Are there ever times where you feel mentally drained? Have you ever tried to read a book or write down an idea but you grow bored and move on? If you can relate to this, you are not alone. As a self-proclaimed creative person, I can experience these feelings too. They are mostly commonly described as writer’s block.
Writer’s block is a phase that any writer can go through. One will lose interest in their creative process and have difficulty finishing or starting to write. You can identify writer’s block by loss of focus, disinterest in the material you usually enjoy and the inability to create new, meaningful content for a period of time, anywhere from a couple days to months at a time.
According to Merriam-Webster, writer’s block is, “a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece (of writing)”. This is a non-medical condition but can still be problematic, especially if your career involves writing. Writer’s block has many levels of severity and can cause difficulty in coming up with original ideas or being unable to produce work for years.
It is important to realize that if you ever feel like your creativity is drained or you suddenly lost your love for writing, you are not alone and there are ways to get your motivation back. The key factor in many ways to get through writer’s block is finding new perspective.
2. Change your scenery: Taking a step back from your normal routine and reintroducing yourself to the world around you could help you find new inspiration. Several ways to change up your regular scenery include taking a walk, going for a drive, watching a new show, or listening to music. The change in environment is good for inspiration but also with perspective. You can discover new facets of yourself that could fuel your creativity or rediscover the importance of what you have taken for granted.
3. Try something new: Many researchers have looked into the correlation between time and productivity. One such researcher is Francesco Cirillo, a developer and entrepreneur, who created the Pomodoro Technique in the late 1980’s. He studied different time increments and discovered that most individuals are most productive in 25 minute intervals. Trying the Pomodoro Technique could be useful to some struggling with writer’s block. Set a timer for 25 minutes and solely focus on a task at hand, whether that is a writing exercise or listing your favorite vocabulary to spark ideas. After the timer is done, send another 25 minutes checking emails or scrolling on social media. Lastly, repeat the process.
Writer’s block is a phenomenon that many can struggle with and it can lead to self doubt. Reminding yourself that creative blocks are a part of the process is important, and breakthroughs can happen when you least expect it. Relaxation is not only for your physical health, but also for your mental health. Finding new perspectives and inspirations can help you work through creative slumps while also helping your mind to take a break when life gets too stressful. The most important thing to remember is to not give up on yourself.
Below are links for more information and ways to overcome writer’s block:
https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/student-life/7-ways-overcome-writers-block/
https://authornews.penguinrandomhouse.com/10-ways-to-beat-writers-block/
https://www.dabblewriter.com/articles/conquer-the-clog-how-to-overcome-writers-block