Instead:
- You might feel relief
- You might feel oddly empty
- You might immediately see flaws
- You might feel proud… quietly
And then, slowly—
You realize:
You’re still a writer.
And you get to choose what comes next.
The Real Power of Finishing
Finishing isn’t about perfection.
It’s about:
- Building trust with yourself
- Proving you can follow through
- Learning what your stories actually look like when they’re complete
Every finished story teaches you something that an unfinished one never can.
How to Gently Move Through the Fear
If you feel resistance near the end, try this:
✦ Change the Definition of “Done”
“Done” doesn’t mean perfect.
It means: This version is complete.
✦ Give Yourself a Soft Landing
Instead of asking, “What do I do with this?”
Try asking: “What do I need after finishing this?”
Rest counts. Reflection counts.
✦ Let It Be Imperfect on Purpose
Finish it knowing:
- You’ll grow
- Your next story will be stronger
- This one doesn’t have to carry everything
✦ Create a Small Finishing Ritual
Mark the moment.
It can be simple:
- Save the final draft and rename the file
- Write “I finished this” at the top
- Sit with it for a few minutes
Let it matter.
Writing Prompts: Exploring the Fear of Finishing
Use these to gently explore what’s coming up for you:
- Write a scene where a character reaches the end of a long journey—but hesitates before stepping forward. Why?
- Describe what your story would say to you if it knew you were afraid to finish it.
- Write about what “done” feels like in your body—not your mind.
- Create a character who never finishes anything. What are they protecting themselves from?
- Imagine finishing your story and putting it somewhere safe. What does that place look like?
A Final Thought
You’re not afraid of finishing because you’re failing.
You’re afraid because finishing means:
- Being seen (even by yourself)
- Letting go of what could be
- Stepping into what is
And that takes courage.
So if you’re close to the end of your story…
Stay with it.
Not because it has to be perfect—
but because you deserve to see what you’re capable of finishing.
Happy Writing ^_^
Sara's Writing Sanctuary 