How Writers Keep Going When Doubt Creeps In
Every writer struggles with doubt — but doubt doesn’t mean you’re failing. This empowering blog shares 5 ways to keep writing when your confidence dips, plus motivational quotes and cozy tools to ground your creative routine. From Joyvity™ — Writing that grows from the heart.
WRITING
Ana
5/26/20253 min read


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Dear Joyvity™ Friends,
Even the best writing days can be haunted by a whispering thought: Is this any good? Does this even matter?
Doubt is part of the writing life. It slips in through the cracks — in the quiet moments, in the messy middle of your manuscript, or when you compare yourself to other writers.
But here's the truth: Every writer doubts. The trick is learning how to write through it.
1. Remember, You're Not Alone
F. Scott Fitzgerald once said:
“All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.”
Even he — with his lyrical brilliance — felt the weight of effort and uncertainty.
McCourt, Lahiri, Angelou, Orwell... they all doubted. They just kept writing anyway.
Let their resilience remind you that self-doubt doesn’t mean you’re not a writer — it means you’re in it.
2. Don’t Wait to Feel Confident
Confidence often shows up after you’ve written — not before.
Sit down anyway. Write badly if you have to. There’s power in showing up when the voice in your head says you can’t. The more you prove it wrong, the quieter it becomes.
3. Keep a Folder of Words That Moved You
Save kind comments, passages you love, your favorite lines you’ve written. On the days you forget your own magic, reread them. Let your past self remind you of what you're capable of.
4. Keep a Ritual
Brew tea. Light a candle. Set a timer.
On low-confidence days, the ritual is your anchor. It tells your brain, I may not feel like a writer right now, but I am one.
Include your favorite comfort tools:
A ceramic mug that warms your hands and soothes your senses
A gently scented soy wax candle that turns your desk into a calm, intentional space
An hourglass timer to help you stay focused and present as time flows gently by
These aren't just objects. They're signals — that this is your time to write, no matter how you feel.
5. Let Their Words Carry You
Here are five quotes that have pulled me through — and might carry you too:
“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” — Stephen King
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” — Thomas Mann
“You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say.” — F. Scott Fitzgerald
“The best work that anybody ever writes is the work that is on the verge of embarrassing him.” — Arthur Miller
“I write to find out what I’m thinking.” — Joan Didion
These words remind us that writing isn't about waiting to feel ready. It’s about trusting the spark, even when it flickers.
Featured Tools for Your Writing Ritual
In case you would like some inspiration for some of the tools that could anchor you when you write, here are some of mine:
1. A Candle That Grounds You


Choose a scent that signals focus — sandalwood, lavender, or something personal that reminds you of warmth and stillness.
2. A Ceramic Mug That Feels Like Yours (Unisex)


There’s something grounding about holding the same mug every day — it becomes part of your creative identity.
3. An Hourglass That Binds Your Time


Flipping an hourglass at the start of your writing block turns time into something tangible — a visual ritual that signals focus, presence, and the gentle pressure of now.
Wherever You Are Today...
If you're writing through doubt — you're already doing the hardest part. Keep going.
May you find stillness, strength, and the quiet joy of knowing you’re not alone.
Ana
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