feels like pure magic, while other days, it’s straight-up hard work. But every time I sit down to write anyway, I'm building something real. I’m not just improving my writing skills; I’m also getting closer to my relationship with writing itself.

If you've been struggling to stay motivated, trust me, you're not alone. What matters is that you keep coming back to it. Just keep showing up. The words will be waiting for you.