Less Stress, More Words: A No-Burnout Plan for Writers
Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone.
I don’t know about you, but last year was a wild ride for me, and, I think, for a lot of writers. Between the tech shifts, ever-changing marketing demands, and the constant pressure to do more faster, it’s no wonder so many of us are feeling drained.
We’re constantly told we need to write faster, market harder, master new tools, and somehow still enjoy the process. It’s exhausting. And honestly? It’s not sustainable.
So, let’s try something different this year.
Instead of chasing the next big thing, let’s focus on writing more with less stress. No burnout. No guilt. Let’s build a simple, low-pressure plan to help get words on the page while keeping our sanity intact.
Step 1: Define Your “Enough”
One of the biggest causes of overwhelm is the feeling that we’re never doing enough.
We see other writers publishing five books a year, running TikTok empires, and launching massive newsletters. Meanwhile, we’re just trying to get a few words down between life’s demands.
Here’s the truth: You don’t have to do everything.
Even those people we’re looking up to and watching don’t do everything!
Remember: we only see snapshots of other people’s lives. Likewise, they only see snapshots of ours. That TikTok influencer may struggle with cooking healthy meals or getting enough sleep, but we rarely see that part.
I’ve worked with authors who put out rapid-release books with great reviews, but who secretly longed to write something different, something closer to their heart. From the outside, they look successful, but inside, they’re not doing what they really want to.
I’ve coached authors who look great on social media, but who are so burned out and depressed, they’re struggling to write. They’ve drained their creativity tank on things that look good but that don’t meet their personal goals.
Before you even think about setting your goals, take a step back and ask:
What is “enough” for me this year?
For some, it might be finishing one book. For others, it could be writing three times a week or sending a newsletter once a month.
Your version of success doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. The moment we stop measuring ourselves against what other authors are doing, the weight of “not enough” starts to lift.
I have lofty goals for this year. I run multiple businesses, and I have goals for each one. Write more. Build the school. Publish more client books. The list could be endless.
But what is “enough” for me?
I want to find time to write and enjoy writing the stories I love, whether that means finishing them or not.
In my other businesses, I want to maintain the pace I have now. If I can grow them, great. But if they just continue as they are, that is “enough.”
Step 2: One Small Change at a Time
If you’ve ever tried to overhaul your entire writing routine in one go, you know how that usually ends—burnout and frustration.
Instead of aiming for a total reset, focus on one small shift at a time.
- Want to write more? Instead of setting a massive word count goal, start with 10 minutes a day. Or if a daily goal is too much, schedule a special time once a week to let your writer self come out to play.
- Feeling stuck on social media? Choose one platform you actually enjoy and let the rest go. When I talk to writers struggling with social media, I often find they’re trying to be some place they don’t want to be. You don’t HAVE to be anywhere. People are attracted to those who are having fun. If you aren’t having fun, you won’t succeed there anyway. So give yourself permission to be somewhere else.
- Struggling with marketing? Set aside one day a month to batch your content instead of trying to keep up daily. I have found this one particularly helpful.
Small changes lead to lasting habits. And lasting habits lead to progress that sticks.
Step 3: Set a Low-Stress Writing Rhythm
Somewhere along the way, we picked up the idea that “real” writers write every day and churn out books at lightning speed. That might work for some, but for many of us, it just leads to guilt. And—shock—guilt does not lead to productivity! Instead, it drains away our energy, which leaves us tired… and feeds the guilt monster.
Here’s the reality:
- Not every season is a high-output season. And that’s okay.
- Writing more doesn’t mean writing faster. Slow, steady progress still gets you to the finish line.
- Your best writing rhythm is the one that fits your life.
Maybe you write best in morning sprints. Maybe weekends are your time. Or maybe you need to embrace short bursts rather than marathon sessions.
Whatever it is, own it—without guilt.
I’ve coached writers dealing with huge life crises. The guilt they pile on themselves for things completely outside their control is stunning. They’d never criticize another writer for not writing during a disaster, but they DO criticize themselves.
Give yourself even more grace than you’d give your best writing friend.
If you’re going through something—and aren’t we all?—reward yourself with some writing play time. And then look at those words with joy.
Step 4: Build a “Stress-Free Writing Toolkit”
We often think of writing as just putting words on the page, but the environment we create around our writing matters just as much.
A stress-free writing toolkit can help you stay grounded and keep creativity flowing. Some ideas:
- A writing playlist that signals “it’s time to focus.” I have a few of them for different stories and moods.
- A designated writing space—even if it’s just a favorite chair. Or maybe a change of place. Going to a coffee shop, a beach, or a park can give you a sense of freedom and adventure.
- A list of “easy” writing tasks (brainstorming, outlining) for days when drafting or editing feels impossible.
- A low-pressure accountability group (or just a good bestie) where the goal is progress, not perfection.
Writing doesn’t have to feel like a constant uphill battle. Set yourself up for success by making it easier to start.
Let’s Make This Year About Sustainable Success
This year, let’s trade stress for sustainability. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor, and writing more doesn’t mean sacrificing everything else.
Here’s to more words, less stress, and a successful writing year.
What’s one small, low-stress change you’re making this year? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear your plan.
* * * * * *
About Lisa
Lisa Norman's passion has been writing since she could hold a pencil. While that is a cliché, she is unique in that her first novel was written on gum wrappers. As a young woman, she learned to program and discovered she has a talent for helping people and computers learn to work together and play nice. When she's not playing with her daughter, writing, or designing for the web, she can be found wandering the local beaches.
Lisa writes as Deleyna Marr and is the owner of No Stress Writing Academy. She also runs Heart Ally Books, LLC, an indie publishing firm.
Interested in learning more from Lisa? Sign up for her newsletter or check out her school, No Stress Writing Academy, where she teaches social media, organization, technical skills, and marketing for authors!
Top image from depositphotos.
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24 comments on “Less Stress, More Words: A No-Burnout Plan for Writers”
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Thank you for such a sensible post, Lisa.
We're very bad at giving ourselves space, I think. Like you said, we feel guilty.
We are constantly told to 'write every day.' I think this bald statement is detrimental to new writers.
I know when I started, I took it to mean, 'Work on your writing project every day.'Then a sensible person pointed out that replying to emails, writing a blog post or even journaling is writing. (Similarly 'write what you know.'
These bald statements lead to the guilt feeling you are talking about.
That's it exactly, VM! When I'm working with writers and teaching, I see all too much of that creativity destroying guilt!
Banishing that seems to be empowering.
Great post. One thing I've learned as a writer is to define for myself what success looks like. To have actually published two books, with a third almost done adds up to success for me. I have a small following of readers who love my stories, and I also have a small author group who supports each other. Because of this group, I have been able to offer a Literary Luncheon Series in the community, and I have built in Beta Readers as well as a wonderful support system. Each year I become more known in the community, and I do more venues than ever before. Small steps.
That is beautiful success, Gillian! Congratulations.
I don’t typically make NY resolutions but this year I resolved to keep my desk tidy. That always puts me in a productive mood. Note to self: your desk is getting messy. Straighten it.
Also, adding marketing and publishing to my author life has forced me to let go of my former self-imposed deadlines to finish books, or at least push them out further. Marketing isn’t good or bad for me, it’s just a different sort of task than writing. At the moment, I’m still figuring out a new how-to to get it all accomplished, WITHOUT the burnout.
Hugs, Victoria. You've done amazing work with a book that is going to delight people. What I find so interesting about deadlines - at least for me - is that when I look back, I see the thing, not the stress that I went through to get there. So for me, skipping the stress and still doing the THING... that's been powerful. If that makes sense?
Excellent advice, Lisa. I've worked outside of writing most of my life and have had to fit writing in assorted cracks of time I had. Now retired, I feel the pressure of I have to do it all at once. The gap between what I want and what is enough is ginormous. Sustainability is what I really want...SIGH. I just need repeated reminders of that. Thanks. I needed that.
Sustainability is such a huge piece of this, Lynette. Let's keep reminding each other of that!
This article really resonated with me. I have been facing burn out on so many levels and every time I try to get back to my old writing routine, it seems overwhelming. I think it is time to find my new normal and be happy with it, and stop chasing what others are doing or feeling like I am not doing enough. Words one the page, whether it's 50 or 5,000 are words on the page!
Absolutely, Jenn! And who is to say that the new normal won't eventually wind up being BETTER than the old one!
Hear- hear!!!
I like to motivate myself with a favorite snack after I complete a certain amount of my goal. Sometimes that is enough to get the writing party started. 🙂
Setting manageable writing goals (word count per week) is another way I try to stay on target. It makes it a game for me and it is a satisfying item on my checklist to cross off, 'xyz word count - complete!'
Those are great ideas, Kris! And it shows in your productivity!
This is a great reminder, Lisa. Thanks for sharing. I've had a difficult few years, which has affected my writing output. This post makes me feel better about it.
Hugs, Natalie. Those years can be so rough on our creativity! Have been through some places like that and it is important to remember that we can find our way back. May you have better years!
SUCH an important message for writers! Every day. We beat ourselves up. I don't know why. We feel guilty. We worry. We obsess.
I think it's so important that you wrote this. I think most of us feel this on a visceral level.
I gave up procrastination for Lent, so we'll see what that does for me.
But something interesting I've found is that when I don't want to do something, especially something I love as much as writing, it is because that day's task is too big for my special little ADD brain.
So, if I've said, "I'll write the next chapter," I need to change that to "a scene. "
Or a page. Or a sentence. Or sometimes a 10 minute brainstorming session.
When it is small enough to inspire creativity, I will do it. And since creativity begets creativity, I'll then start on the next thing that I can envision. Then the next.
Exactly, Jenny! Great pointers!
Great article.
I love these practical tips, thanks.
Thanks, Sandy! We all need to remember to be kind to ourselves!
I have heavily bought into the statement if you're not writing you can't call yourself a writer--and that writing has to be working on something substantial. Buying in has led to health issues. Thank you for this article, Deleyna and for generating this discussion.
Oh, Leanne. I feel those health issues. I've lived that. I was ... fortunate? ... that at a very young age, my body began to react to the stress. I had a doctor sit me down and explain that if I wanted to live to be 21, I needed to make some drastic changes in how I chose to live. My life has been a constant push/pull between my inherent type A personality and my body that simply will not deal with that sort of behavior.
There is so much "thou shalt" type of advice in the writing community!!! And yet, I often find that the best writing comes from those who take time to find their process and learn to enjoy and respect their creativity.
You ARE a writer. Don't let anyone tell you that if you don't hit a specific word goal, you aren't.
Perhaps a better definition of writer would be "person who hears voices in their head and who technically is not insane" -- or some better written variation of that. Because writers write even on days when the pen doesn't touch paper. The stories swirl in our minds. We see someone on the street and we don't see them like other people... we see stories! We dream stories, we get lost in a cup of coffee with our brains in other worlds, other times.
I pray your health issues improve and you see the joy that is your creativity!
And know that you are NOT alone!
What do I say that others haven't already? This is great, and I appreciate it. Also, 😣 I'm going to have to think about what my "enough" is.
Your enough, Ami, may just be rocking a new book launch and developing a smooth plan for book 3! Some people push themselves harder than others. LOL
Thank you!