How Writers Keep Going When Doubt Creeps In

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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.

See price + more photos on Amazon

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.

See price + more photos on Amazon

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.

See price + more photos on Amazon

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