If you’ve ever stared at a blank screen and thought, “Where do I even start?” — trust me, you’re not alone. Even writers who’ve been at it for years (like me) still face the dreaded blank page anxiety. The good news? Over time, I’ve built a few habits and tricks that help me stop overthinking and actually get words flowing and ensure i provide a very good writing service. Let me take you through my process.
Step 1: I Lower the Bar (on Purpose)
This sounds strange, but the first thing I tell myself is: “Your first draft doesn’t need to be good—it just needs to exist.”
The pressure to write something “perfect” right away is what blocks most people. So instead, I start messy. Sometimes I literally type nonsense or questions to myself: “Okay, what am I trying to say here? Why does this matter?” Once the page has something on it, even if it’s bad, my brain relaxes.
👉 Writing tip: If the page feels intimidating, don’t write sentences—write bullet points. They’re easier to clean up later.
Step 2: I Write Before I Edit
Here’s my rule: drafting and editing don’t mix. Drafting is creative, editing is critical. If you try to do both at once, your brain starts fighting itself.
So I allow myself to write like nobody will ever read it. Grammar mistakes, repeated words, half-finished sentences—it doesn’t matter. Editing comes later. Separating the two stages keeps me moving instead of stuck on one sentence for an hour.
Step 3: I Borrow My Future Self’s Brain
This trick always helps: I stop mid-thought.
Instead of finishing a paragraph completely, I leave a note to myself like: “Insert example here” or “Come back and polish this sentence.” Why? Because when I return the next day, I’m not starting from zero—I already have momentum waiting for me.
It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for your future self. And honestly, it makes writing way less scary the next morning.
Step 4: I Steal Time, Not Just Blocks
We always hear about “setting aside two hours to write.” That’s great, but honestly, most of my best writing happens in stolen moments—15 minutes between tasks, or 20 minutes before bed.
I’ve learned that writing doesn’t always need a huge setup. Sometimes, the words come easier when I know I only have a short window. It forces me to focus instead of overthinking.
👉 Interactive tip: Try opening a blank note on your phone and writing just 100 words when you’re waiting in line, sitting in the car (not driving, of course 😅), or even during your lunch break. You’ll be surprised how fast these small chunks add up.
Step 5: I Keep a “Seed Bank”
Ideas don’t always show up when I’m at my desk. They come when I’m in the shower, walking, or even arguing with my friends. To catch them, I keep a running “seed bank”—a simple list on my phone where I drop random thoughts, lines, or questions.
When I sit down to write and feel stuck, I open the list and pick one seed. That way, I’m never really starting from scratch—I’m just growing an idea I already planted earlier.
Step 6: I Treat Writing Like Talking
This one changed everything for me: I stopped trying to sound “like a writer.” Instead, I imagine I’m just explaining something to a friend over coffee. That’s why you’ll see me using words like “okay” or “let’s be honest” in my posts—it’s literally how I talk.
The moment I dropped the pressure to be “literary” and instead focused on being clear and conversational, writing got a lot easier (and honestly, more fun).
Final Thoughts
Blank page anxiety never completely disappears, but it doesn’t have to control you. My approach is simple:
- Lower the pressure.
- Write messy first.
- Leave notes for your future self.
- Use stolen time.
- Collect idea seeds.
- Write like you talk.
If you can adopt even one of these, writing will feel less like a battle and more like a conversation. At the end of the day, that’s what writing is: you, sharing your thoughts with someone else. The blank page isn’t your enemy—it’s just waiting for your story.