by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed.D. @khutch0767
Living and writing in a suburb of Jacksonville, Florida, close to the beach, is a blessing. The sound of waves in the distance, salty breezes, and glowing sunsets can feel like daily reminders of God’s creativity. Yet even in beautiful surroundings, discouragement can still roll in like an unexpected tide.
Writers know this feeling well. Some days, the words refuse to come. Some days, life feels heavy, and even the simplest task feels like climbing a sand dune in flip-flops. During those seasons, intentional actions can help shift your mood and reconnect you to both your creativity and your faith.
Over the years, I have found practical ways to push back against discouragement. Some are serious. Some are surprisingly fun. And some involve animals that I am fairly certain believe they own me and my property.
Here are ten practical ways to combat discouragement and rediscover joy, even on hard days.
There is something refreshing about talking with someone younger or older than you. Children can make you laugh when you least expect it. Older adults often share wisdom that steadies your perspective. A conversation with someone from another generation can loosen the grip of discouragement and remind you that seasons change.
Let me be honest. What began as adding a pet turned into welcoming Archie, a one-hundred-pound German Shepherd who believes he’s the head of the household. He watches everything, patrols the yard like a security officer, and is convinced he understands every conversation. I’m certain he thinks the house belongs to him and we’re just around to pay the bills. Still, his loyalty and presence bring comfort. Animals have a way of offering companionship without demanding explanations.
When Discouragement Rolls In Like the Tide: Faith-Filled Ways to Lift Your Spirit and Keep Writing by @khutch0767 on @BRMCWC #Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC Share on XTry painting, gardening, baking, or learning a musical instrument. It is perfectly acceptable to be terrible at first. The joy comes from engaging your mind in something different. Writing often improves when your brain has room to play.
Sometimes a subtle outward change helps reset your mood. A new hairstyle, a different color, fresh braids, or a different way of styling your hair can make you feel renewed. It sounds insignificant, but it can signal to your mind that something fresh is beginning.
You don’t need a full closet makeover. One new outfit or accessory can lift your mood. Think of it as dressing with expectation, as if you are preparing to step into something hopeful.
Explore a nearby beach, bookstore, or park. Living close to the coast offers plenty of adventures. Watching waves crash or walking along the shoreline can clear your mind and spark fresh ideas. Sometimes inspiration hides in places you pass every day.
Step outside, even if only for ten minutes. Sit quietly and listen. In my case, this often turns into greeting the animals that visit the preserve we live in. Somewhere along the way, I began naming most of them. There’s a squirrel named Buddy who acts like he owns the fence line, Bandit, a bold raccoon who shows up as if he has an appointment, and a flock of birds who gather like they’re hosting their own committee meetings. Watching them reminds me God cares for even the tiniest creatures, and somehow that truth steadies my heart.
Say yes to something unfamiliar. Attend a new gathering. Try a new class. Visit a place you’ve never explored. Growth often begins with taking steps into the unknown.
Serving others shifts your focus outward. Helping at a local pantry, church event, or community project reminds you that your presence matters. Writers especially benefit from stepping outside their own thoughts and into meaningful service.
Stretch, walk, or dance in your kitchen. Movement doesn’t have to be complicated. It simply needs to happen. Even a short walk around the block, along a mountain trail, or on the beach can help relieve mental heaviness.
Discouragement doesn’t mean failure. It means you are human. Even near the calming rhythm of ocean waves, emotions can rise unexpectedly. The key is to take tiny steps forward.
You don’t have to try all of these ideas at once. Choose one. Start there. Celebrate your progress.
Most importantly, stay connected to your faith. Spend time in prayer. Open Scripture. Allow God to steady your heart when the words refuse to come. Writing is not only about discipline. It’s about perseverance, trust, and sometimes a little humor when your oversized German Shepherd stares at you like he is waiting to approve your next paragraph.
Keep writing. Keep praying. Keep looking for the minute joys hidden in ordinary days. Even the backyard visitors and the rhythm of the nearby ocean seem to whisper the same message—keep going, one step at a time.
Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups and delivering messages with a quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.”
The Conversation
Thank you for this practical and doable list. And for the reminder to explore creativity outside the written word. God values variety. A look at creation confirms that. Variety in our lives enriches us and cheers our spirit.