HOW TO CURE WRITER’S BLOCK
There are currently over 4 billion people in the world today living with Writer’s Block. It is a common illness that has affected many lives, most commonly those within the artist community. Contrary to popular belief, it is contagious; even thinking about Writer’s Block increases the chance of infection by 50%. With scientists still scurry for a cure, many have turned to self-medication, using alcohol, marijuana, and other mind-altering substances as treatment. Fortunately, I have developed a 3 step process to permanently rid yourself of this affliction. Here’s what you need to know:
1. There is no such thing as “Writer’s Block ”.
The first step to getting over your Writer’s Block is to understand that it does not exist. At the very least, stop saying you “have it”. If you don’t have an appetite, you wouldn’t declare that you have a case of “hunger block”, now would you? It’s important to realize that sometimes you simply have nothing to say – and that’s ok.
Think of inspiration as a stray cat that comes to sit on your lap; chasing it won’t do you much good. And remember that every great story is written by the heart before the hand. In other words, you don’t have writer’s block. What you have is impatience.
Don’t we all…
2. Don’t chase inspiration; just run.
Now just because you’re impatient, doesn’t mean you need to meditate under a tree for days until the holy muse graces you with an enlightened idea.
Many times, the reason why you aren’t creating the material you desire is that you can’t shake off the mental rust covering it. Like muscles, the quickest way to get rid of lactic acid in your thoughts is to engage them. In other words: write. Write about anything. Create momentum. Have fun (dare I say?) The way to unblock something is to shake it free: this involves action.
The best ideas often come to me in the middle of creating, not prior to. Whether it be a poem, song, or article, I usually discard hours’ worth of work just to build upon a single phrase or melody I discovered in the process. This is how it works. If you don’t start paddling, you’re not going anywhere.
3. Stop writing in a classroom and start writing in a playground.
What if I told you that “Writer’s Block” is just another convenient term we use to keep ourselves from venturing down the road of vulnerability? The number one reason why you aren’t writing is that you’re simply afraid to.
Without tackling this issue, the other two steps are useless. The problem is that most of us have been conditioned to write in a mental classroom where our work is constantly graded and judged. We have an imaginary teacher in our minds hovering over our work, commenting on every imperfection as we write. The weight of social media doesn’t help either. We no longer create for enjoyment, but for approval. This is the kryptonite to all creative endeavors and meaningful art.
Instead of a classroom, immerse yourself in a playground where you can freely express yourself for the sake of expression.
If you wish to be free from the overbearing teacher in your mind, then stop working and start playing. Whether you are simply enjoying yourself or affectionately pouring your heart out, your unfiltered expression is the open door your muse has been begging to enter. The more you engage with this playground of thought, the more your capabilities will pleasantly surprise you.
The problem is that many of us think we can’t write to begin with, or that we have nothing of value to say. We must realize, however, that is not our inadequateness that we must cure, but our illusion of it. The only way to do this is to create in an environment without judgment, without fear, and without labels.
So forget about being a writer, and write.
