The Creative Dilemma: Balancing Spontaneity and Structure
For the longest time, I’ve wanted to create a post.?I’ve always had so much on my mind, so much to express, and so much to share. I loved writing. But as life unfolded and new experiences came along, I found myself putting it aside. I began to believe there were always “better writers” out there, and gradually, I just stopped.
I’ve been planning (it’s always just?planning) a 90-day content challenge. But I could never get past 14 days before something got in the way. Over the past two years, I’ve tried this at least six different times. I’d start, build a few pieces of content, and then—blank. It’s like I’d hit a wall. If writer’s block is a thing, then I guess I was always facing blogger’s block.
I couldn’t figure out why. I talked it over with a friend, and he suggested using AI—ChatGPT, or something like that—to help me generate ideas. But it didn’t feel right. It felt like cheating, not only myself but also anyone who might read my work. I tried a few AI tools here and there, but nothing changed. The block was still there. And it wasn’t laziness—I just couldn’t identify what was stopping me.
Finally, I asked myself the “5 Whys”—why did I feel blocked? Why wasn’t I able to blog like I once did?
Turns out, the problem wasn’t a lack of ideas, or feeling overwhelmed, or even “losing my touch.”
The problem was a lack of spontaneity.?I’m a spontaneous person by nature. I think out loud, express my thoughts in the moment, and love the freedom of sharing whatever’s on my mind. For me, blogging should feel like an extension of that, a form of self-expression that just flows.
But building this 90-day content challenge forced me to plan everything ahead—what I wanted to write, the problem I wanted to solve, who I wanted to reach. The spontaneity was gone. Planning forced me to work against my natural way of expressing myself. Instead of writing about what felt meaningful in the moment, I was following a strict, pre-planned structure. And it killed the authenticity of what I wanted to say.
Now, I know I need to find a way to bring out both sides of me—my spontaneity and the execution of a plan. So, how can I merge these opposing traits?
Merging Spontaneity and Structure:
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Here’s what I’m planning to try:
Micro-Planning: Instead of rigidly planning all 90 days at once, I’ll set small weekly themes and let my spontaneous thoughts flow within them. This way, I’ll have structure, but I won’t feel confined.
Spontaneous Days: I’ll build in “spontaneous days” every week where I can write on whatever’s on my mind—no rules, no themes. This could keep me inspired and keep the content authentic.
Voice Notes for Idea Capturing: I’ll start recording spontaneous thoughts throughout the day as voice notes. These can become the seeds for blog posts that I plan, but with that initial spark intact.
Mixing Styles: I’ll blend planned, structured posts with more spontaneous, real-time reflections. This way, I can keep the consistency without losing the fresh, in-the-moment insights that make writing feel fun.
30-Minute Free Writes: I’ll allow myself 30 minutes once a week to just write, freely and without editing, on a topic that feels urgent. This might produce content gems and, at the very least, help me reconnect with the love of spontaneous writing.
So, that’s where I’m at—working to bring these two parts of myself together. Here’s to getting the best of both worlds: the plan and the passion.
What about you? Have you ever struggled to balance structure with spontaneity? Or maybe you’ve found a way to keep your content authentic while staying consistent? I’d love to hear your thoughts or any tips that have worked for you.
Let’s connect and swap ideas—leave a comment or send me a message, and let’s keep each other motivated on this creative journey!
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