There are days when everything feels harder than usual. You look at the work in front of you and wonder how you’re supposed to keep going.
I’ve been there, more times than I’d like to admit. As someone who writes for a living, I know what it’s like to stare at a blank page and feel like walking away.
Motivation doesn’t always come easily, but I’ve found ways to keep it alive during the rough patches. If you’ve hit a wall lately, I hope these ideas will help you keep pushing forward.
Set small, clear goals
When things feel overwhelming, it’s usually because the task ahead looks too big. Instead of thinking about finishing an entire project, I break it into small steps.
Writing a 3,000-word article? I focus on getting through the first 300. Working on a client assignment? I aim to finish the outline first.
These little goals help build momentum. Each small win reminds me that I’m making progress. And once I’m moving, it’s much easier to keep going.
Take breaks, but don’t quit
It’s easy to mistake fatigue for failure. There are times when my brain feels like it’s done for the day, and the only thing I want is to close my laptop.
When that happens, I give myself permission to take a break. Maybe it’s a walk around the block or five minutes of fresh air. A reset like that clears my head without pulling me off track.
The key is to step away just long enough to recharge, not so long that you lose sight of what you’re trying to finish.
Remind yourself why you started
When I feel like giving up, I think back to what got me excited about the work in the first place.
Was it the chance to earn money doing something I enjoy? Was it the freedom that comes with being my own boss?
Maybe it was the simple fact that I had something to say.
Whatever the reason, reconnecting with that original spark helps. It pulls me out of the slump and reminds me what I’m working toward.
Keep a record of your wins
When motivation is low, it’s easy to forget everything you’ve achieved so far. That’s why I keep a folder of nice feedback I’ve received, projects I’ve completed, and milestones I’ve hit.
On days when I feel like I’m not getting anywhere, I open that folder.
Looking at past wins helps me see that I’ve done hard things before. If I could do those, I can do this too.
Change the scenery
Working in the same spot every day can make everything feel stale. If I’ve been stuck for hours, I’ll pack up my laptop and go to a café or even just move to a different room.
A new setting can do wonders for my focus.
Sometimes the change is small — like opening the window or clearing off my desk. Little shifts in the space around me help shake off the mental fog.
Talk it out
When I’m stuck in my own head, problems feel bigger than they are. I’ve found that talking to someone — a friend, a fellow freelancer, or even a family member — helps me see things more clearly.
There’s something about saying it out loud that takes away some of the weight. The people I talk to don’t even have to offer solutions.
Just hearing myself explain what’s wrong helps me figure out what to do next.
Focus on the process, not just the result
I’ll admit it: I get caught up in wanting the final product to be perfect. But when I only focus on the end goal, the work feels heavier.
I’ve learned to pay attention to the small daily actions that get me there.
For me, that means showing up at my desk, writing a set number of words, or editing one section at a time.
Focusing on the process makes the work feel more manageable. And before I know it, I’m closer to the result I wanted.
Make room for fun
When I’m burned out, it’s usually because I’ve forgotten to make time for the things I enjoy. Even when I have a busy week, I try to carve out moments for something light.
That might mean playing guitar, watching a favorite show, or cooking a new dish.
Giving myself permission to have fun keeps me from feeling like my entire life is just work. And when I come back to the task at hand, I’m in a better headspace.
Stop comparing yourself to others
It’s easy to look at what others are doing and feel like you’re falling behind. I’ve done it.
I’ve scrolled through social media and seen other writers landing big gigs or publishing books, and I’ve wondered why I’m not there yet.
But that kind of thinking only drags me down. Everyone’s path is different. I remind myself that what matters is the progress I’m making at my own pace.
The only person I need to outdo is the person I was yesterday.
Stay flexible
Plans change. Life throws curveballs. I’ve had weeks where everything I set out to do fell apart because of unexpected events.
In those moments, I’ve learned to be kind to myself. If something isn’t working, I look for another way forward.
Being flexible doesn’t mean giving up. It means adjusting so that I can keep moving. There’s always another way to get where I want to go — even if it’s not the way I first imagined.
Get enough rest
It’s hard to stay motivated when you’re running on empty. I’ve learned this the hard way.
Pushing through on too little sleep or skipping meals doesn’t make me more productive — it just makes me feel worse.
I try to treat rest as part of the work. When I take care of myself, I have more energy to do the things that matter.
Don’t wait for motivation to appear
Some days I don’t feel motivated at all. If I waited for the perfect burst of energy or inspiration, I’d probably get nothing done.
What helps me is starting anyway. Even if I don’t feel like writing, I open the document and type a few lines. Even if I don’t feel like planning, I jot down a rough idea.
Once I begin, motivation often shows up. The act of doing creates its own energy.
Be patient
Staying motivated isn’t about feeling fired up every single day. There will be times when it’s hard. Progress will feel slow. That’s normal. I remind myself that good work takes time.
Each small effort adds up, even when it doesn’t seem like it in the moment. Patience helps me keep going when the finish line feels far away.
The bottom line
Motivation comes and goes. That’s just part of how it works. What matters is finding ways to keep moving even when you don’t feel at your best.
Over the years, these habits have helped me through plenty of tough spots.
Whatever you’re working toward, remember that it’s okay to have hard days. What counts is that you keep showing up.