Every writer knows how to face a blank page when motivation is low. Whether you’re stuck on a plot point, feeling uninspired, or just struggling to get started, there’s a tool you may already have at your disposal—your journal.
You can reignite your motivation immediately by journaling to reset your mindset and rekindle your passion.
1. Journaling Your “Do Over”
Just like New Year’s resolutions offer a fresh start, you can declare a ‘do-over’ at any time in your journal. This act of empowerment allows you to take control of your motivation. When you feel unmotivated, take a moment to write out a fresh beginning for your day or week. Use your journal to clear out the mental clutter and declare a reset for your writing goals. Writing about this mental reset helps create the emotional shift you need to get back on track.
2. Dopamine-stimulating Journal Entries
Did you know that journaling about positive experiences can stimulate the same dopamine release as a piece of chocolate? Reflect on past moments of success—times when you overcame a creative block, received positive feedback on your writing or completed a project you were proud of. Writing about these experiences reinforces feelings of accomplishment and brings a sense of joy and inspiration, boosting your brain’s reward system and motivating you to keep moving forward.
3. Reconnect with Your “Why” Through Journaling
Why do you write? What inspired you to start that novel, screenplay, or blog in the first place? When motivation wanes, revisit your journal to explore the deeper reasons behind your creative work. Write out your “why” again and again if you need to, detailing your passion and purpose. This practice helps you reconnect with the core reasons for writing, which can reignite your motivation even on the most challenging days.
Motivation can often feel elusive for writers, but Journaling offers a quick and powerful way to boost your drive. By resetting your mindset, revisiting past victories, and reconnecting with your deeper “why,” you can turn your journal into the ultimate tool for getting motivated at a moment’s notice.
I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through–then follow through. — Edward Rickenbacker
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