Squashing the "Not in the Mood" Myth & Writing When You Don’t Feel Like It

If you only write when you feel like it, you’ll never finish anything.

Waiting for motivation is a trap. Professional writers know this: discipline beats inspiration every time. If you want to build a sustainable writing practice, you need to learn how to show up even when you’re tired, distracted, or just not in the mood.

Here are a few tricks you can try to break free from the “I don’t feel like it” excuse and write anyway:

1. Lower the Bar (At First)

You don’t need to write a masterpiece—you just need to start.

📌 Try this: Commit to writing one sentence. That’s it. Nine times out of ten, that sentence turns into more. Getting started is the hardest part, so trick yourself into it.

2. Set a Timer and Sprint

Most of the time, the problem isn’t writing—it’s starting. A short, timed session removes the pressure to be “good” and focuses on just getting words down.

📌 Try this: Set a 10-minute timer and write anything. No pressure, no editing, just words. You can stop when the timer goes off—but chances are, you won’t want to.

3. Change Your Scenery

A stale environment can kill creativity. A small change—moving to a different room, writing outside, or even just shifting your chair—can reset your brain.

📌 Try this: Take your notebook or laptop somewhere new, even if it’s just a different spot in your house. A fresh setting can spark fresh ideas.

4. Write the Worst Version First

Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Give yourself permission to write terribly—because a bad draft is still better than no draft.

📌 Try this: Set a goal to write the “worst” version of your piece. No editing, no second-guessing. Just messy words on the page. You can clean them up later.

5. Use a Bribe

Sometimes, a little external motivation helps. Reward yourself for showing up.

📌 Try this: Promise yourself a small treat—your favorite coffee, a chapter of a book, a walk—after you write for 15 minutes. Make the reward immediate so your brain associates writing with something positive.

🔒 Full subscribers: Let’s talk about why this works and how to build an unshakable writing habit.