The "More" Trap: Finding Your Sweet Spot as an Indie Author

Picture this: It's 3 AM, you're on your fourth cup of coffee, juggling a manuscript edit while scheduling social media posts and researching audiobook narrators. Sound familiar? As indie authors, we've all been there – caught in the whirlwind of trying to do it all.

I recently hit a wall trying to be everywhere and do everything. That's when it hit me: the pressure to constantly do "more" wasn't making me a better author – it was draining the very creativity that made me want to write in the first place.

Let's get real about why pumping the brakes might be the best decision you'll make for your author career:

First, let's talk about your books – your actual babies. When was the last time you felt truly excited about a story you were writing? Not just meeting a deadline, but really feeling that magic? Quality isn't just about perfect grammar or plot structure – it's about pouring your heart into every page. One book that keeps readers up all night is worth more than ten that make them check their watch.

Here's the thing about burnout: it doesn't knock politely and wait for an invitation. It sneaks up while you're pushing through "just one more" marketing task or "one more" chapter. Before you know it, the words that used to flow freely feel like pulling teeth.

Want to know what successful indie authors often do differently? They don't try to be everywhere – they choose to be somewhere. Maybe they rock Instagram but skip Twitter entirely. Perhaps they focus on building an amazing newsletter instead of spreading themselves thin across five different platforms.

Think of your author career like tending a garden, not running a factory. Growth takes time, and forcing it usually backfires. The most beautiful gardens need periods of rest and regeneration – and so do you.

Remember why you started writing in the first place. Was it to check boxes off a never-ending to-do list, or was it to create stories that move people? To build worlds that readers can get lost in?

So here's my challenge to you: This week, try doing less – but better. Pick one thing that brings you joy in your author journey and give it your full attention. Maybe it's drafting that scene that's been playing in your mind, or engaging deeply with your reader community about a character they love.

Because at the end of the day, your best work comes not from doing everything, but from doing the right things – the things that light you up and keep your creative spirit alive.

What's one thing you could let go of this week to make space for what truly matters in your author journey?