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From Stuck to Structured: A Roadmap for Writing Without Overwhelm
From Stuck to Structured: A Roadmap for Writing Without Overwhelm
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
Writing Isn’t Just About Words - It’s About You
Writing Isn’t Just About Words - It’s About You
Writing and research are never just about getting words on the page. They’re about thinking, feeling, and making sense of what you know. But sometimes that process gets tangled in fear, uncertainty, or exhaustion. If you’ve ever stared at a blank page and felt like it was staring back, you’re not alone.
This guide is here to help you move from stuck to structured. Not by forcing yourself to write harder, but by understanding what’s actually getting in your way and shifting how you engage with your work.
Step 1: Name What’s Actually Blocking You
Step 1: Name What’s Actually Blocking You
Writing resistance isn’t always about the task itself. It can signal a need for clarity, care, or a shift in rhythm. Bringing awareness to the kind of block you’re facing can make it easier to move forward. Therefore, before you push through a writing block, take a moment to ask: What’s making this feel hard?
Is it structural? (You don’t know what comes next, or the argument feels unclear.)
Is it emotional? (You’re afraid of getting it wrong, or your research feels deeply personal.)
Is it about energy? (You’re exhausted, burnt out, or can’t focus.)
👉 Try this: Write a single sentence by finishing one of these thoughts:
"Writing feels hard right now because…"
"I am stuck right now because..."
"Writing makes me feel..."
Sometimes, just identifying the issue is enough to shift how you approach it.
Step 2: Make the Process Work for You
Step 2: Make the Process Work for You
Most writing advice assumes that if you just had more discipline, the words would flow. That’s not true. Good writing happens when you create a process that fits your brain, your body, and your life.
If traditional approaches don’t work, experiment with:
Speaking your ideas aloud first and transcribing them.
Writing out of order instead of starting at the beginning.
Using placeholders for hard sections ([I don’t know how to phrase this yet]).
Setting time-based goals instead of word counts (e.g., 25 minutes of focused work instead of “500 words”).
👉 Try this: Create a sensory experience that you replicate when you write that would get you in the mood: Listening to a particular soundscape, burning a candle with an evocative scent, identifying and touching a talisman before writing, brewing a specific flavour of tea, creating an inspirational vision board you can see while typing. All of these rituals that support a writing process that fits your brain, your body, and your life. It's not about forcing discipline; it's about building conditions that help you feel ready to begin.
Applying this to writing: A story
I’m currently writing a creative academic nonfiction book on ghosts and hauntology as applied to Canadian history education. This is a different kind of writing and research than I’ve done before, and sometimes I found it difficult to rely on my usual processes to get into the right mindset for consistent writing.
To counter this, I created a highly sensory experience in my office to help connect with the mental and emotional space I needed for this type of writing and theorizing.
I burned a ghost candle that I only light while writing🕯️
I diffused a scent I associate with a haunted mansion🔮
I surrounded myself with objects that symbolize the longer process of writing—placing them in and around my desk as reminders🗝️
I wore a skeleton sweater while writing💀
I’ve also listened nighttime forest sounds on YouTube🌌
All of these elements became part of a ritual that distinguished this writing from other work I was doing in the same space.
By being intentional about these sensory experiences, and the rituals that accompany them, I’ve begun to see this writing as a multimedia piece more so than words on a page.
Step 3: Reframe Resistance as Information
Step 3: Reframe Resistance as Information
If you’re avoiding a section or struggling to finish, there’s a reason. Resistance isn’t failure; it’s information. It’s how your mind and body signal that something needs attention. Instead of pushing through or powering past it, pause and listen. Slowing down may actually help you move forward with more ease.
Ask yourself:
What feels heavy about this section? (Is it emotionally hard? Intellectually unclear?)
What would make it feel easier? (More structure? A different starting point?)
What’s the smallest step forward? (Instead of “write the chapter,” try “write a rough bullet-point outline.”)
👉 Try this: Instead of criticizing yourself for being stuck, go for a walk and ask your mind and body: What is my resistance trying to tell me? Where in my body do I feel that resistance? What part of this project feels most alive right now? What part feels most distant or foggy? What kinds of emotional, practical, or creative support might help me re-engage with this work?
Take those messages seriously. Adjust your approach to writing accordingly.
Step 4: Build Momentum with Supportive Accountability
Step 4: Build Momentum with Supportive Accountability
Writing takes time, energy, and the right conditions. When you’re working alone, especially on a long project, it’s easy to lose momentum. Supportive accountability can help you stay connected. Whether it’s a friend, a writing group, or a coach, having someone witness your process can bring focus, motivation, and clarity.
If you struggle with accountability, try:
Scheduling a check-in with a friend to talk through progress.
Using a co-writing session (virtual or in-person) to write alongside others.
Breaking tasks into micro-goals and track (and celebrate!) small wins.
👉 Try this: Choose one action you can take today to make writing feel more possible, even if it’s small. Contact me and let me know what worked! I always love to hear what works for people. However, I can also be your "accountability buddy"! A full coaching package may be a good option for you!
Step 5: Stay With It! Writing Is a Relationship You Have to Nurture
Step 5: Stay With It! Writing Is a Relationship You Have to Nurture
Writing isn’t a sprint. It’s a relationship you return to again and again, sometimes with excitement, sometimes with frustration. There will be days when the words flow, and days when even opening the document feels impossible. That’s part of the process.
Instead of expecting constant progress, build rituals that help you stay in conversation with your project. Try:
Make time to check in with your ideas, even when you're not drafting.
Read something that inspires you: non-fiction, fiction, popular. Anything counts!
Revisit your outline.
Talk to someone who understands the emotional weight of writing.
Every small act of care helps keep the connection alive.
👉 Try this: Write a short note to your project as if it were a person. What do you want it to know right now? Are you excited, frustrated, apologetic, proud? Try writing this letter by hand, in your Notes app, as a voice memo, in Word. Are you learning different things about this project when you engage with it in different media? Reflecting on this and the content of your letters can help shift your mindset from pressure to relationship, and remind you that your work is alive and evolving too.
FINAL THOUGHTS
FINAL THOUGHTS
If You Are Stuck While Writing: You Are Not The Problem
If You Are Stuck While Writing: You Are Not The Problem
If writing has felt impossible, it’s not because you’re not good enough. It is because the process hasn’t been working for you. You deserve support, structure, and a way of working that feels sustainable.
Book an initial clarity session where we can identify what’s keeping you stuck and identify a path forward.
If you want deeper guidance, let’s talk! If you want to do these activities together, book an initial meet and greet session.
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