Struggling to Write? Here’s Why You Need Less Inspiration, Not More

As writers, we all love inspiration, right? It’s what gets the creative gears turning. But lately, I’ve been wondering — can we have too much of it?

I’m probably not the best person to ask. Full disclosure: I’m not the biggest reader. I know, I know — gasp! — but it’s true. I tend to be a bit of a reluctant reader. A book really has to grab me by the scruff of the neck to keep me hooked. Part of me feels like this might actually be an advantage when it comes to my writing, though. There’s less noise rattling around in my head, leaving my imagination to run wild on its own.

But on the flip side, I also know the struggle of too much distraction — information overload, constant stimulation, trying to write while doom-scrolling through my phone, or watching The Great British Bake-Off. (Seriously, editing while watching people bake? What was I thinking?) What should have been a ten-minute job took me the entire episode — and, spoiler, the results were half-baked (and left me craving a Battenberg!)

The Inspiration Trap

Here’s the thing: writers are surrounded by inspiration. From the books we read to the content we consume online, it’s everywhere. And that’s great! But sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Too much inspiration can be just as bad as not enough — it makes your mind feel cluttered. All those external voices start to drown out your own.

I’ve found that when I try to write with too many distractions or influences in my head, the quality suffers. Sure, I’ll get words down on the page, but they’ll be absolute crap. Learning to write in less-than-ideal environments is a good skill to have — but if you’re already battling writer’s block or feeling uninspired, it’s not always the best approach.

Creating Space

What I’ve learned (and I’m definitely still learning) is that sometimes the best way to find inspiration is to step away from it all. Put your phone down, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths. We live in a world that’s always buzzing, but writing needs space. We need those quiet moments to really dig into our imagination and let the ideas flow.

And here’s the kicker: even ten minutes of clear-headed, focused time can be better than an hour spent trying to write in the middle of chaos. That’s when the fun of writing can come back — the part that makes it all worthwhile. Writing should be enjoyable, even when it’s tough. But if we’re constantly bombarded by too much information, it can take the joy out of it.

The Takeaway

So, can a writer have too much inspiration? I don’t know — maybe! But I think the real lesson is to give yourself the space to think clearly. You don’t need to cut out all external influences or inspiration, but sometimes just taking a breather and quieting the noise can make all the difference.

Writing doesn’t have to be perfect, and neither does your writing environment, but finding a bit of balance and peace can turn the process from stressful to fun again. And that’s what it’s all about.