10 Tips to Getting Started Writing When You’re Just Feeling Stuck
I’m gonna be honest: I had a hard time writing this blog post. Or rather, I had a hard time starting it. The truth is, I just didn’t feel like writing this morning, even though writing is my job.
But I realized that getting started writing is something that affects everyone at some point or another.
There is just something so comfortable about remaining in the stuck. It’s familiar, it doesn’t require you to “put yourself out there”, it’s effortless.
But it also places you in a position that does not cultivate growth. It’s not somewhere you want to stay.
Fortunately, there are ways to move past the dreaded writer’s block.
So how do you get unstuck?
I like to start with unpacking the cause of my writer’s block. I always ask myself, “Why am I in this position in the first place?” And if I’m being honest, most of it stems from fear. Here are some common reasons for the mental freeze:
Fear that I don’t think I’m good enough
Fear that others won’t think I’m good enough
Lack of motivation from others
Lack of desire to write right now
Pressure to produce content, any content
What Not to Do
While it’s important to determine the reason for the mental block and acknowledge your fears, do not dwell on them. Good content – or any content – is not produced when you’re wallowing in the negativity.
Try to avoid distractions (e.g., social media, TV, saying yes to a hang-out, napping when you aren’t tired, you know the drill). These distractions are a sure way to avoid productivity and a huge form of procrastination.
Also, don’t wait to feel inspired. I am definitely guilty of waiting to find the “perfect time to start.” But unfortunately, that perfect moment usually never comes. (Besides, you don’t need to feel miraculously inspired to produce great content.)
Crushing Writer’s Block
So, how do you get the brain juices flowing and kill the block? These are not “fix-its” by any means, but merely recommendations that do work. You have to decide what works for you.
1. Dismiss the “Writer's Block Defeatist Mentality”
It’s a lot easier to give up on a difficult task than to spend the time and energy creating. But don’t let yourself accept writer’s block as the end-all, be-all. It is not a permanent place to dwell and it does not define you. You can and you will produce quality work.
Practice speaking self-affirmations. When you find yourself in the depths of defeat, self-affirmations will help you recognize the enormous lie that you’re unable to produce content.
It’s critical to dismiss the lie that you should just give up now. Believe in the truth that you do have the ability to complete the task at hand: to write. And to write well.
2. Forget the Intro
Whether writing a story, a report, an article, we feel the need to start with the introduction. This is not necessary! What you might be forgetting is that it’s sometimes more difficult to start with the intro (especially when you haven’t planned out the body yet).
It often helps to start smack dab in the center. Right in the thick of it all. The mentality that you must start at the beginning can be crippling and not all writers can devise a topic and write seamlessly from the intro to the conclusion. Start within the messy midst of the content, and the rest will fall into place.
Once you establish the main content of your work, it should be a lot easier for you to lead into and out of it from this point.
3. Do a Mindless Task
It helps to step away from the daunting task in front of you and do something requiring little to no effort (e.g., take a shower, go for a walk, clean the bathroom).
Do you ever practice confronting someone or have some sort of epiphany in the shower? If your answer is no, then this is awkward... because I do. I have written the plot to Waterworld II and meal-prepped for the next two weeks all while in the shower.
So many people have tackled writer’s block using this method. And it honestly isn’t that difficult. If you haven’t overcome your fear of conflict or written a song in the shower or on a walk, try it. You will be pleasantly surprised by the content you can create in these moments.
4. Pop Those Headphones in
Music is universally known to change your mood at the click of a mouse. It can sway you, literally. Find music that inspires you to write about your topic. Preferably nothing terribly distracting, but the beauty of it is that you have the choice of what you listen to.
If you were writing a fiction novel and were in the midst of a steamy romance scene, I’d suggest listening to some Hans Zimmer from The Holiday. What I mean by this is, choose the music to fit the mood. Chances are, the music will inspire you to feel a certain way, and you’ll be able to transpose those feelings into words. Then all you have to do is ride that soundwave out.
My personal favorite writing playlist can be found here on Spotify.
5. Escape the Confinement of the Four Walls
In my profession, and yours too, I spend the majority of my work hours behind a computer screen. It feels near impossible to get outside. We’re so busy in the office that we sometimes forget to open that front door. The sad thing is that there is so much inspiration to be found outdoors.
I thoroughly enjoy hiking. (Although realistically, every time I reach the trailhead, I forget why I enjoy it.) I usually dread the time it takes to slow my breathing and heart rate down, but I end up falling in love with each hike I force myself to take.
Why do I love hiking if it involves torture? Because it inspires me. If I find myself struggling to find words at home, I go on a hike. There is so much beauty when you make the conscious decision to go outside, and you might just be able to produce more creative content after clearing your head outdoors.
6. Find a Confidence Booster
In all areas of life, it’s beneficial to surround yourself with people who build you up. For me, that person is often my brother.
My brother is someone who knows me well and knows how to pull me out of a slump. If I ever find myself feeling stuck in my writing, I give my brother a call. He never fails to boost my mood and give me the energy to write. I generally leave these conversations feeling completely confident in my writing.
Find yourself someone like my brother. These angel humans are crucial to our lives. They encourage us to believe in ourselves which pushes us into action.
7. Do You!
Forget the audience for a moment. Forget who you are writing for and write for yourself. Write something you would enjoy reading and learning about. Write something that evokes emotion and creates a connection to the words. Write something you are proud of. When you enjoy your work, it seems likely that others will feel the same.
8. Get a Change of Scenery
Do you usually write from home on the couch? Guilty!
While writing from home is comfortable and familiar, it’s kind of nice changing up the scenery and writing in a public place, such as a coffee shop. The click-clack of typing on keyboards, the chatter, the espresso machines in the background is enough to stimulate the brain and convince the fingers to get work done.
I find that I am soooo much more productive when I change it up and go to a coffee shop for inspiration. It also provides a nice distraction when you need a short break.
9. Just Start
Start by freewriting. Freewriting is also known as Stream of Consciousness. It is such a useful practice because it takes you out of your head and allows you to impulsively write whatever words come to you.
There is no premeditation involved in freewriting and, better yet, no filter. It is way less time-consuming to revise after freewriting than to thoughtfully write.
Set a time limit, pick your writing space, choose a topic unrelated to your project, and write away. Don’t think, write. Give yourself anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes and see what happens. Chances are, you will be able to come up with something you didn’t know was there.
And this will get you in the right mindset to write what you need to. Freewriting is such a powerful tool because it gets you out of your head and allows you to write.
Not to minimize the writer’s block condition, but sometimes all it takes is just starting. It might seem difficult, but sometimes all you need to do is just write.
10. Or, Just Leave It to the Pros
Maybe you despise even the thought of writing. Or maybe you just don’t have time. That’s okay. I’m gonna tell you a secret: you don’t have to write if you don’t want to.
While this post isn’t promoting “giving up” by any means, there is something to be said about recognizing the value of your time. Some people actually write for a living. And they kind of dig it! So don’t be shy about not particularly enjoying writing.
If you’re a business owner who wants to get your name out there, but you absolutely hate writing more than life itself, leave it to me! I’m a personal finance copywriter who is here for busy business owners like you. Begin your voyage toward a stress-free life and schedule a consultation call with me here.