Every creative person will relate to the infamous “writer’s block”. If this is your profession, its no joke. It can impact you for days, weeks, even years. If you write or create for pure enjoyment, at the least it can make the creative writing journey hell and at the worst deter you or even put you off from the process altogether! (NOOO!)
I call bullsh*t on the idea that you get “creative people” and “not creative people”. We are all born innately with creativity as a magical tool we can use for so many things, uplifting your soul being the least mentioned but most likely the most beneficial. You just have people willing to do the work required to share their creations (writing, art, music etc) and people willing to buy into the belief its not worth the effort.
I believe we have a duty to ourselves and our loved ones to shine our light and create! For ourselves and the world…
So I have put some handy tips together for when the (very normal) writers block pays you a visit. If you are questioning if you are cut out to be a writer because of this, remember writers block only visits…you guessed it, writers!
Scroll down for the tips, but if you are interested in finding out what is it, here are some evidence-based reasons the experts have discovered as the causes.
- Comparing yourself to other writers
- Fear of criticism
- Lack of motivations and support from outside
- Lack of motivation and support from inside.
Pretty simple. Its your feelings. You might start excited and hopeful and negative feelings overtake. This is not a signal to give up. This is a signal that you are in the process of creating something and that is just how any success will look.
Solution? Hire a writing coach. (Like me) If however, you would like to DIY the solution, read on.
How to overcome writer’s block: 5 tips
1. Don’t dismiss a good routine.
If you are of the belief you need to feel inspired to write or create, you might find yourself very impacted by writer’s block. It’s a narrative you are welcome to throw away. Creativity and inspiration are something that will ebb and flow much like all our feelings but if we believe that we need to feel “pumped up” to exercise or “motivated” to make those sales calls or “confident” to stand up for ourselves, guess what? Most likely you would not get very far with anything. These emotions are not our human default setting. Its wonderful when we do feel these emotions and yet cannot rely on them to do “the work” we know we are meant to do. Like anything you need to practice routinely to create the right habits. To put it in other words, if you feel you need to turn your life upside down to create the right conditions (the right conditions are important though – won’t get into that now) you might find yourself with more excuses as to why you haven’t actually finished your book. Being disciplined and practicing writing when you have a gap (lunch break, after kids go down, early morning) irrespective of how you feel will build your confidence and convince your brain that you are in fact, inspired, motivated, pumped up etc.
2. Just go for it, just get it out.
A writer can spend ages and ultimately get blocked from trying to write perfectly. The goal is to practice getting yourself into the zone, and staying in the zone, that is the goal here…. not perfection. You can always go back, chop and change all you want. You sit and overthink it, feelings arise, usually not great, then you waste more time, and it can suck the joy out of it…. which again, is the best perk of all, don’t deny yourself of this.
3. Get physical.
Writing is thinking, and it is ALL in your head. It can get exhausting because as humans we need to think, feel and be in action. (The mind, heart and action “centres” that make us who we are.) We have so much in our heads but Do Not discount the information we get from our feelings, and our bodies. Both have stored memory which is lost when untapped. So, if you have exhausted your mind (I know this too well being a chronic over thinker) You need to connect with your body.
Go for a walk outdoors, punch a pillow, play, swim, dance, sing…you get the idea….see what comes up for you ( and thank me later) Try to immerse yourself in your other senses and give your head a deserved break.
4. Don’t know where to start?
Don’t start at the beginning. Why is this the most Daunting part of ANYTHING? You have a wonderful idea you could get stuck into and BAM, the question of “how do I begin?!” pops into your head. How does that make you feel? If it takes you out “the zone”, don’t go there yet. For some this is hard, and as messy as it may appear on paper, get to grips with writing and creating anything is messy, and that’s ok.
The goal is again, to practice being able to get yourself into the zone, and keeping yourself in that zone, as practice creates habits, good habits create success. So, head straight to where you feel the most confident. Most likely when it is time to write the beginning, you are on such a roll, it flows with no hesitation.
5. Balance your inner critic
There is no one on the planet that doesn’t have an inner critic. This inner critic can cause debilitating self-doubt, causing your writing to come to a halt or it can simple be acknowledged for what is it, a small, small part of your mind that just wants you (your ego) to survive, (stay in comfort zone, stay the same and not take risks). A bigger part of your brain knows that you are not in a surviving situation, and in fact are willing and able to continue forward, irrespective of this self-doubt.
Lastly writer’s block often comes from a problem deeper than simple “lack of inspiration.” So let’s dig deep: why are you really blocked? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this stemming from a feeling of pressure to succeed and/or competition with other writers/people?
- Have I lost sight of my why?
- Do I lack the confidence needed to push forward?
- Consider that you are a seed, are you planted in fertile soil or ice? Is your environment conducive for your writing to flourish?
Lastly there is of course no ONE easy quick fix to writer’s block, but don’t underestimate the power you have to minimise its importance and move on despite it. The writing journey is for you essentially and within you, so enjoy and have fun with it.
Carrie Nidd
ICF/ACC Coach
