Stay Motivated When You’re Feeling Discouraged as a Writer

TL;DR:

• Feeling discouraged as a writer is part of the process, and it can be overcome.
• Set achievable goals and celebrate small wins on the daily or weekly.
• Reconnect with your purpose and seek support when you’re feeling unmotivated.

Freelance writing can feel incredibly rewarding, but it isn’t always easy. You deal with rejection, periods of slow client work, and even creative burnout. When you’re just not that into the work, it’s important to have tools and strategies to keep you going. Here are a few ways to stay on track even when you’re feeling unmotivated and discouraged.

Reconnect with Your “Why”

When discouragement sets in, it’s easy to forget why you became a freelance writer. Was it the freedom to work on your own terms? Do you love creative storytelling? Or do you enjoy sharing your knowledge with the world? Reconnect with your core purpose. Spend some time thinking about the bigger picture and why you decided to write.

When thinking about your “why,” create a one-sentence mission statement. Consider something as simple as, “I write to help support my family and deepen my craft.” Write it down! Keep your mission statement visible in your your work area. If you’re feeling creative, turn it into a decorative sign. Seeing your “why” each day can be a powerful motivator. Maybe your goal is to fund your dream lifestyle. Maybe you love helping businesses tell their stories. Whatever it is, remind yourself of your reason for writing.

Pro tip: Meditate on your mission statement any time you feel discouraged. Spend 10-minutes or so thinking about how good it feels to make an impact with your writing.

Break Projects into Bite-Sized Tasks

Sometimes feeling discouraged comes from feeling overwhelmed by too many tasks. Juggling multiple clients or projects can feel chaotic, and it’s easy to get mentally paralyzed. Instead of tackling everything at once, (or procrastinating and making bad feelings worse!) break your projects into smaller, manageable tasks. Make a list! Completing one task at a time builds a sense of accomplishment. After a few things are knocked off your list, you’ll start to feel mentally lighter.

For example, if your goal is to write a book, start with an outline. Or commit to writing 500 words. Write another 500 tomorrow, and build a streak. If you’re building a writing portfolio, finish one polished sample this week. Send one pitch today. Find one small thing you can do today to contribute to the larger project or goal. By focusing on incremental progress, you’ll feel less chaotic and more in control.

Pro tip: Use a tool like Trello or Asana to organize your projects into manageable tasks. Track your progress. As you check off tasks, you’ll boost your confidence and see that you’re making headway.

Celebrate All the Wins

As a freelance writer, there’s so much on your plate that it’s easy to overlook small wins. But celebrating your wins—no matter how small—can have a positive impact on your mindset. Did you send an article on time? Celebrate! Land a new client call? Woohoo! Draft a tricky pitch? Congratulate yourself. All these moments deserve a high-five.

Celebrating a win helps you associate your work with positive energy rather than stress. Acknowledging your progress keeps you motivated and creates a cycle of growth and achievement. Whether it’s treating yourself to coffee or taking a quick victory dance, celebrate your efforts regularly.

Pro tip: Keep a “success journal” by your desk where you jot down every win. From completed projects and new clients to any positive feedback you get. Review this notebook when you’re feeling discouraged! It’s a powerful reminder of your progress.

Seek Out Support

Freelancing writing can feel isolating, especially when things aren’t going well. We’re all connected in that reality. Connecting with other writers or creatives helps you gain encouragement and fresh ideas. It also creates a level of accountability to stay on track. Being part of a supportive community reminds you that others face similar challenges—and you can all overcome them.

Where can you find a community? Online forums, writing groups, and even coworking spaces are great places to connect. Contribute your knowledge and share your struggles or seek advice. Many freelancers are more than happy to share helpful tips and discuss how to stay motivated.

Pro tip: If you don’t want to join a group, browse through writing forums. Read how others have dealt with professional disappointment. Just try not to get bogged down in unhelpful bish sessions.

Ramp Up Your Routine

Sometimes, discouragement comes from boredom. If your work habits feel stale, it’s time to experiment. Try writing in a new location. Maybe a new coffee shop or get a day pass for a coworking space. Just for fun, try a writing prompt in a genre you don’t typically write in. Experiment with writing at a new time of day, or take a walk before you start writing. Look for something new that ramps up your enthusiasm.

Shifting your writing routine does more than improve productivity. It also opens your mind to new creative avenues. A change of scenery or a shift in process can get you thinking differently (and more positively)!

Pro tip: Try one “creative change” per week. Try writing outdoors, experiment with voice-to-text software, or even read a book outside your typical interests for inspiration.

Extinguish Burnout

If you’re constantly pushing yourself, feeling discouraged and unmotivated can be signs of burnout. Take a break to help your mind reset. Sometimes a quick nap or a day off is all you need to get motivated and improve creativity and focus.

Taking a rest doesn’t mean abandoning your projects. It means giving yourself permission to recharge so you come back stronger. Try meditating, going for a walk, or doing a non-writing hobby. These mental breaks can reignite your passion and banish discouragement.

Related insight: Research from the National Institutes of Health has shown a quick nap can spark creativity. It also improves your cognitive state.

Remember Past Success

Finally, when writing doubts creep in, one of the best ways to turn it around is to remember past successes. Revisit your portfolio or reread positive feedback from clients. It’ll remind you of your skills and achievements. Doing this every now and then counteracts negative self-talk and reinforces confidence (two things all writers deal with).

As you look back on accomplishments, it’ll remind you that you’re capable of success. Feeling discouraged as a writer is something we all deal with. On low-motivation days, reviewing past successes can be the kick you need to get back at the keyboard.

Pro tip: Create a digital folder or scrapbook of your best work and testimonials. Take a look when you need a boost of encouragement.

So, can you beat feeling discouraged as a freelance writer?

Obviously, yes! Try any of these strategies, and find what works for you. Discouragement is part of the writing journey, but it doesn’t have to derail your progress. Stay connected to your purpose, celebrate small wins, and seek support. It all adds up to motivation to stay on course. Remember, every successful writer faces challenges—it’s how you respond that defines your success.

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