Writer's Block? I Know Her…

I think it's fair to say that no one is immune to writer's block. Sure, seasoned authors and creators are certainly more accustomed to writing high-quality work for long periods of time, especially if it is their profession.

But that doesn't mean that they don't experience frustrations from time to time when trying to develop meaningful content, maintain focus, or begin a new piece. Overworking can also lead to writer's block. Emily Gould, an internationally renowned author speaks about the purpose of journaling in a workshop on SkillShare.

Keep a Daily Journal

In the past, I was an avid fan of journaling. I wouldn't miss a day of it, even if it was just five minutes spent on getting my ideas down on paper. But when I discovered Medium, I decided that I needed to be writing for the purpose of publication every free second I could scavenge throughout my days. I had so many thoughts and opinions that I literally could not spit out fast enough.

And soon enough, I was missing the practice terribly and decided to opt for journaling once more. Not only could I use frequent fragments, lots of profanity, and ramble on with sentences that never ended.

I was able to get my feelings out there without any fear of judgment, wondering who might come across it, etc. The journal was always there waiting for me to come back to it. Even when I disappeared for a little while, it was there again to greet me when I was ready.

I find journaling to not only be therapeutic but cathartic as well. It gives me closure about life events and experiences that poke tears in my heart and leave me feeling "alone." And it helps me to lift myself up when I wish for some validation without any worry of being mistaken for a narcissist.

Usually, a lot of what evolves into my published articles began as a messy thought scribbled down into my notebook. And from that, I utilize the context of my most vulnerable self and transform my thoughts into something I think others will find value in.

Start Small

Emily suggests a ten-day journaling challenge to anyone and everyone - but especially those who love to write. The challenge is to start your daily prompt with the sentence, "Today I noticed…"

The point of the exercise is to consider your surroundings a little differently than you have before. It is a challenge because if you are writing in a place where you often find yourself, there is really nothing new or exciting to "notice…" or so you may think.

When you practice this prompt, it isn't necessary for you to write about something you physically see. You can write about something you notice within you or even something that's happening in the world around you. There are no rules for this prompt. It serves as an exciting exercise to get you thinking about something. The best part about journaling is that there is no wrong or right way to do it.

Other prompt ideas could be starting every sentence with the words "I am grateful for…" This not only has a major impact on the way our ideas will be shaped. It also forces us to contemplate our ordinary narrative by taking notice of how much we usually complain. All while it requires us to find gratitude in describing the unfortunate events of life, contemplating how we could possibly erect something good from them.

Other Roadblocks

What if I can't force myself to think differently?

In your daily routine, take a path you normally wouldn't take. Maybe that's a different route to work, a longer walk to your class, or even a different form of transportation, if possible.

Find stillness. Throughout your day, especially during moments of high stress, take some time to check in with your body and your breath. Have a little stretch, massage your neck or hands, or just close your eyes for a moment while you simply breathe.

Move through your day with more mindful intentions. Actually sit down and have breakfast with no scrolling and no noise. Really taste your food. Remove the earbuds and listen to the sounds around you. Look around observently. Say hi to strangers. Embrace the fullness of the trees and the vastness of the sky outside. Spend a small moment in time watching a bug do its thing. Yes, it sounds corny, but it may actually work and help you to get those creative juices flowing.

Just this morning during my breakfast, I listened to some music and decided to sit outside. I noticed a small ant on the floral tablecloth enjoying a piece of food I had dropped. I must have watched the ant for a couple of minutes slowly picking at the vegetable and even appearing to clean its face. It was actually kind of cute. (This is saying a lot since I am recovering from my phobia of ants.)

I don't believe my face was ever that close to a bug and I actually found myself giggling at the little critter. Yes, my mom thought I was crazy and found it disgusting to be on the table we ate on. But I let the ant be and enjoyed my breakfast as the ant enjoyed theirs. And for some strange reason, it granted me feelings of joy!

Everyone experiences writer's block. It is nothing to be ashamed about. There are definitely other tactics one could take to dust the cobwebs from our mind and experience laser-focus. But, journaling on a regular basis is definitely one of my favorites.

So the next time you're feeling a little scattered and devoid of ideas, maybe you can attempt using the prompts above or simply journaling. Who knows, it may lead you to your greatest creation to date!

Whatever you do, don't stop writing. I believe everything is temporary in life, for better or for worse. That includes writer's block.

Happy writing!

Xo, Susie

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