8 Ways to Mindfully Grow Beyond a Writer’s Block
It’s been a while since I wrote a new post. Simply put, I was experiencing a writer’s block. I started to write several times, but the words just didn’t feel right. I could only write a few sentences at a time, and when I did, it felt like something was missing. It was frustrating to spend an entire month like this, but I’m finally starting to feel excitement about writing again. I have ideas that are begging to be conveyed in words! It’s such a relief.
But before I move on to those, I want to leave behind a list of mindful approaches that helped me move past this writer’s block. I know that I would eventually run into this situation again, so it would be useful to have something to come back to. And I hope you’ll find it helpful, too, when you end up stuck in a writer’s block.
1. Don’t Fight the Writer’s Block
Trust the process. Have absolute faith that your urge to write will return. If writing was not an important part of who you are, you wouldn’t have chosen to express yourself in writing to start with. It’s easy to allow your anxiety to take over but it’s best not to make yourself keep writing when it feels forced. If you keep going on in spite of that, you risk burning out spectacularly later on. Not writing for a few weeks is better than becoming so discouraged that you stop writing completely.
2. Don’t Worry About Anyone Else
Most of the anxiety results because we judge ourselves negatively and then assume that others will feel the same way about us. Accept that what works for someone else is what works for that particular person. It doesn’t mean that it’s a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. We all have our strengths and and weaknesses. And even those strengths sometimes comes and goes in ebbs and flows. It’s OK. Most people will not judge you harshly for going through those moments when nothing seems to go right. But if they do, that’s a sure sign that they are having issues with their own self confidence. They’re just looking for a way to make themselves feel better. The issue really isn’t about you, so don’t let them bother you.
3. Look for the Positive Effects of a Writer’s Block
We tend to judge a writer’s block as something bad. But is it really? If words came to me exactly right, every single time, would they mean as much to me? I get a lot of satisfaction when I manage to convey the message that I really wanted to impart. There’s a sense of pride because I know it’s not something that always comes easy. Because of writer’s blocks, I get to appreciate the flow of words when they return.
4. Reread Your Past Writings
Rereading your previous posts can give you some great ideas for a new post. Maybe there was a topic that you touched on briefly but deserves a full post or two. Maybe you have a new insight to add to a theme that you discussed before. For me, rereading also reaffirmed my belief that writing is a passion that I want to continue pursuing. I am proud of the content that I’m sharing and feel that they have a place in this world. Which leads me to my next approach…
5. Reconnect with Your “Why”
Long before I set up this website and even before I did the 365 Day Challenge on my Instagram, I had a blog called Soliloquies from SonoSono’s Studio. Rereading that blog reminded me of my original reason for starting a blog back in 2009. I wanted to do it for me. I wanted it to help me understand myself better. Then, a few months after I started, a death of a young family member forced me to recognize the fragility of life. My “why” for writing shifted slightly then. I wanted my blog to be a place where my children can come back to even after I was gone. A place where they can reconnect with Mom and where I can talk to them about things that they may have been too young to understand. I still like those reasons. They are what motivates me to keep writing even when the response from the public is non-existent. I still find what I’m doing meaningful.
6. Gain More Knowledge
I wrote about energy balance earlier and compared it to breathing. I believe this applies to writer’s blocks, too. Energetically speaking, a writer’s block is probably like when you’ve exhaled or hyperventilated for too long, and you need to take a deep breath. We all need it sometimes. If you view it as something essential, then you can devote yourself to gaining new information rather than beating yourself up for not writing.
7. Express Yourself in a Different Medium
During this writer’s block, I still had creative energy. I just couldn’t seem to find the right words. So I worked on a mandala and started a crochet project, which is something I haven’t done in a long time. I did a lot of reiki as well, both on myself and remotely on others. You can also sing, dance, exercise, or do anything else that’s outside of your normal routine. It may help you make new discoveries and give you new ideas.
8. Trust Your Intuition
This was something that came up again and again during the writer’s block. Take the time to really listen to your body. It communicates to you through different feelings, especially around your gut, heart, and hands. Pay attention to what it’s trying to tell you. At first, I didn’t want to listen, so I tried to force myself to write a post. But there was a problem at the hosting site that I use, and I couldn’t even sign in to edit my website! I finally got the message and let go of control. I let my intuition guide me to videos and books that it thought would be beneficial. And here I am, finally writing again, feeling satisfied with my own creation.
Like I said, what works for one person is what works for that particular person. It’s not a solution for everyone. But I do hope some of these approaches bring you more peace of mind during a writer’s block. I really feel that the more you relax, the faster you will come out of it in the end.