Creative Blocks
Because that’s what’s bothering me right now.
Writer’s block, artist’s block, sculptor’s block, doesn’t matter who you are, or what you do, your creativity is being blocked and if your anything like me, finding the source of that block is worth committing arson.
There are plenty of types of writer’s block, anywhere from lack of motivation to a lack of inspiration, but that isn’t going to help you get out of one. Granted knowing what’s stopped you could be the key to unblocking yourself. For me, in the middle of two different books, I just stopped. It was gross, but that in itself is called a Procedural Block, does knowing that help me at all? No. But perhaps knowing could help one of you.
Procedural Block - Hitting a roadblock in the middle of a work.
It’s suggested to do some writing prompts, remind yourself how to write again. Personally, step back, take a deep breath, let your mind go, and go get some water. Start at the beginning of the chapter, the mass in which you are creating; whether it’s a chapter, a limb (in sculpting), or a tapestry, go back and follow your steps. Figure out where you tripped, sweep it up and keep going. Don’t go to the beginning, especially if you've gotten far. You’ll get overwhelmed, and you’ll find mistakes, you want to write, not edit. Find your last checkpoint, your last landmark, and go from there. It’s okay if you have to go further back, but don’t go to the beginning.
Psychological Block - Psyching yourself out
A psychological break is when you’ve convinced yourself that there is no point to writing because. . .
a) it’ll never be published
b) no one will read it
c) no one who does read it, won’t like it
or d) in which you feel like your work is not worth working on (i.e. it’s not good enough)
Who are you writing for? Who were you writing for when you started the project? "Myself,” should be the answer to both of those questions, and sometimes it’s not. It is recommended to write for yourself and I agree. Creation is an extension of the soul, when one wishes to put forth such efforts, you are not writing someone else’s story, don’t worry about what they’ll think of it. Write, even if it’s shit, practice makes progress. Perfection is a concept. What do you expect when you reach this concept perfection anyway?
“Make happiness, make perfection in your progress.”
“Creativity Block“ - A lack of inspiration or direction
Brain really said, ✨ no ✨ a lack of creativity is not the end of the world, not knowing what to draw, paint, sculpt, stitch, carve, whatever, is a bitch in general and as per recommended, indulge yourself in your interest, Pinterest is my personal favorite, but to each is own. Interest yourself, let your mind lighten up at the idea of a new project. It won’t happen immediately, and that’s okay, it might not happen for days, weeks, or even months (at this point, for my gremlin brain at least), that’s okay too. (As frustrating as it is)
Procrastination Block - In which there is always something else to do
It is recommended to set a schedule, a specific time you set aside for yourself to write, but frankly, I am no one to suggest schedules but I can recommend setting a time period in which you are comfortable writing. This way, you aren’t set to 15:00 (3 p.m.) rather, noon to 15:00, and not writing in your specific time block is perfectly fine, you’re writing. That was the goal.
Distraction Block - Unfortunately, most of us do not live in secluded mountains away from the bustle of daily life, things are going to distract you.
Make a writing space, it can be in your bedroom, it can be on a hotel roof (responsibly), it can be in a local library. Wherever you find comfort and solace is ideal and this may be a trial and error process. Your bedroom may be too close to a tree of squirrels, police and pedestrians may keep thinking you’re going to do something stupid, libraries can be too quiet. It’s a preference, and know that it’s okay to change writing spaces. After a while, our brain begins to find little things we didn’t notice before and it can be comforting or distracting. Nothing is ever perfect, just progressive.
