What to Do When May Didn’t Go as Planned (for Writers)

Encouragement and a Fresh Start for Creative Souls

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May was supposed to be your month.

Maybe you had a plan—new stories to start, revisions to finish, a creative routine you promised yourself you’d stick to. But here you are at the end of the month, wondering where the time went and why your writing goals feel just out of reach. If that sounds familiar, take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and you’re not behind. You’re simply human—and creative energy doesn’t always follow a calendar.

So let’s talk about what to do now—when May didn’t go as planned.

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1. Release the Guilt

Before you try to “fix” anything, pause and let go of any shame, guilt, or frustration you’re carrying. Life happens. Energy dips. Plans shift. Some months are filled with distractions or unexpected detours. That doesn’t mean you failed—it just means you’re living.

Give yourself credit for wanting to write, even when you couldn’t.

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2. Reflect with Kindness

Take a few moments to look back—not with a critical eye, but with compassion.

Ask yourself:

• What did I do this month that supported me creatively (even in small ways)?
• What got in the way—and was it within my control?
• What surprised me or taught me something new?

Even a single journal entry, a vivid dream, a story idea scribbled in the middle of the night—those are seeds that still count.

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3. Reclaim Your Momentum with One Gentle Step

Instead of jumping into a massive writing sprint or committing to a new goal immediately, take just one doable step:

• Reread something you wrote that you still love
• Freewrite for 10 minutes without pressure
• Organize your current works-in-progress folder
• Make a list of story sparks or characters calling to you

Tiny steps help you rebuild trust with your creativity—without overwhelming your system.

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4. Create a Fresh Start Ritual

Sometimes what we need is a symbolic “reset.” Try one of these:

• Light a candle or incense before a short writing session
• Clean your writing space (even if it’s just clearing the clutter)
• Write a short note to yourself: “Dear Writer, I’m proud of you for coming back.”
• Set a soft theme for June—like explore, breathe, or reignite

These small acts can make your creativity feel welcomed again.

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5. Make June About Curiosity, Not Perfection

Let June be your month of curious creating. No pressure. No guilt. Just exploration.

Ask:

• What lights me up right now?
• What character or idea won’t leave me alone?
• What if I gave myself 15 minutes a day, just to play?

You’re allowed to write messy, unfinished, or “pointless” things. Sometimes that’s exactly what leads to magic.

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Final Thought:

Your creative rhythm doesn’t have to match the world’s pace. You are still a writer—even if you didn’t write much (or at all) this month. You are still allowed to begin again.

So here’s your permission slip:
✨ Start fresh. Start small. But most importantly, just start.
We’re turning the page together.

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What’s one thing you’re letting go of from May—and one thing you’re looking forward to in June? Share it in the comments. Let’s reset together. 💬🖊️

Happy Writing ^_^