Thoughts on writer's block

Or any blocks in our creative projects

I’ve been having a hard time feeling creative lately. Maybe it’s the news, the sun setting at 5pm, or the increased hours I’ve had to spend at work lately.

Whatever the cause, the results are the same. I sit myself down to write something magical and just end up staring at a blank google doc. I know that I want to fill the pages with something creative and nurturing, but I feel a bit… uninspired.

In situations like this, I can be an overthinker. I have the tendency to dissect and analyze any possible reason for my current state of mind, especially when I’m not able to accomplish what I want (like sitting down and writing something awesome).

But I don’t think that overthinking (see what I did there?) is helping me this time around.¹ It doesn’t matter why I’m experiencing a creative block. What matters are the actions I take to try and push past this barrier.

When I feel like this—when you feel like this—we need to expand our surface area to increase our likelihood of finding inspiration again. In other words, we need to enlarge our plane of possibilities.

Overcoming Creative Blocks

When we’re in creative lulls, we don’t need to passively wait for inspiration to strike. We can shift our approach, change our scenery, or return to what’s comforting and familiar. All of these actions will create opportunities for us to feel inspired again.

Case in point: I wrote the first draft of this post on my phone at the park. Last week I was stewing in my apartment, feeling completely stumped on what to write for my next newsletter. In an attempt to be proactive, I decided to do something about it. I know that fresh air and sunshine make me feel better, so I journeyed to the park with a picnic blanket, a couple of books, and my journal.

Relaxing outside led to inspiration, which led to words in my notes app, which has now turned into the post you’re reading (wahoo!).

My version of sugar, spice, and everything nice.

Try different things out

Since everyone’s creative process is different, what works for me may not work for you. The key is to experiment and find what sparks inspiration for you. Here are a few ideas to try next time you’re staring down a creative block.

Get Outside

This one’s my go-to. Whether it’s a walk, a lazy afternoon at the park, or just sitting on a bench watching the world go by, fresh air has a magical way of clearing mental fog.

Revisit Your Favorites

We all have writers, artists, musicians, and creators who inspire us. If you feel stuck, return to your role models and idols. Often this will remind you why you create in the first place.

Meditate

Creativity and stress don’t mix well. Meditation can help quiet the noise and make space for new ideas. Sometimes I’ll imagine that with each exhale I’m clearing gunk in a stream to allow water to flow.²

Talk it Out

A conversation with the right person can be like a creative reset button. A fresh perspective can shift your mindset, and sometimes saying your thoughts out loud is enough to untangle them. (Just make sure it’s someone who lifts you up, not someone who’ll make you doubt yourself.)

Switch Mediums

If you’re experiencing writer’s block, pick up a paintbrush or a crocheting needle. A side project can be a form of “productive procrastination.”³ Creativity isn’t one-dimensional, and sometimes a change of activity is all it takes to get things flowing again.

Be Kind and Curious

If all else fails and you still feel blocked, please remember to be kind to yourself. We all go through these periods of ups and downs. If we add self-judgement on top of an already frustrating situation, we only make it harder to overcome.

Being opportunistic means creating space for ideas to come. It requires a curious mindset and cannot be brute-forced. Give yourself permission to pause and rest, and trust that in time you will find inspiration again.

My view at the park when writing this. :)

If you have any other ideas for pushing past creative blocks, comment them below!

Thanks for reading,
Ari

1. Or ever?

2. If anyone watches Avatar the Last Airbender, I often imagine the guru episode when I do this.

3. A term that I was introduced to in Austin Kleon’s book Steal Like an Artist.