Lately, life has felt like one big whirlwind of change. Between moving, managing my chronic pain, juggling work, and finishing my degree, writing—something that once felt like second nature—has become a struggle. My creativity feels buried under the weight of exhaustion, and some days, it’s hard to even find the energy to open my laptop, let alone pour my thoughts onto the page.
I used to believe that writing was my escape, a safe space where I could retreat from the chaos of the world. But what happens when the very thing that brings you comfort starts to feel like another task on an ever-growing to-do list? When pain makes it hard to sit at a desk, when mental fog makes words slip through my fingers, when anxiety whispers that I’m falling behind—how do I find inspiration?
Giving Myself Permission to Pause
I’ve had to remind myself that creativity isn’t something I can force. Writing, like healing, requires patience. Some days, my body demands rest, and instead of fighting against it, I’m learning to listen. I give myself permission to take breaks without guilt. Writing isn’t about churning out words on demand—it’s about honoring the process, even if that process means stepping away for a while. But it is hard sometimes..
Finding Inspiration in Small Moments
When I can’t sit down to write long pieces, I turn to smaller creative outlets. A few scribbled lines in a journal, voice notes on my phone when ideas strike, or even rereading old works remind me that my creativity is still alive. Sometimes, inspiration isn’t about grand ideas—it’s in the quiet moments, in the way the sunlight filters through my window, in the snippets of dialogue I overhear at a coffee shop, in the way my body carries me forward despite everything.
Writing Through the Hard Days
There are days when I feel overwhelmed by everything I have to do—assignments, deadlines, work, doctor’s appointments. On those days, I remind myself that writing doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to be good. It just has to be honest. Even if all I write is, “Today was hard,” that’s still something. My words don’t have to carry the weight of the world; sometimes, they just need to exist.
The Power of Community
One thing that has helped me immensely is leaning on others who understand. Connecting with other writers, students, and people who deal with chronic illness reminds me that I’m not alone. I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help, to talk about my struggles, to share my frustrations. Creativity doesn’t have to be a solitary journey—it thrives in connection.
Redefining Success
I used to think that being a “successful” writer meant producing a certain number of words every day. But life doesn’t always allow for that. Success, for me, is showing up when I can, giving myself grace when I can’t, and recognizing that my worth as a writer isn’t measured by productivity.
Embracing the Journey
This season of life is challenging, but it’s also shaping me. My experiences—both the painful and the beautiful—are all part of my story, and someday, they’ll find their way into my writing. Until then, I’ll keep showing up, in whatever way I can, knowing that every word, every pause, every struggle is part of the process.
If you’re struggling to write through change, pain, or self-doubt, know that you’re not alone. Be gentle with yourself. Your creativity will always be there, waiting for you, even on the hardest days.
How do you find inspiration when life feels overwhelming? Let’s start a conversation.
Where do you find your inspiration during hard times?
Happy Writing ^_^
Sara's Writing Sanctuary 