Writer’s block and ways to manage it

It’s my turn to write a newsletter, and I can safely say I’ve been hit by a hard case of writer’s block.

It’s partly down to my complete indecision of what to write about topic wise this month.

My mind feels as blank as an old western scene, complete with rolling tumbleweeds. But here I am, sharing this conundrum with you—and already, that honestly feels lighter.

Now I know this isn’t a manuscript for a novella so perhaps writer’s block may sound dramatic for a newsletter. There are lots of reasons for writer’s block: perfectionism, fear of exposure, or even mental exhaustion (the list goes on).

Throughout art, music and literature the block to creativity can be an excruciating place of self-torture for some. Or a cathartic, deeply meaningful place to work through for others. Most of all, it’s an incredibly personal experience and everyone has differing views of how to overcome creative blocks.

Take musician, Jamie Liddell, for example:

“Some days the genius will be in you, and you will sail. Other days the lead will line the slippers, and you’ll be staring into the void of your so-called creative mind, feeling like a fraud. It’s all part of the big ole cycle of creativity, and it’s a healthy cycle at that.” The Marginalian, 2012

Or writer, Janet Malcolm:

“I’m definitely more a cabinetmaker than a tormented artist...I often get stuck. Then I get sleepy and have to lie down. Or I make myself leave the house—walking sometimes produces a solution.” The Paris Review (2018)

For me, beating writer's block today came down to three things in this order:

• Morning pages—you might know this journaling practice from The Artist’s Way. The idea is, as soon as you wake up, you write three pages in a stream-of-consciousness style. It really helped me this morning—can bring a lightning bolt of clarity to my thoughts.
• A run outdoors—short, puffy-faced stomp along the beautiful canal paths where I live helps to clear the brain fog.
• ‘Do not disturb’ time—giving myself the space and time for utterly no distractions. Essential!

How do you overcome writing or creative blocks? I’d love to know.

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