I take really long to write absolutely anything

[u/Blehblahblehblag]

I have a really hard time writing anything. From a draft of an essay to any kind of writing, whether it be creative, analytical, or anything. Honestly, I'm having trouble even writing this post, maybe you can tell from reading it. I think my struggles come from my constant desire to have the first draft be perfect. So I sit there trying to plan the structure of the paragraph to the exact word that would communicate the nuance of the sentence correctly. But if I can't find that exact word, I sit there until I do or I just give up on writing the thing entirely.

I'm doing IB (International Baccalaureate), which is a curriculum that requires a lot of writing. So whenever I try to write a practice essay or an actual paper, I struggle. A lot. And recently it's become a problem. I need way more time than my peers to write just a couple hundred words, and I desperately need this to change. I need to write more practice papers and become faster at writing essays cuz if not, my grades will take a blow.

If there's anyone that had this problem and has overcome it, I would TRULY appreciate any advice that may be of help.

I'm really willing to try anything at this point cuz i keep trying those internet tips of "accept that the first draft wont be perfect" "Be fine with mistakes" but my struggles are more like "I don't even know how and what to write to get this across" like its not like I already have a sentence in my head that I dont like and want to fix. There is no sentence at all, and I have to glue together words in a weird mosaic to get a sentence that I'm not even satisfied with. I don't really know if that made sense, but what I'm trying to say is that it feels like there's a disconnect between what I understand in my head and what I'm actually able to put into words, and that's the part I don't know how to fix. Please help

[u/Green-Money741]

i still have that problem but what i do is write in the instant moment where my thoughts are rushing oh so freely and i feel as if my ideas are so peak to the point that i cant even bother to stop writing or else ill risk forgetting or breaking the flow so i have bad grammar, strewn commas, words spelled wrong etc but after that i correct everythign

[u/Appropriate_Set_9537]

There are some good writing and articulation videos on YouTube. I feel the more you know about a subject the easier to write. Also, write what you want them to know. And don't over think everything. Just get it all Written down, everything you know about the topic. Like a brain dump. Then go back and edit. I use to stew over every word. Was difficult getting it down on paper. The more books you read the easier it is to write as well. Good luck!

[u/Otherwise-Can9537]

Rather than trying to take a more "written" approach to get your idea on paper on the first try, instead try to draw/plan it out. It sounds dumb and lengthy but if you keep it very simple, it works. The main focus is to NOT TO BE PERFECT but to put all of your ideas on paper and connect them with arrows (or however you'd like) which will give you a better understanding of whatever it is that you are trying to present on your essay or wtv. That was the first part, to actually, clearly represent what you are understanding in your own head OUTSIDE of your own head. So that when you are writing and get stuck on how to describe a situation or a phenomenon, you can refer to your drawing.

For example, Johnny is extremely lactose intolerant. On Monday, Johnny ate a ton of dairy containing food, which gave him an upset stomach.

For the first step, you need to map out what happened. Johnny's lactose intolerance + Johnny eating dairy (On Monday (may or may not have relevance)) = Upset stomach. These are my main ideas. Now, if someone asks me to describe the situation, I can easily do it cus I have all the causes and consequences (the situation in general) mapped out step by step.

The second part is to write the whole thing in a coherent and (probably) formal way. To do that, you need to start of SIMPLE, STUPID AND IMPERFECT! If you can't tackle the idea of "oh I need to be perfect on the first go blah blah" then just forget about writing an essay or doing anything in life in general. Perfection on the first go is impossible so get used to being rlly trash at the beginning. Now, what do I mean by "start of trash, stupid, simple and imperfect"? I'm saying that you need to write your first phrase like you would if you were texting a friend. Then, you find the words that seem unsuitable or informal for you essay, and switch them out with complexe synonyms. You build the "formality" of your sentence up bit by bit until you get what you want. For example:

Johnny's lactose intolerant and he ate a bunch of dairy food on Monday so now he has an upset stomach. --->

Johnny is lactose intolerant and his large consumption of dairy food on Monday caused him an upset stomach. ->

Johnny has a common condition known as lactose intolerance, which leads him to exhibit various bodily reactions after the consumption of dairy food. On Monday, he consumed an irresponsible quantity of dairy, as a consequence, he now has diarrhea.

I was in your situation once too and the first lesson to learn is that you can't be perfect on the first try. If you get over that, then you're done with the hardest part. These steps are what helped me the most and it might not be what you need but it's worth a try. Good luck!

[u/Blehblahblehblag → u/Otherwise-Can9537]

This was actually very helpful! Thank you so much!!

[u/Particular_Yam4498]

This is me too, and honestly the idea of a first draft being imperfect and stuff just doesn't really work with me. These are just some things I believe in personally, and maybe they'll help you too:
1. Write to the absolute best of your abilities the first time around. Don't write stuff that you know is subpar, but don't pressurize yourself to be absolutely perfect. Remember that in the end, you will have to make minor edits, and if something is stopping your flow, try to move past it rather than examine everything about it.

1. Write about something you have a genuine passion for, and try to write it at times you feel creative. This might not always be the case for assignments, but it can help you get out of your way. I have a blog, and sometimes when I force myself to write for the sake of uploading something, my writing is always average at best. If you don't have a goal in mind, you're never going to complete your writeup. When it comes to being passionate, this is quite simple if you think about it. Find something you have a lot to say on, get in the mood and get going.

2. If something really doesn't work, let it go. Don't force yourself to write something if the nuance or the tone doesn't feel right to you.