--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When you write, don't say, \"I'm going to…" description: "\"When you write, don't say, \"I'm going to write a poem.\" That attitude will freeze you right away. Sit down with the least expectation of yourself; say,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/natalie-goldberg-1741_attitude_when-you-write-don-t-say-i-m-going-to-wr_2500693.png" --- # When you write, don't say, "I'm going to write a poem."… ![“When you write, don't say, "I'm going to write a poem." That attitude will freeze you right away. Sit down with the least expectation of yourself; say, "I am free to write the worst junk in the world."” quote by Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/natalie-goldberg-1741_attitude_when-you-write-don-t-say-i-m-going-to-wr_2500693.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/natalie-goldberg-1741_attitude_when-you-write-don-t-say-i-m-going-to-wr_2500693.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/natalie-goldberg-1741_attitude_when-you-write-don-t-say-i-m-going-to-wr_2500693.png) > “When you write, don't say, "I'm going to write a poem." That attitude will freeze you right away. Sit down with the least expectation of yourself; say, "I am free to write the worst junk in the world."” [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing with self‑imposed expectations creates anxiety; embracing freedom to produce imperfect work unlocks creativity. **In simple terms:** Let go of perfection, write freely. Key Takeaway Accept imperfection, start writing. Themes creativity self‑acceptance writing Mood reflective encouraging Type inspirational practical When to use this quote - journaling - poetry - first drafts - creative workshops Key Concepts mindfulness imperfection flow Questions to Reflect On - How does embracing “worst junk” change your writing process? - What fears arise when you let go of expectations? A Different Perspective Perfectionism can still hinder progress even with a relaxed mindset. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Expectations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expectations/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I am free to write the worst junk in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-am-free-to-write-the-worst-junk-in-the-world/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [If you're going to write, write one poem all your life, let nobody read it, and then burn it. This is very young thinking,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/if-you-re-going-to-write-write-one-poem-all-your-life-let-nobody-read/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [Bad poetry is caused by people who sit down and think, Now I am going to write a Poem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/bad-poetry-is-caused-by-people-who-sit-down-and-think-now-i-am-going/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [You become what you do. How and what you become depends on environmental influence so you become who you hang around. Raise the standard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twight/you-become-what-you-do-how-and-what-you-become-depends-on/) [Mark Twight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twight/) > [I think you have to have your own expectations of yourself and your own sense of purpose and your own intrinsic pleasure in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ruhl/i-think-you-have-to-have-your-own-expectations-of-yourself-and-your/) [Sarah Ruhl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ruhl/) > [You can NEVER rise higher than your expectations of yourself. Expect the BEST!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/you-can-never-rise-higher-than-your-expectations-of-yourself-expect/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [I can't stress enough how important it is to write bad songs. There's a lot of people who don't want to finish songs because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/i-can-t-stress-enough-how-important-it-is-to-write-bad-songs-there-s/) [John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/) > [I worked as hard to write the worst film of the year as I did to write the best film of the year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-helgeland/i-worked-as-hard-to-write-the-worst-film-of-the-year-as-i-did-to/) [Brian Helgeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-helgeland/) > [I hear people say they're going to write. I ask, when? They give me vague statements. Indefinite plans get dubious results. When we're concrete…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-hear-people-say-they-re-going-to-write-i-ask-when-they-give-me/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [A person sets out to write a poem for a variety of reasons: to win the heart of his beloved; to express his attitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-brodsky/a-person-sets-out-to-write-a-poem-for-a-variety-of-reasons-to-win-the/) [Joseph Brodsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-brodsky/) > [Weirdly, it's much easier to write a poem than a film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-key/weirdly-it-s-much-easier-to-write-a-poem-than-a-film/) [Tim Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-key/) > [“How to Write a Poem Catch the air around the butterfly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katerina-stoykova-klemer/how-to-write-a-poem-catch-the-air-around-the-butterfly/) [Katerina Stoykova Klemer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katerina-stoykova-klemer/) > [“I write because I die again and again at the hands of a world that cannot have me or make me fit. I write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-militello/i-write-because-i-die-again-and-again-at-the-hands-of-a-world-that/) Jennifer Militello > [If you're angry, you don't have to write a poem dealing with the cause of your anger. But it needs to be an angry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/if-you-re-angry-you-don-t-have-to-write-a-poem-dealing-with-the-cause/) [Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/) > [“To write a poem...to paint an image on canvass from the contemplation of nature and life...is to be present again in this world more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deeper-sense-of-presence-isabella-koldras/to-write-a-poem-to-paint-an-image-on-canvass-from-the-contemplation/) Deeper sense of presence Isabella koldras ## More by Natalie Goldberg > [“We heard about people who go back to their roots. That is good, but don't get stuck in the root. There is the branch,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/we-heard-about-people-who-go-back-to-their-roots-that-is-good-but-don/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Over and over, we have to go back to the beginning. We should not be ashamed of this. It is good. It's like drinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/over-and-over-we-have-to-go-back-to-the-beginning-we-should-not-be/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I feel very rich when I have time to write and very poor when I get a regular paycheck and no time at my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-feel-very-rich-when-i-have-time-to-write-and-very-poor-when-i-get-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Actually, when I look at my old notebooks, I think I have been a bit self-indulgent and have given myself too much time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/actually-when-i-look-at-my-old-notebooks-i-think-i-have-been-a-bit/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/our-bodies-are-garbage-heaps-we-collect-experience-and-from-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Know that you will eventually have to leave everything behind; the writing will demand it of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/know-that-you-will-eventually-have-to-leave-everything-behind-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [To encounter a fine book and have time to read it is a wonderful thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-encounter-a-fine-book-and-have-time-to-read-it-is-a-wonderful-thing/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [In the past few years I've assigned books to be read before a student attends one of my weeklong seminars. I have been astonished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/in-the-past-few-years-i-ve-assigned-books-to-be-read-before-a-student/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“When you draw and pay attention to what is, it's a form of being present. This inspires the mind, makes it happy, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/when-you-draw-and-pay-attention-to-what-is-it-s-a-form-of-being/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [Poetry is a dumb Buddha who thinks a donkey is as important as a diamond.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/poetry-is-a-dumb-buddha-who-thinks-a-donkey-is-as-important-as-a/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I told all kinds of stories about going to Japan, about playing ball with my father... I wanted to record my life in case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-told-all-kinds-of-stories-about-going-to-japan-about-playing-ball/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [“No matter what a person does to cover up and conceal themselves, when we write and lose control, I can spot a person from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/no-matter-what-a-person-does-to-cover-up-and-conceal-themselves-when/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [To stay close and intimate with experience is to stay close to the mind; the nitty gritty mind of the way things really are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/to-stay-close-and-intimate-with-experience-is-to-stay-close-to-the/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [I read Eve Ensler and thought it was fabulous. Not only that, but it was really the only thing I could relate to about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/i-read-eve-ensler-and-thought-it-was-fabulous-not-only-that-but-it/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [If you feel bored or uncomfortable as you're writing, ask yourself what's bothering you and write about that. Sometimes your creative energy is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/if-you-feel-bored-or-uncomfortable-as-you-re-writing-ask-yourself/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) [Explore all 212 Natalie Goldberg quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When you write, don't say, \"I'm going to write a poem.\" That attitude will freeze you right away. 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