NicoleThis time of year can feel particularly heavy for writers. The unfinished projects pile up. The vision for the next year feels hazy. The weight of everything undone sits on your shoulders.
I know, because I’ve been there.
After finishing my MA thesis in creative writing this September — a huge milestone — I fell into a creative hole. I haven’t written any fiction since, and for a while, I felt like a failure. Even now, as I write around 1,500 words of non-fiction per week for my newsletter, blogs, and social media, that small voice still whispers, “Is this enough?”
I see the same pattern with the writers I coach. In my 90-day program, participants accomplished incredible things: articles published, book chapters finished, promotion applications submitted. Yet, even they questioned themselves, wondering if they could have done more.
As the year ends, it’s natural to feel this way. But here’s what I want you to know: you’re not failing. You’re still on the journey.
Let’s go through a few mindset shifts.
You Are Okay, Right Now and Right Here
Your worth as a writer isn’t measured by how much you’ve finished or how “perfectly” you’ve followed your plans. It’s measured by your courage to keep showing up, your willingness to learn, and the grace you give yourself along the way.
Even the pauses — those times when you feel stuck or like you’re falling behind — are part of the process. They give you the chance to reset, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.
So many times I slowed down this year: when my kids struggled with school attendance; when I lost most of my regular childcare help; when I realised I’m eating junk food instead of exercising and lost more and more energy. And the writing? Wasn’t great!
Where do you feel like you fell short?
Remember this, every word you’ve written, every idea you’ve explored, and every attempt you’ve made this year has added to your journey as a writer. You’ve done more than you realise, and you are further along than you think. I need to tell myself that almost daily.
The Future Is Brighter Than It Feels
Another mindsetshift that helps me and my clients daily. You don’t need to have all the answers right now. You don’t need to finish every project or map out every goal before January 1st.
Instead, I invite you to pause, reflect, and trust that clarity will come.
Just this week, I found myself upset about a personal issue — I had become emotional in a formal meeting, and afterward, I felt ashamed and guilty.
To process it, I wrote a letter to my Past Self in my journal.
“Dear Past Nicole, you did your best. You reacted like a human being. It’s okay that you cried. I’m here to tell you it’s normal and you can let go of feeling guilty…”
As I wrote, I felt gratitude and empathy for my Past Self. My mood shifted, and I knew I was going to be okay.
Moments like these remind me of the power of reflection. Writing to yourself, releasing guilt, and showing yourself compassion can be transformative.
How to Step Into 2025 With Clarity
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by unfinished projects and unclear about what’s next, start with this:
- Acknowledge how far you’ve come this year.
- Let go of the need to have it all figured out by January 1st.
- Trust that clarity will meet you when you’re ready.
You don’t need to have all the answers right now. You don’t need to finish every project or map out every goal before January 1st. What matters most is that you give yourself permission to pause, reflect, and trust that clarity will come.
You are okay, right here and right now. And when you’re ready, the next step will meet you.
If you’d like a gentle guide to help you reflect on this year and set your intentions for the next, my Writing Year in Review Reflection Journal is here to support you. It’s designed to help you release what’s weighing you down, celebrate your wins, and step into 2025 with confidence and purpose.
