Spending a lot of time thinking about things I write

Post Reply New Topic

I find that when I have to write stuff, like doing assignments at uni, writing emails etc I take a lot of time as I (over?)think everything I write. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and check things like my wording, whether I've expressed myself in the best way, etc. Sometimes I just sit there for a long time thinking about what to write or how to express it. Whilst I don't want to make mistakes sometimes I wish I could work a bit faster so I don't have to spend so much time doing things involving writing. Anyone else have this?

This even applies to making posts on this forum lol, if I could write quicker I'd be able to make more posts for a given amount of time spent on here (not that I want a really high post count or something, just so I can write each post and move on to another topic in another thread quickly). I timed writing this post and it's taken me about 10 mins.

_________________
A smile costs nothing

me 2

Yes, I over think things constantly. I over think everything

I can fully relate to you on that though I still make mistakes sometimes. It also applies to many other things, not just writing. Whatever I do, I'm slow. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the amount of things that I have to do because I know I'll spend a lot of time on each one of them. And I feel the same - I sometimes wish I could work faster, whether it's producing some document or just posting to a forum.

I am terrible about this. I post on forums a lot and it is not unusual for me to to spend an hour making a post which I consider particularly important. I preview and edit my posts many times and if I catch a typo after I've posted it I am mortified and have to edit it quickly.

I do make shorter posts occasionally, but when I have something to say it is usually a substantial piece of input which is carefully described and thought through. I am extremely conscientious about grammar and spelling, but also about explaining things clearly and meaningfully, and about dealing with subjects kindly and sensitively and not offending anyone with anything I say. I feel like I have to go over and over posts until I have eliminated anything which could possibly interfere with any of these objectives.

Of course, that makes it rather disappointing when no one responds to my posts! If I've put time into one, I like to think that some people gained something from my input even if they don't respond directly.

I do do the same thing with emails, though I rarely use emails, so it's less of an issue. It was equally bad when I was in education and had to complete essays and reports, however. Unfortunately I don't really have a solution to offer you, as I still do this myself! If you find one, let me know.

When I was a student, I found it helpful to approach writing in one of two ways:

1) In terms of 'First Draft', 'Second Draft', 'Third Draft' etc. If it's only a draft, it matters less whether it's perfect or not. Spread yourself thin and wide, and go deeper and deeper with each iteration, or draft.

2) In terms of a skeleton structure. Start out with a skeleton of bullet points, consisting of one or two words per point. Then iterate through in stages, adding the muscles and the flesh. It's pretty hard to be too perfectionist too soon using this method.

I do it too, if I try to rush or condense my thoughts my post are unreadable and not understandable. I Wish I could write better, very frusterating to be like this.

I spend quite a bit of time writing posts, and then I often don't post them.

I do think a lot about things I write. I read over it many times. I think it takes me about fifteen minutes to send one short email.

I'm dyslexic, so my whole life I've been rereading, rethinking and reinterpreting what I write.
All that practice, oh it just kills me so sweetly