What if I can't get started?

Episode Description:

In this episode of What If? For Authors, Claire unpacks the hidden dynamics behind creative inertia. She explores why we freeze at the starting line, how to tell if it’s a sign of fear, exhaustion, or wisdom, and what to do when you can’t seem to move forward—no matter how hard you try.

You’ll learn how to distinguish between procrastination and protection, why shame and “tough love” don’t actually help, and how to use curiosity and compassion to get yourself unstuck. With insight from the Enneagram, Claire also explores how each type experiences this resistance differently—and how you can build gentle, practical structures to help yourself begin again.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why struggling to start isn’t laziness—it’s information

• How to tell if your resistance is a pattern or a novelty, and why that matters

• What “body doubling” is, and how it can help Enneagram Nines build momentum

• How each Enneagram type tends to resist getting started (and what to do about it)

• Why friction can be a good sign for naturally fast starters

• How to check whether your resistance is fear, intuition, or simply exhaustion

• A powerful exercise to check in with your head, heart, and body centers before beginning

• What it really means to act courageously—even when the fear doesn’t go away

Takeaway Challenge:
Next time you can’t seem to get started, pause the shame spiral and turn to curiosity. Ask: Is this fear? Fatigue? A sign to pause? Then, listen to what your head, heart, and body have to say. If it’s still something worth doing, plan for courage—don’t wait for the fear to disappear first.

Support the Show:

If this episode helped you see your resistance in a new light, please share it with another author who might need to hear it too. You can also support What If For Authors by leaving a review wherever you listen—it helps more writers find the show.

Want to explore these ideas more deeply? Visit liberatedwriter.com for Claire’s courses, coaching, and books on building a sustainable author career in uncertain times.

Access the transcript here.

Happy writing!