Over the years, I’ve talked to a lot of people who insist they want to write a book, a blog post, a devotional, a prophetic rant, or something vaguely inspirational to just post on Facebook — but apparently, they just “don’t have time.”
Time.
As though writing requires booking a monastery retreat and shaving your head before God allows words to flow.
People talk about time like it’s a mythological creature they’ve only heard rumors about:
“I’d totally write if I could just find the time.”
Find it?
Where?
Behind the couch with all the lost socks and TV remotes?
Hidden under that pile of laundry that’s been “almost folded” for three weeks?
Meanwhile, the same people binge an entire Netflix season in one night like it’s an Olympic event.
But sure… writing is impossible because time simply doesn’t exist for them.
Let’s Just Call This What It Is
Not having time is the respectable excuse.
It’s the one that sounds grown-up.
“I don’t have time” sounds better than the truth:
“I’m terrified to start.”
“I don’t know if what I have to say matters.”
“I’m afraid the blank page will expose me as a fraud.”
Time is not the enemy.
Fear is.
And fear is craftier than any Greek participle or semicolon could ever dream of being.
If Time Were Really the Problem…
If time were the actual barrier, humanity would’ve stopped producing TikToks, reaction videos, and conspiracy threads at 2 a.m. a long time ago.
But somehow we always find time to:
- Scroll endlessly
- Watch “one more episode”
- Look up whether the moon landing was faked
- Deep-dive on a stranger’s Instagram profile
- Research air fryers for an hour
- Correct people on the internet who are wrong (which is everyone but me)
Yet writing?
Oh no, sorry.
No time for that. My schedule is booked solid with procrastination and existential dread.
The Real Problem Pulls Up a Chair: Imposter Syndrome
People tell me, “Steve, I want to write, but I’m just so busy.”
Busy?
Friend, when someone really wants to write, they’ll scribble notes on napkins, receipts, and the back of their kid’s homework if they have to.
But when fear shows up — suddenly the whole universe rearranges itself so you have zero time.
Amazing how that works.
Because the truth is:
- The blank page is scary.
- Your own voice is intimidating.
- Starting makes you feel exposed.
- Writing feels like you’re signing up for everyone to judge you.
And heaven forbid you write something terrible.
(You will. It’s called a first draft. Everyone survives it.)
The Blank Page Is Not Demanding a Sacred Time Slot
People treat the blank page like it’s some sacred relic that requires ideal conditions:
“My office needs to be spotless.”
“I need total quiet.”
“I need a full pot of coffee.”
“I need the stars to align in the northern sky or a full moon during equinox.”
Look — the blank page does not care if you’re writing in a noisy kitchen while eating leftover tacos. The blank page is neutral. Unbothered. Patiently waiting for you to stop pretending you need a sabbatical before typing a sentence.
Time Isn’t the Issue: Priorities Are
You always have time for what you make time for.
Even if it’s five minutes.
Even if it’s one paragraph a day.
Even if it’s 100 sloppy, chaotic words that look like they were written during a caffeine overdose.
Writing is not about having time.
It’s about showing up — consistently — even when you feel like an imposter.
You Don’t Need a Time Miracle — You Need Momentum
Write a little today.
More tomorrow.
A tiny bit the next day.
You can fix bad writing.
You can refine messy ideas.
You can edit a clumsy paragraph.
But you can’t edit the book you never wrote because you were too busy telling yourself time was the issue.
Final Thought
God is not withholding creativity just because you didn’t block off a three-hour window of uninterrupted silence. You won’t get smitten for writing a paragraph on your phone while sitting in a grocery store parking lot.
You don’t need perfect circumstances.
You don’t need more time.
You don’t need your life to magically calm down.
You just need to start.
Because the blank page isn’t the enemy.
The “I don’t have time” excuse is just Imposter Syndrome in a cheap disguise.
If this hit a nerve and you’re tired of pretending “no time” is the issue, send me a message and reach out to me. I help people like you start writing when everything in their life says they can’t.
Let’s get you unstuck.
In the meantime, here’s a podcast with fellow author and Canadian Sebastien Richard where we covered the scribe annointing and being obedient to the Lord’s prompting to write.
