it's really hard to write today

That is my favourite way to start free-writing...

'it's really hard to write today'

Somehow that phrase just frees me up creatively once i write it then extrapolate on it. There is ALWAYS something in my day that is a challenge when trying to write, and the job is to write every day DESPITE or even because of the challenges.
Writing is about getting the story down, discovering the hidden parts, flying off on the tangents to see if they have real wings, typing, handwriting, sketching, lists, daydreaming...
Writing is NOT about the 'mood' for me. It is about the time and the space... whether I have a 3000 words day or a 20 words day.