When I Want to Write but Can’t
I thought I couldn't write but this article exists, doesn't it?
On a typical workday, our team met to discuss upcoming tasks and someone suggested we start a blog for our website. As the resident content writer, I immediately felt this heavy expectation that ‘I’ should be the first to write. Ironically, I ended up being the last to contribute. The inability to write anything worth reading, left me embarrassed and questioning my qualifications as a writer. Like this is the ultimate test of my education, and I’m failing it.
But in between those spiraling thoughts, I found some relief in the people around me. Conversations with my teammates made me realise I’m not alone. No matter how experienced or educated you are, writing can feel uncomfortable and scary. Listed below are a few barriers I thought we all seemed to share and re-looking at from an enabling perspective.
There’s this voice whispering, “Is that all? Are you sure this is right?”
Writing is daunting because it’s not just about what you put on the page. You’re always thinking about who will read it, and worse—whether you know enough to write it. There’s this voice whispering, “Is that all? Are you sure this is right?” It reminds me of imposter syndrome, where you constantly feel like you’re not good enough especially when compared to an imaginary reader of your work.
This imaginary reader becomes a cause of fear whose omnipresence tends to feel burdensome to the writer. Instead, we should perhaps come to terms with the reality that all readers are humans and if they are then it makes them as fallible and as vulnerable as you are. And the only way to go past this obstacle is to accept that some knowledge gaps will always be there and that’s completely okay!
Being aware of the reader can push you to write better, but being scared of them?
That’s when writing becomes impossible.
My words have to be the final word, that if I’m wrong, then I’ve messed up in some big way
When I write, I feel like my words have to be the final word, that if I’m wrong, then I’ve messed up in some big way. The image of being told to stand in the corner of a classroom with my hands up for giving a wrong answer comes up every time i make up my mind to write and that’s when I know – this is not the most optimal mindset to begin writing– thus beginning a cycle of procrastination.
I remember talking to someone about this and they said "If you assume you're wrong, you never give yourself a chance to be right.”
This really did stick with me and in the process of overcoming this fear i realised that writing isn’t about being right or wrong—it’s about discovery. Opinions change, beliefs evolve, and writing reflects that. It’s personal, messy, and imperfect—just like us.
I might not be able to match upto peer expectations
The fear of being judged looms large in everything we do but more so in writing. It might be due to a myriad reasons but the most prominent one for me was the idea that I might not be able to match upto the expectations my peers or acquaintances may have of my writing.
While judgement could be paralysing, the truth is that i need to accept the fact that i will be judged because honestly, who doesn’t judge.
But there is a difference between being judged and being dismissed.
If someone takes the time to read your work, they’re engaging with your ideas and paying attention to your thoughts. The real danger isn’t judgment, it’s prejudice- because it shuts down all channels of conversation. Writing can account for a lot of things, but not for how readers will perceive it.
People are going to hold me accountable for every word
Sometimes the weight of responsibility feels like too much, especially when you think that people are going to hold you accountable for every word. It may feel like you are the guardian ad litem for your writing as well as people who agree with and follow your writing.
Unfortunately or fortunately, you will be held responsible for your writing— especially by your own self. And maybe thats how it should be. That responsibility shouldn't scare you; it should inspire authenticity.
Writing is an extension of who you are, and taking ownership of that truth is a powerful practice.
They say inspiration is everywhere, but sometimes it feels like it’s nowhere.
There’s this common piece of advice that inspiration is everywhere, but sometimes it feels like it’s nowhere. The pressure to come up with the “perfect” topic makes writing feel like a chore which is probably not the best way to start.
Writing can actually start with something you know, something simple like your own experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Journaling actually is a great way to begin.
If it still feels overwhelming, it’s okay to step back and say, “It’s okay if I don’t want to write right now, i could try another day.”
Citing can feel daunting
Coming from a literature background, I was taught to always cite my sources. While it’s crucial for ethical reasons, it can also feel daunting. Knowing that so many brilliant people have already said what I want to say makes me question whether my contribution is even worthy of anyone’s time. On the flip side, when no one seems to agree with my ideas, I wonder if I’m just plain wrong.
This was a major hiccup i faced during my university days and my professors told me that–
Originality doesn’t always mean being the first
Originality can also mean adding your unique voice to an ongoing discourse. On the other hand, even disagreement or a lack of resources on a topic could be telling and warrants the topic’s validity enough to be explored.
…..
In the end, writing is less about perfection and more about expression. It’s messy, personal, and sometimes hard—but that’s what makes it worth doing. If you’re struggling like I am, you’re not alone.
The words will come, and when they do, they’ll be enough.
un:fold is a space where folks from fold labs write about learning, behaviour, systems, tech, equity and whatever else is occupying our mind.
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