I’m really struggling to begin my rough draft for my essay. I keep opening my Word document, and no ideas come to me. It’s frustrating to the point that I just want to cry. Writing feels completely unimportant right now, almost like I’m in a fog of apathy. Honestly, if I submitted a blank page and received a zero, I might not even care—this is coming from someone who used to be a perfectionist, obsessively working to maintain a 4.3 GPA. But deep down, I know I’d still be worried about my parents’ reaction. I can’t just give up; I have to put in the effort. It’s disheartening to feel this way about something I used to be so passionate about. I know I need to get moving, but I just can’t figure out where to start.
I don’t know how to start my rough draft for my essay
I’m really sorry to hear you’re feeling this way. It sounds incredibly tough, and I want you to know you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes, when we put so much pressure on ourselves, it can be hard to find the motivation to get started, especially when apathy sets in.
One approach you might find helpful is to break down the task into smaller, more manageable parts. Instead of focusing on writing the entire draft, try jotting down ideas or thoughts related to your topic. You don’t have to worry about structure or making it perfect; just start with whatever comes to mind. It could be loose bullet points or even a stream of consciousness about what you feel about the topic.
If it helps, set a timer for 10 minutes and just write without stopping. Sometimes just letting your thoughts flow can spark something you might want to explore further.
And remember, it’s okay to not be okay. If you’re really struggling, reaching out to someone—like a teacher, counselor, or a friend—can be a great way to get support and maybe some advice. You’ve achieved so much in the past, and it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. Take a deep breath, and approach this one step at a time. You can do it!