We’re officially in the thick of summer. The novelty of June has worn off, July is dragging its humid feet, and the shimmer of all my creative ideas is fading. If you’re anything like me, the words are harder to find, and the distractions (mid-afternoon naps, last-minute travel, and grilled fresh veggies) are louder than ever. I call this time my Midsummer Writing Slump, an uninvited guest who shows up somewhere between holiday fireworks and back-to-school ads. A guest I am desperate to evict before all my story ideas disappear.
But don’t worry, if you suffer from midsummer slump like I do, this isn’t a sign that your writing muse has packed up and left for the season. Slumps like this are natural. We’ve hit the midpoint of the year when our creative projects feels like quicksand. While I try to fight this slump by celebrating Summerween (IYKYK), I have some other ideas about how to survive—and even thrive—during this slower, hotter, sometimes messier creative stretch. The reason I really pay attention to my slumps is that I know if I don’t slow down and care for my creative self now, burnout is not far behind.
Midsummer Writing Slumps
☀️ Why the Summer Slump Happens
- Disrupted Routines – Kids are home, travel plans are constant, and normal schedules are tossed out the window.
- Mental Burnout – You’ve been pushing hard all year. Maybe you hit deadlines earlier in the year or tackled big goals in spring. Our brains, and emotions, need a break but deadlines loom.
- Midpoint Fatigue – You’ve started your book or creative project strong, but the middle is always a challenge. Summer often amplifies that frustration.
🌿 Ways to Reclaim Your Creative Flow
1. Embrace Micro-Writing Sessions
Forget the 2,000-word marathons. Instead, aim for 10–15 minutes a day. A paragraph here, a bit of dialogue there all add up. Think of it as “creative hydration” during the dry season.
2. Change Your Scenery
Write outside. Journal at a café. Write or dictate notes on your phone during a walk. Even if it’s hot, a change in location can revive your focus.
3. Use Summer’s Sensory Details
If you’re struggling with plot, write a scene dripping with summer. Include the feel of humid air on skin, the sting of sunburn, the taste of peaches. Let the season inspire your setting and mood.
4. Try a Side Project
Sometimes a break from your “main” project helps. Sketch out a short story idea, revisit an old idea with no pressure, or even outline a blog post (like this one!). That’s why I love writing for anthologies. They give me permission to write in another series that doesn’t have the same kinds of deadlines as my traditional work.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Rest
Seriously. If your creativity is whispering instead of shouting, listen. Rest is not laziness. Rest is necessary for long-term productivity.
🔥 You’re Not Alone
The midsummer slump affects writers at all stages. It doesn’t mean you’re not dedicated, talented, or hardworking. It means you’re human, and this season, like any other, brings its own rhythm. Lean into that rhythm, whether it looks like writing 500 words or just imagining a character on your morning walk.
✨ A Creative Check-In
Grab a notebook, your favorite beverage, and answer these questions. What has surprised you creatively so far this year? What goals still light you up when you think about them? What small steps can you take in July and August that will set you up for a strong fall?
