1. You’ve been jotting down an increasing number of idea fragments lately.
2. Returning to writing is no longer a “maybe or a “what if” — it’s a “when.”
3. You’ve decided other people’s opinions of your work aren’t going to stop you from writing anymore. You’re done with that. You’re ready to take ownership of and embrace your work.
4. You’re starting to get kind of bored? Maybe in a good way? But also how many times is too many times when it comes to organizing the books on a bookshelf?
5. You’ve taken a break. And that break has been just the right amount of time, whether you planned it that way or not. You feel refreshed, and ever so slightly anxious to get back into your “groove.”
6. Either that or you’re so anxious to get back to writing that you feel like all your ideas are about to burst through your skull and attack your family. (I don’t know, I’m tired, roll with it.)
7. You’re actually excited about some of the story ideas that have crossed your mind lately. Instead of dreading them, you feel ready to spend time with them.
8. The thought of “having” to write today no longer overwhelms you. It’s something you’re actually looking forward to getting the chance to sit down and do.
9. You’re ready to write, even though you’re afraid. Fear is, after all, part of the experience. If we had nothing to fear, it just wouldn’t be the same.
10. You’ve accepted that what you write is probably not going to be perfect. Perfection is a roadblock, not an end goal. Don’t write to be perfect. Write to be human.
11. You know now, perhaps even more than you did before, that writing is something you are truly meant to do.
12. You’re ready to move forward. There is no looking back.
Meg is the creator of Novelty Revisions, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words. She is a staff writer with The Cheat Sheet, a freelance editor and writer, and a 10-time NaNoWriMo winner. Follow Meg on Twitter for tweets about writing, food and nerdy things.
Meg Dowell Writes 
I especially like number six and seven, Meg. It is as if you are inside my brain, and yes, my mind is often ready to explode with ideas. Thank you for a great post that resonates with me!