All day, I told myself, write after dinner. Write after dinner. I set an alert on my phone, even typed out a little caption on the reminder so I wouldn’t forget. Dinner came, and so did the notification. Dismiss. I hit the button, went back to my home screen, and then… blank. My mind was like, Wait… was I doing something? I stared at my phone like it held the answer, but the thought just… poof, gone. The alert, the caption, even the verbal reminders—it was like they never existed.
Hours passed, and the only thing I could remember was that I had a fire idea for my story earlier. What was it again? I tried to brainstorm some possibilities, but nothing clicked. Did I write it down somewhere? I couldn’t even convince myself to check because, by then, that foggy wave of tiredness had rolled in. My body straight-up clocked out on me, like, Nope, not today. I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t create, and I definitely couldn’t write.
I woke up the next morning with the same guilt I always feel when I don’t write. Another day wasted. It wasn’t just writer’s block—it was my body telling me, you’re done, before I even started.
The Epileptic Writer’s Dilemma
If you’re living with epilepsy, you know the struggle. Writing—whether it’s a novel, a journal, or even a grocery list—takes focus, memory, and energy. But epilepsy has its own script: seizures interrupt your flow, medication dulls sharp ideas, and fatigue blocking your creative window.
For a long time, I believed my dream of being a writer couldn’t coexist with my reality as an epileptic. But I learned that all I needed was a new game plan.
The Struggles Are Real
Epilepsy isn’t just about seizures—it’s about the ripple effects they leave behind.
Tiredness, Brain Fog, Memory Loss, Headaches, Dizziness and even Mood Swings
These challenges are frustrating, but they’re not insurmountable.
Writing—whether it’s your passion or your paycheck—is absolutely possible. With the right mindset, tools, and rhythm, you can create without burning out. Here’s how.
1. Know When to Rest
It’s okay to pause when your brain demands it. Don’t fight the fog; flow with it. I used to see my “off” days as setbacks. Now, I honor them as part of the process. Rest, recover, and trust that creativity isn’t a race—it’s a rhythm.
2. Work with Your Energy, Not Against It
Epilepsy has its own schedule, sometimes that schedule is random and doesn’t care about your deadlines. Instead of fighting it, figure out your most productive times. I learned that mornings, when my mind is clearest, are my creative sweet spot. Find your golden hours—those moments when your energy and focus align—and guard them fiercely.
3. Lean on Resources
Tools became my best friends. Speech-to-text apps, writing block apps, and even sticky notes helped me capture fleeting ideas. Writing doesn’t always have to mean sitting at a desk. Jot ideas in the moment, then revisit them when you’re ready.
4. Celebrate Progress Over Perfection
Finished a paragraph? Celebrate. Wrote a killer sentence? Celebrate. Managed to sit down and brainstorm despite feeling off? Celebrate. Epilepsy makes even the small things feel huge sometimes, so give yourself credit for showing up. You’re doing more than just writing—you’re persevering.
5. Don’t Judge Yourself
Living with epilepsy can make it easy to judge yourself for not meeting goals or keeping up with others. But your journey is unique, and you can’t compare it to anyone else’s. Be upfront with yourself first, then with others. If you need extra time or understanding after a seizure, don’t hesitate to speak up for yourself and say “this is what I need”. Once you understand & accept your needs, the guilt fades, and you can focus on progress, not perfection.
Quick Tips
• Start Small: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, break down larger tasks into manageable steps. This helps keep you on track without feeling too pressured. For example, instead of saying "Write a chapter," break it down into smaller tasks like "Write the introduction," "Outline key points," or "Write 50 words today."
• Keep a Journal: Not just for thoughts but also to track seizure patterns and creative highs. I know it can be challenging to remember to even grab your journal, however, your effort will make all the difference.
• Use Technology: Leverage apps like Rev or Danger Notes to capture ideas instantly or help you when your mind feels stuck.
• Create a Support System: Share your writing goals with someone who understands your challenges and can offer encouragement. I also found it helpful to join online writing or epilepsy groups. That way, when I scroll through Facebook or Instagram, I get little reminders to write just by seeing them on my timeline. It’s a simple way to stay motivated and connected with others who get it.
• Stay Physically Active: Engage in gentle exercise, like walking, yoga, or stretching, to help improve mood, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being.
Writing Between the Lines
Writing with epilepsy is a unique kind of balancing act. Some days you’re on fire, and others you’re stuck in the fog. The trick isn’t to fight it—it’s to flow with it. I used to feel like I was losing because I couldn’t keep up with my own creative goals. Now, I realize those pauses—those moments when I have to stop, rest, and reset—they’re part of my process, not the end of it.
So here’s my takeaway: you can write with epilepsy, and you can thrive while doing it. Your process might look different. It might take longer. But that doesn’t mean your story isn’t worth telling. In fact, it’s the pauses and the challenges that make it even more powerful.
Keep writing, even if it’s just one word today. Keep believing, even if the fog feels thick. You’re not writing despite epilepsy—you’re writing with, through and because of it. The world needs your words, told in your way, at your pace.
Remember, the best epiphanies happen between the lines and through the waves. The truth is, epilepsy doesn’t take away your creativity—it simply requires you to navigate the journey a little differently.
