What’s Stopping You From Writing?

You think about writing sometimes. Maybe you even daydream about it—mornings at a desk by the ocean, notebooks filled with stories and essays, maybe even writing a book someday. And yet... there are journals with a few pages of writing at the beginning. Or a file that never gets opened. Or you’re composing in your head but not actually writing.

You’re not alone. Sometimes, even if things are inspiring us, there are other things keeping us from acting on that inspiration.

There's often something invisible—or at least tricky—that keeps us from putting words on the page (or whatever medium you use), whether you're trying to get started in the first place or trying to get started again.

Let’s listen to some of the usual suspects.

1. It’s just not the right time yet.

You might be waiting for a magic moment when you’re not so busy, the house is clean, you’re well-rested, and the stars are aligned.

I hate to break it to you, but that moment never comes. The good news is that writing doesn’t need perfect conditions—it just needs you to be present with a willingness to begin where you are.

(Also: some of the best writing happens in stolen minutes.)

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2. I don’t really have anything to say.

You know that voice—the one that says, “This is dumb. Who do you think you are? This has already been written before. What if you try and you can’t actually write anything good? You don’t really have anything to say.”

That voice has good intentions: it’s trying to protect you from embarrassment or failure, but instead it’s actually keeping you from joy and creative freedom. If you ever needed it before, you definitely don’t need it now.

Every writer has an inner critic. The trick is to realize when that critic is speaking, and then not let it stop you. You can notice when it’s happening, thank it for its concern, and then kindly invite it to leave the building.

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3. But what If someone sees what I write?

Of course we want an audience to read what we’ve written, but… maybe not! Writing is personal—even when it’s fiction, even when it’s lighthearted. There’s vulnerability in putting yourself on the page. What will people think? Will they misunderstand me? Will they judge me?

Yes, writing asks something of you. It asks you to be brave. But…you don’t have to share it all at once. You can write just for you. You can take your time. You get to decide when and how you let your words out into the world.

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4. Should I do this or should I do that?

You have ideas—maybe too many. Or maybe none that feel “good enough.” You wonder if you should write a memoir, a newsletter, a poem, a blog, a novel... should I start a substack?

It can lead to indecision, and to not doing any of them, or any of them well. Don’t let the gift of many ideas get in the way of taking responsibility and choosing something to start with.

One way to choose is to start small. A sentence. A list. A note to yourself. A description of something you saw today. The more you write, the clearer your voice and direction become. You don’t need a five-year plan to begin—you just need a beginning.

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5. That was another life. OR That was the ‘path not taken’.

Maybe you used to write. Maybe you even loved it. But life happened—kids, work, busyness—and now it feels like coming back to writing is too hard. Too far gone. Like maybe you missed your window.

You didn’t. Writing doesn’t hold a grudge. It waits patiently, like an old friend who’s always happy to hear from you, no matter how long it’s been.

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So... Now, What Is Stopping You?

Take a quiet moment to ask yourself—gently, curiously. You don’t need to guilt yourself into writing, just be honest about what you need. Maybe you need permission to start again. Maybe you need some structure. Maybe it’s someone to tell you that you do have something to say. Maybe you just need to write one sentence.

That’s what this space is for. To inspire, but also to be real. Your work doesn’t have to be perfect. We have lived with and through a lot of life already, and we have a lot to say.

So what’s one small thing you could write today?

Just start there.

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Upcoming Workshops:

Ready Set, Write! A No-Pressure Writing Workshop for Women • Monday, April 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
$85 Keller Street CoWork, Petaluma, CA

You keep saying you’ll write someday—but when? In just two hours, you’ll learn seven simple ways to beat writer’s block, do hands-on exercises to spark creativity, and find the motivation to finally get your words on the page. No pressure, just writing. Your story matters—let’s get it written. For more information or to register: karyhess.com/workshops