I told myself I wasn’t going to skip it.
Not again.
Not today.
The whole I’m gonna wake up early and write thing.
Because lately, I’ve been failing with flying colors.
I’m on the umpteenth rewrite of my book, and I know that’s what I should be doing.
Undoubtedly.
But when morning rolls around, I find myself glued to my phone.
Again.
Time passes. After losing and regaining my willpower, I finally sit down to write when my cat rubs against my leg. Next thing I know, I’m with the cat outside, back on my phone knee-deep in the latest QB controversy in Cleveland.
You know real important stuff.
By the time I’m back inside, it’s twenty minutes till work and I tell myself there’s not enough time for anything “meaningful” so I end up scribbling half-thoughts.
I swear tomorrow will be different.
It never is.
Then at night, I lie in bed, beating myself up, thinking, “When the hell am I going to get serious again?”
That’s life as a writer.
The Real Problem
If this sounds like you, here’s the mental shift you need to make:
You’re not writing because it doesn’t sound fun.
And you’re right—it’s not.
Starting writing, that is.
Because starting is awkward.
You’re turning your brain on.
It’s slow and uncomfortable in the same way starting a workout is uncomfortable—you don’t want to do it until you’ve done it.
But the real problem isn’t the discomfort.
The real problem is that you’ve let that discomfort be the deciding factor.
You’ve let the “ugh, I don’t feel like it” moment win.
And if you wait until you feel like writing, you’ll write about as often as a Game of Thrones book comes out.
Redefine What Sucks
Here’s the trick: you can’t magically make writing easier. But you can make not writing harder.
Here’s what I mean.
At the end of the day, when you skip, you feel regret. You feel like you wasted your shot.
Most people shake that feeling off, but I’m telling you to sit in it.
Don’t dodge it, but feel the pain.
Because when you let yourself fully feel that sting, your brain starts making the connection: “Oh… skipping actually feels worse than starting.”
And that’s the moment you regain control.
Not because writing became easier—but because avoiding it became unbearable.
Ask Your Higher Self
Picture the highest version of you—the writer who’s already where you want to be.
Now imagine they’re watching you right now.
What would they say?
Probably something like:
“Tough shit, do it anyway. It’s not supposed to be comfortable, it’s supposed to be done.”
At least mine would, and he’d be right.
The Bottom Line
Humans run from pain.
It’s just what we do.
So make the pain of avoiding your work bigger than the pain of starting it.
Because at the end of the day, you’re always choosing a form of discomfort.
So pick the one that moves you forward.
Then sit your ass down and write.
Please like, comment, share, and tell me what you think.
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This ain’t Tony no baloney is it?
No boloney today sir
Very important words!
Thank you so much!!
Ass in seat, fingers warmed up. I never know what I’m going to write until the morning. First week of writing daily was hell but now I’m finding my rhythm and even look at my life differently during the day. Great post!!
There you go! Keep it up
Indeed. Such truth! Thank you for putting it so very well.
The pleasure is all mine my friend, thank you for reading!
Agreed. Starting is the hardest part. If I can just get one or two lines down, that seems to start the flow. But if those lines aren’t already wobbling around in my mind waiting to escape, I’m stuck.
Been there so many times! I started just jotting intros down in my phone
Umpteenth revision! I know that novel! 😂
I retired from my day job to write. It took me five years and two dogs who can’t live without routine to keep me on task. I write while they nap. My breaks are when they need to:
-Go out
-Have snacks
-Terrorize small interlopers in the yard
-eat dog dinner
They sleep a lot… but no … my novel is still a WIP! 😂
It’s crazy how when we get more free time we write less!
I’ve pondered that phenomenon.
We’re so used to filling every moment with productivity I think we forget a huge part of writing happens in the daydream moments… so showering, driving, dog walking, mindless doomscrolling… our hands and bodies are doing something which leaves our brains free to wander in search of what if’s…
I’ve learned to grab some sort of pen or paint brush and start drawing or painting to fill those moments.
I guess I’ve become very disciplined in this way about most things down the years. Like, I’ve just done the housework. I nevet want to do it but it needs to be done, so I just do it, and then it’s done, until next time. Housework is unpleasant to me, but writing isn’t. Every day I write something -a book review, a blog post, even comments on other people’s blogs or social media posts. Sometimes it’s a book, like now. I’ve just finished the 1st draft of something I’ve been picking up and putting down forever. Now I have to edit etc and put it out there, and I will. But I don’t worry if I don’t work on a book every day. Just me, just the way I am. We all get there, in our own ways. Thanks for the post, Tony. 😎
Hey Robert I usually hate receiving newsletters on my email, but yours is the only one I actually read. Please keep writing!! I love the humor, the values, everything!! Something about your writing just hooks me every time. I wish Im your first Filipino fan lol
Thank you so so much for the kind words, this made my day!
The inspiration i needed haha
Thank you for your relatable writing. Yes, I also find it hard to start; sometimes. Other times I sit down and let it flow. It helps to have adventure and emotions to source the flow, and an audience, real or imagined. My weekly writing this week surprised me, not the content, but the unexpected catchy turns of phrases. I love it when that happens. “I was afraid I might get sea sick on the way to church! We rose very early on Sunday and though greeted by a beautiful calm east sky surrounding Haleakala, as we pulled onto the Maalaea dock we were greeted by boulders that had been thrown from the sea into the parking lot.”
It’s the best feeling when we surprise ourselves. Thanks for the kind words
Beautiful piece of writing
thank you so much!
This is so true- and it applies to everything!!
Absolutely! Workouts for me particularly
💯
Very true and I’ve also been thinking about and I’ve stop skipping things that I need to do
Thanks
Totally agree
Just sit down in front of that screen. Not the one with the news, the sports, or the weather. The one with your story on it. Just sit down with it. Look at it. And have your keyboard handy. Works every time😜🕴
Damn right my friend, damn right
It’s so on point. I mean I have been experiencing this lately and I mean it! It’s so bothersome and tiring. The distraction causes you. But, here I am trying.
That’s all you can do!!
The story of my life. Thanks for the advice, Tony.
It’s my life too! We can do this
Ouch… I felt every word. I’m guilty of letting ‘I don’t feel like it’ win way too often.
All good- we all are
“Failing with flying colours”
Guilty as charged officer…
Hahah well I’ll see you in the cell bunkmate
Yes! I have so many ideas in my head! I’m thinking maybe I just need to throw in a title and a few words for a draft.
This is the way!
I don’t have a problem with writer’s block. I have exerciser’s block. I like sitting at my computer and making up stories more than the exercises I’m supposed to be doing. Something always gets lost in the shuffle.
I love the way you write. Myself, i wait for the existential nudge that can come from anything that triggers a thought, a connection, an insight. The littlest thing: a hair on the floor, a beetle, a cloud in the sky.
Thank you so so much! I think you’re right on the money
Commended
Ty!
I guess i needed this reminder today, been lazy lately….my take away its about making the discomfort of not doing it more .Thankyou
This is the way
Well said! Kicking yourself in the butt is exactly what you need to do. 🙂
Sit down, clear your head, see who drops by and what they have to say. The cosmic radio is always on. We’re the problem.
Failing that, pick three characters from the news, the phone, your last trip to Walmart. Pack them into a military/hipster/geezer/techno themed coffee shop. Poke one of them, sit back, transcribe. Next.