Dear Writer, Don’t Forget to Look Around

Hey, everyone! I hope you’re all having an incredible day.

I was thinking a little while back about this subject and decided it would make a good blog post. So here it is! If you’re a writer, please read this entire post! I think it could help you out. If you’re not a writer…well, you can read the post anyway! 😛

Let’s jump right in.

As a writer, doesn’t it sometimes feel like you’re constantly working on one project, writing and writing every single day, working incredibly hard, and it feels like you’re not going anywhere? You wish you could be a better writer, or all ready published, or have people praising you for how amazing your writing is and not always pointing out things that could be better? Well, let me tell you–you don’t have to be ashamed of yourself if you’ve felt this way. I’ve been there too, way more times than once. I think in a way, I’m always in that place, always unhappy with how my writing is and wishing it could be better.

Now, feeling that way isn’t necessarily wrong–if you never have the drive to improve, and you’re comfortable where you’re at, you won’t try to improve. Thus you’ll remain where you are. However, I just want to say, don’t let your self-worth be defined by how good your writing is. Don’t let your self-worth be defined in anything surrounding your writing. Your self-worth has to come from God, and not from the things you do in this life.

However, that said, here are two things you can do to encourage you along your writing journey, especially when you feel like you’re stuck in a swamp of writer’s block, or feel like you’re not ever moving forward in your writing, no matter how hard you try.

Look behind, and look ahead!

“Caleb, what in the world does that mean?”

Well, let me explain!

The first thing you need to do when looking around is to look behind you. No, don’t physically take your eyes off your computer screen or your phone or however you’re reading this, but take a look back at your writing journey. Pull up a document of your old writing. Dig through some papers of a story you wrote when you just started. Look how far you’ve come! If you’ve been writing for any amount of time, I’m sure you’ve improved drastically from when you first began. And that’s an encouraging thought–even if you don’t feel like you’re improving, every word you write makes you a better writer. It may not feel real, but it’s the truth!

The second thing to do is turn back and look ahead. What were the dreams you imagined when you first started your writing journey? To inspire people with your writing? To entertain? To become a published author or become a great poet? Whatever it was, think about it once again. Dwell on it. And let it lift you up! You may not be there yet, but you can continue to work your way toward it. Take a moment to remember why you love writing, and what your next steps should be. They can be baby steps, that’s okay. Even baby steps are still steps in the right direction.

So, dear writer, if you’re feeling discouraged, look around you. See how far you’ve come, and also take a moment to be motivated to reach the goals that are still waiting in front of you. The journey is what makes the destination so rewarding. So enjoy the ride! It’s not so bad when you relax and appreciate the scenery.

Well, I hope this blog post was encouraging to you! When I’m feeling stuck or frustrated with my writing, looking around is always something that lifts my spirits. What is something you do when you’re feeling stuck? I’d love to know!

Keep writing, my friend. Never give up!

Until later,