How can I motivate myself to start writing as I really want to write but something from inside stopping me from writing?

Ever felt like your inner critic has you in a chokehold? If you nodded, keep reading. Our inner critic is that nagging voice that tells us we’re not good enough, smart enough, or creative enough. It’s the story we keep telling ourselves—the one that builds a wall between who we are and who we aspire to be.

Let’s set the stage: You’ve poured your heart into a poem, something raw and real. You muster the courage to show it to a seasoned writer, only to be met with criticism that cuts deep. “You don’t have any style,” they say. Suddenly, you’re convinced you’re a fraud, that you should never write again. Sound familiar?

But what if you hit pause on that inner critic? What if, instead of surrendering to self-doubt, you imagined the possibility of improvement? Sure, maybe right now you’re not writing sonnets that would make Shakespeare jealous, but mastery takes time and effort.

Remember Ed Sheeran’s early years? Ed Sheeran's early vocals were cringe-worthy, yet he didn't give up. He practiced, and now look where he is.

I stumbled upon this “ninja technique” of quieting my inner critic not too long ago.

I created a Quora page under a random name—"Blurry Life"—thinking that if my writing was disapproved of or even hated, at least I could hide behind anonymity. But guess what? My writing was appreciated. Why? Because I tried. I took a chance.

Next time your inner critic rears its head, tell it to take a backseat. Take that chance. Who knows? You might just surprise yourself.

Don’t think much just write !

Anushka (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡