Time to bear it all… kinda 😉
So, here’s the thing… I’ve been in a bit of a slump recently, writing-wise (in case you haven’t noticed LOL!). I mean, I sit down at the dining table, all pumped and determined to type up like, a week’s worth of posts, open up the laptop and… nothing.
“Why?”, you ask? Who knows?!
Could it be this event that I’m planning? *shrug* It could very well be that my brain has turned to mush with all the preparations on top of the already fifty-eleven things I’ve got going on in this head of mine. Could be. Or maybe…
…it’s my writing space. Hey, don’t underestimate the value of a decent place to create! You fellow writers, artists and creatives alike will surely agree with me that often times, your environment can either inspire you to be super productive or do just the opposite. I’ve read and seen on many a show that colors affect your mood and quite frankly, the space I write from most times is downright depressing. Since I can’t change the colors and whatnot (not my house) I venture out to coffee shops to get some fresh air, a chai latte and a change of scenery which does help get the creative juices flowing.
Okay, if I’m really being honest with myself, it’s me. Mmhhmm… just me and my obsession with, or more accurately, my fear of not producing something of substance. I came to grips with this fact about myself- which isn’t limited to writing- a long time ago. I’ve improved but I’m still a work in progress. Reminds me of a blog post by photographer Danielle Finney which really resonated with me. Just last week, I made something of an affirmation on this topic while speaking with the hubster and was determined to do even better. This quote, posted by a fellow blogger on Facebook, sums up my sentiments nicely…
I’ve found that when I think too much about getting that opening line or paragraph just right, it takes me forever to actually begin writing. In time, I’m thinking SO much that I can’t think at all (how is that possible?!) and I end up just sitting there, catatonic almost.
In an effort to give my mind a break, I find other things to do (hey social media!). Let’s see… isn’t there a word for this? Oh, right. Procrastination! HA! *hangs head* Well, I’ve come to learn that I am far more productive when I do as I did with this very post- stop all the thinking, stop getting in my own way, throw caution to the wind and just… begin.
Needless to say, this thought process will come in handy in other areas of life. As hubby always tells me, “ya just gotta DO it!”
Do you find that you have issues beginning and following through with certain tasks? How did you eventually get over that hump? If this was once an issue for you, how did you overcome it?
I think my problem is that somewhere along the way I felt that no one would want to hear what I had to say, so my voice became muffled and indistinct and ultimately, silent. But this did inspire me!
I’ve been struggling with motivation to write as well. But I notice that I find inspiration at the most random times so I always keep a notebook and pen with me, just in case an interesting blog topic or title comes to mind. In terms of my surroundings, I love coffee shops in the winter time, but would rather spend a nice summer day on a rooftop or in a park. Writing outdoors and switching up my scenery often helps me get out of a writing rut.
I also come up with too many ideas, and try to take on too many tasks at once (i.e. newyorkcitynaturals, three events, working full time. and job/school hunting). I’ve decided to use my free time to focus and perfect one thing first – my blog. So all of my other crazy extra-curricular ideas got put on the back burner and will be revisited later.
Author
Writing outdoors sounds awesome! I’d do that too if (1) my allergies weren’t so ridiculously annoying and (2) I can get wi-fi in the park LOL! I try to keep my purse light so I don’t walk with my notebook as much as I used to but I’ll at least out some ideas in my note-taker app.
I read an article recently about using your time wisely and it mentioned prioritizing and focusing on one thing at a time. UGH, it’s so hard when you have so much to do! But I definitely feel you as far as perfecting one thing first. I am slowly learning to do that. And sometimes, it’s a matter of taking some things completely off of your plate instead of just shifting them around on the plate, in a sense. 😉 Gotta be realistic and honest with myself to make that happen.
Been there in spades, especially in my creative writing. But I experience that even in blogging and other non-fictive efforts. For me, as you mentioned, my environment can significantly affect following through, which is why I also frequent bookstores and coffee shops! 😉 I read a lot of articles/books on the writing process; one thing I learned is that being blocked is sometimes not the lack of ideas, but not knowing what to do with the abundance of them! Interesting theory, huh? Might be why we feel pressured to deliver substantive work or something worth something. Let me stop rambling: what helps me is patience. I wait for my brain to go through it and then, one fine day, it all returns and I resume writing. So let it ride. 🙂 Easier said than done, right?
Author
Haha! Girl please, “ramble” on. I thoroughly enjoyed your comment! I think that book is onto something. I definitely nodded when I read that point- it certainly IS an issue of not knowing what to do with all my ideas. Over the years, my focus has gotten so bad and when I have mucho ideas, I don’t know what to do first or how. The wheels start turning on one thing then my brain goes to another. Haha! I’m glad I’m not alone in this and further, that there’s a book on it! 😉 What I also mentioned to hubby is that I think if I get back to creative writing it may help open me up so that I can think a bit more… freely (?). But yes, patience is needed. Gotta work on that. Thanks Shirley!