Let’s be real: writing something new every single day is hard. Especially when you do this in parallel to a 9-5.
Yes, even with all the fancy templates we have on Typeshare.
Yes, even after absorbing all the golden frameworks from Ship30.
And yes, even when ChatGPT is just a tab away, ready to spit out ideas like it’s fuelled by Red Bull.

Still… some days, the inspiration tank is running on fumes.

I have days when an article idea hits me before I’ve even finished brushing my teeth. Boom. Done.
And then I have those days… where I stare at the blinking cursor for two hours, contemplate the meaning of life, and end up posting a quote I found on Pinterest because—hey—it resonated.

But luckily I’ve found a few ways to trick my brain into creative mode.

Reject the pressure to be a content machine

I will start by saying that there is nothing worse for your creativity than pressuring yourself to follow a strict publishing calendar.

Yea, I get the whole thing about being consistent and showing up but I feel better when I write a good article from time to time than regular half-assed articles, just for the sake of being consistent.

Be honest: do you remember your favourite authors’ publishing times?

Do you notice when someone skips a day?

I don’t and I bet you don’t either.

So stop putting pressure on yourself, skip a day if your brain is begging you for a break. I skipped 3 weeks of Substack newsletters and did not feel an ounce of guilt. Guess what? No one came to scold me for my lack of consistency and surprisingly, no one un-subscribed either.

New environment, new ideas

I'll admit, my house can get quite messy at times. And let me tell you something: creativity doesn’t thrive next to a sink full of dishes or a chair that's been holding clothes that are too dirty to be put in the closet and too clean to be put into the laundry basket.

Even when your house is squeaky clean, sometimes looking at the same walls will not spark any new ideas.
So, go somewhere that inspires you. A coffee shop. A park. Your attic.
Yesterday, I wrote an entire post on my building’s rooftop—breezy air, no clutter, full inspiration mode unlocked.
Fresh air really does oxygenate the brain.

My favorite strategy: doubling down on what works

One system I keep coming back to:
I analyse my top-performing posts or Substack notes from previous months, then ask ChatGPT to generate similar themes or spins on the topic.
It’s like recycling your greatest hits.

Repurpose your old content

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—just give it a new coat of paint. Update your old posts, add fresh perspective, or just repost a classic. Nobody remembers what you wrote 3 months ago, I promise.

Break down your most successful posts

Turn one article into five bite-sized atomic essays or threads. Stretch that content like it’s pizza dough—thin, wide, and still informationally nutritious.

Read within your niche (then remix)

Take a popular idea, and then add your voice, your story, or your spice.

No one is reinventing the wheel—we all build on each other's knowledge. Just don't forget to cite where credit’s due.

Final Thoughts

Some days, my writing flows like champagne.

Other days, it’s more like scraping peanut butter out of an empty jar.

But that’s the nature of creativity.

So the next time your idea tank’s flashing “low fuel,” don’t panic. Try one of these ideas, take a breath, and maybe go write on a rooftop.

Or don’t write at all.

Because silence can be productive too. The brain works wonders when it's rested.

Let me know: What’s your go-to move when inspiration disappears?

Creative Burnout? Here's some Creative Hacks from the Trenches

Let’s be real: writing something new every single day is hard. Especially when you do this in parall

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