I’ve had writer’s block lately. Perhaps it’s the perfectionistic, Type A personality that is me. It’s common for me to get in my own way by overthinking my approach. Perhaps I am slightly burnt-out, particularly with the heightened workload in preparation for the holidays. Maybe I feel like I have nothing new to say. Or, maybe I feel like I’ve already said it or someone has already said it. I could simply lack inspiration. Maybe. There’s so much I want to write about it and yet there’s so little I feel worthy of your time. Whatever the reason for the block, I’ve been here before. If you’re a writer, it’s a familiar place.
If there’s anything I’ve learned from writer’s block, it’s that I need to just shut up and write. Stop over-analyzing the message. Ignore the distractions (which are oddly welcoming during a block). Forget the hundreds of other things I could be checking off my list because doing those things is easier than the process of content creation.
So why do I do it? Why do I bother to shut up and write when there’s nothing that’s creating a spark? Why do I write when I don’t feel like it or I’m unsure of the message I want to convey? Well, that’s easy. I write because it’s important to remain consistent.
We have the best intentions. But, deep thinking, non-immediate revenue-generating, non-linear projects are often pushed toward the bottom of the list in favor of seemingly timely, sometimes important, easily justifiable stuff. ‘Life gets in the way’ or ‘life happens’ as they say.
If that sounds like an excuse, it is, so don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s human nature. Even I struggle, otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing a blog about writer’s block!
But, I do encourage you to shut up and write. No excuses. I had no idea where I was going with this post, but I’m satisfied with the outcome. I just put thoughts on paper – or, as some call the shitty rough draft – and now I have a message.
What’s your block?
