I’ve made it through the first seven days of my 30-day writing challenge.
It’s been a rollercoaster. I started strong, stalled midway, almost gave up, and then pulled myself back on track. Seven days isn’t a long time, yet it felt like one.
What’s Working: My Morning Writing Ritual
To set myself up for success, I created a simple morning ritual:
- A 15-minute walk to wake up my mind and body.
- Neuro-effect music from brain.fm to help me focus.
- A 45-60 minute writing session to get words on the page. If I don’t finish, I revisit it later in the morning.
This structure has been a game-changer. It reduces friction, eliminates decision fatigue, and helps me start writing effortlessly each day. I’ll definitely keep this routine going.
Challenges I’ve Faced (And How I’m Fixing Them)
1. Digital Distractions
I used to keep Threads and YouTube open on my second screen—not actively checking, but the flashing updates pulled my attention away.
✅ Fix: I now use Flocus in full-screen mode as a digital timer, blocking out distractions completely.
2. Blank Page Syndrome
Even with a daily writing prompt, I sometimes stared at my screen, unsure where to begin. Brainstorming on the spot took time, and I often ran out of my writing block.
✅ Fix: The night before, I review the next day’s prompt and jot down key ideas. This simple habit has made starting much easier.
3. Over-Editing While Writing
I kept interrupting my flow—fixing typos, adjusting sentence structure, tweaking wording.
✅ Fix: I now write first, edit later. I focus on getting my thoughts out without stopping, then spend five minutes afterward cleaning it up.
4. Self-Doubt & Overthinking
I caught myself judging my writing in real-time—thinking it wasn’t good enough, questioning whether I should even share it.
✅ Fix: I remind myself: I’m writing for one person—imagining a conversation with them. This mindset shift helps me focus on telling a story instead of worrying about perfection.
The Journey Continues
This writing challenge is about more than just writing. It’s revealing my habits, my mindset, and my discipline.
It’s not easy—but I’m starting to enjoy the process.
Let’s see what the next 23 days bring.
