The passage of time is something we can’t control. But as deadlines approach and major events come and go, the anxiety felt as time zips by can be overwhelming and persistent. This is a term colloquially known as Time Anxiety.
I’ve seen this anxiety in a lot of writers, including myself. Besides the seemingly ever-present deadlines surrounding us, it’s hard to focus on our writing goals when we feel like our time is slipping through our fingers. We worry that we’ll run out of it before we can accomplish everything we mean to, and that, ultimately, our writing careers will suffer for it, or even never get off the ground.
However, there is a way to combat this anxiety and get back to writing. Here are four things to remember when time anxiety starts getting to you.
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Writers Can Start “Late”
Not every writer launches their career at the tender age of twenty-one. Sure, it’s considered a big deal in the industry when that happens. However, most writers find that same level of success later, and sometimes after writing several books or incurring plenty of rejection letters along the way. For reference, check out these writers who didn’t start writing or publishing until later in life.
1. Toni Morrison’s first book, The Bluest Eye, was published when she was 40
2. J. R. R. Tolkien didn’t publish anything until he was 45
3. Bram Stoker wrote and published Dracula at 50
4. Laura Ingalls Wilder started writing in her late 40s but didn’t publish anything until she was 65
This information isn’t so that you compare yourself to other writers or give you a big head that you started writing at an earlier age. That’s a negative mindset that only holds you back. Instead, remember that not automatically finding success in your early 20s doesn’t mean you are destined to fail as a writer. Additionally, remember that starting to write at a later age doesn’t mean you don’t have the talent to “make it” the same way younger people did. Just because your writing career doesn’t launch early doesn’t mean it won’t take off at all.
So when you feel anxious about running out of time, remember that writing is for life. If you don’t publish your novel by 25, it’s not the end of the world. If anything, continuously practicing for several years before publishing your first book gives you plenty of time to craft good writing techniques and acquire the proper skills. Don’t rush success! Take your time and leave the anxiety that comes with it at the door.
Just because your writing career doesn’t launch early doesn’t mean it won’t take off at all.
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Your Best Writing Might Come Later
Time anxiety makes us want to accomplish our goals as soon as possible. But the truth is that writing takes years, even decades, to understand. Because of this, writers may publish a book that might be good, but their books after that get better and better over time. If you try to publish before you’re ready, that will only lead to more problems.
So remember the following:
1. Time allows you to improve. Many writers start writing other books when they’re younger, then move on to bigger and better stories, leaving their old works unpublished, as they improve their craft. They wouldn’t have benefited from this process if they ignored the process altogether.
2. It’s not all or nothing. Time anxiety can make it feel like you must complete your goal or risk losing everything. But that’s not true. You aren’t going to do everything perfectly as you continue on your path. When you make mistakes, learn from them and owe them. Then take the time to understand how you can improve so that, when you’re ready, all your hard work pays off.
Every Writer Is on A Different Path
Yes, we say this a lot as writers, but it’s hard to remember it sometimes. We fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to those around us. However, this comparison can take a larger and even more debilitating turn: we compare ourselves to the writers we want to be.
Whether this be an actual author or the person we imagine ourselves as in the distant future, we look at their talents and skills and believe we aren’t good enough. And as the days pass, the anxiety that we won’t have time to reach that level of skill and talent weighs down on us. This derails us from the beginning because we shouldn’t be comparing ourselves to others at all. Now the anxiety has us in its clutches and we can’t move forward.
So here are some things to remember:
1. These writers took their time. Yes, some writers have published early and found some success. But most writers reach their goals by taking years to practice their craft. Some of their works even took years, or even decades to complete. When they completed their books, the past years perfected their story. So don’t fret about the months passing. As you write, your writing improves. If you rush your work, you won’t be ready.
2. You waste no time when you write. On the other hand, wallowing in negative emotions wastes everything. As long as you’re editing, writing, rewriting, outlining, or brainstorming, you’re moving in the right direction and you’re getting closer to your goal.
You Have Your Entire Life
Just to remind you one more time: writing is a life-long adventure. It’s great to have writing goals, but don’t compare yourself to writers who may have accomplished more at a younger age. Our talents don’t wane as we get older. Instead, our craft and skill grow. You have your entire life ahead of you to create, explore, and tell stories. We might want to accomplish our goals as soon as possible but remember that there’s no age cap on completing those goals.
Ernest Hemingway once said, “We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” So to get better at writing, get selfish with your time and goals. Leave the anxiety behind and take all the time you need.
Happy writing!
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