Avoid This One Unrealistic Expectation As A Beginner Writer

and build unwavering confidence

Akanksha Priyadarshini
New Writers Welcome
2 min readAug 10, 2024

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Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash

I’ve been publishing online since last year.

And to be honest, dealing with self-doubt is much harder than I thought it would be.

With so many talented writers out there, it’s easy to feel both inspired and overwhelmed. Plus, the need to improve makes you grab every glittery idea of how you should be.

But, as a beginner, it’s important to manage the standards you set for yourself.

Otherwise, every struggle drags down your self-esteem.

That’s why you must avoid this one expectation as a new writer:

Becoming obsessed with writing from day 1.

It’s not only unfair. But also fuels your imposter syndrome when reality hits.

Because the truth is:

You don’t enjoy writing in the beginning as much as you expect.

Obsession is created

Let’s face it — you’re not going to wake up tomorrow and write like a ninja.

I know how it looks from the outside. You love to write. You will publish article after article. And life will be amazing.

But, do not beat yourself up when that doesn’t happen.

A writing habit and a genuine appreciation for it are cultivated over time.

Instead of pushing yourself to become better and faster. Meet yourself where you are and set practical goals to make progress.

  • Struggling to hit 1000 words? Aim for 500.
  • Unable to write every day? Start with writing twice a week.
  • Finding it hard to publish two articles? Focus on publishing one.
  • Not enjoying the process? Pause and reflect on why you started.

Basically, give yourself the space to develop a writer’s mindset.

There’s no magic to obsession.

It’s all about commitment, consistent actions, and resilience.

If you can do it, 6 months from now you’ll be amazed at how confident you feel moving forward.

Plus, writing every day will not be a challenge anymore.

So, go on. Grow into loving the craft.

Continue publishing, experiment with distinct styles, help readers and learn through the process.

After all, the path gets tough before it gets easier.

Thank you for reading!

Do you struggle to manage expectations in your writing journey?

Let me know in the comments.

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Akanksha Priyadarshini
New Writers Welcome

Writer, Engineer, Thinker | Join me on a journey of self-discovery and mental well-being | akankshapriyadarshini.substack.com