In the case of writer’s block, there are no favorite students.
No exceptions.
No one above the law.
Writer’s block can affect practically anybody, even those born with ballpoint pens in their mouths.
And much as we know writer’s block can hinder every writer’s ability to write effectively and productively, it’s worth pointing out some factors that may contribute to writer’s block.
As a Chinese adage puts it, “If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will always endanger yourself.” In this case, the enemy is writer’s block and its ability to sap a writer of creativity.
While the first point presented below may not necessarily apply to everyone, recognizing that it can contribute to writer’s block is, I believe, taking one step ahead of the opponent.
Too much on one’s plate.
I have a confession to make. Before I found myself writing this article, I was suffering from a bad case of writer’s block. I was pretty much preoccupied. Overwhelmed, as a matter of fact.
I had my usual freelance tasks to think about, the laundry desperately calling out to me whenever I found myself in front of the kids’ room, thoughts of errands to government and financial offices, even my doctor’s office for a routine checkup that I had been postponing for a while now. And then, there’s the roof.
Dear me, something has to be done about that kitchen roof!
(Okay, that roof got me all emotional again, so let me just pause for a second here and heave a sigh.)
“If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will always endanger yourself.”
Given the many roles I play – full-time employee, freelancer, mother, wife, blogger – even if I were a creature from Mars or from some unheard-of galaxy, which I’m not, I recognize there are just so many things I can accomplish in a day.
If I dare be truthful now, my tendency to take on too much is something I have a lot of trouble unshackling myself from, which, more often than not, leaves me biting more than I can chew.
The solution
The solution is pretty obvious (and this applies not just to me now) – drop something out of your list of things to do.
If everything in your list seems to require your utmost attention all at the same time, this is where your prioritization skills step in. Your ability to consider your commitments against your short-term and long-term goals is what will save you from getting swamped to the point of exhaustion.
Further reading: 5 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block
Remember, dropping something out of the to-do list involves the ability to delegate where possible, too. Since thinking about the roof makes me emotional every time, if I have one iota of self-preservation left in me, it would be wise to leave the roof to my husband to think about, right?
That way, I can concentrate on my writing and other tasks.
Conclusion
Like an ordinary balloon, we can’t pump more air than is required into our system. More air can make the balloon bigger, yes, but to a certain extent. Once the limit is reached, more air will cause the balloon to burst, reducing it to nothing more than lifeless rubber.
In the same way, our minds and bodies can only take enough. More than that, we will be rendered limited in our ability to give a task – writing, in this case – our best shot.
“All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.” – George Harrison
Image courtesy of thaikrit / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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yeah, it is important to be organized by prioritizing duties, and doing short term duties first before long term duties in order to be productive.
Right you are, Fifileigh. Thanks for your input!
In case of writers block, I shake things up or do things out of the blue just to break the monotony and reactivate my creative juices.
I do that a lot, too, Franc. And I must say, it really works!
Nothing brings back creativity like breaking the monotony.
Right you are, Franc!
Excellent points. We can’t do everything even we belong to the super moms out there lol… We should give our husbands their jobs. Good writing and thanks.
Thank you for the kind words, Montoya. The world is a better place when husbands do their jobs, isn’t it? Thanks for coming over today!
No one is immune to the writer’s block. That’s why I jot down all the ideas that pop in my head. When I can’t think of a topic to write about, I did the ideas from my reserved list.
When it comes to writer’s block, there is no such thing as immunity. Yes, jotting down ideas help. Sad as it may seem, ideas fleet in and out of our consciousness. It’s best to capture them while they last. Thanks for visiting, Rizza.
Everyone can write but not everyone is writer. I am not very good in writing so I always battle with the elusive writer’s block but manage to get over it by taking a break and going out for a while. From there, I can get ideas on what to write next.
I agree. And like Franc said, nothing brings back creativity than breaking the monotony.
wow you are a super mom! I can’t believe it, I am still single, I only blog when I feels like it, watch tv and sort pictures or chatting with my bf during leisure time.. hehe. Now we are thinking of starting a family, well good luck to me! For sure things will turn upside down.. haha for now I will just enjoy my free time! 😉
Good for you, Violy. Some people don’t have the luxury of time to watch TV and do other stuff, especially when they have too much to work on.
In my opinion, I think it’s right that you and your boyfriend are taking the “family project” slow and easy. Like they say in Tagalog, “ang pag-aasawa, hindi parang kanin na isinubo at iluluwa kapag napaso.”
Thanks for coming by!
They say it’s nothing but an excuse but it does happen…when it hits me I usually go about an hour out running, to freshen my mind 🙂 Works all the time!
Maybe I should try running to beat writer’s block, too. Thanks for dropping by, Marie!
clear your mind and take a break .. that is my style whenever i have this writer’s block …
Nice style, Dennis!
I have to take your points into heart, as I am a freelance writer myself and have completely experienced having ‘writers block’ sometimes. I actually like your attitude — I really thinks it’s a matter of delegating certain responsibilities. The brain is in fact, not meant to multi-task. I learned more about the truth in that while watching an episode from NatGeo called Test Your Brain. 🙂
Thanks for the kind words, Mai!
I’ll go check that Nat Geo episode online. I have to watch that, too. 🙂
wow.. i felt the same way.. sometimes its hard to squeeze your creative mind when you are preoccupied and with other tasks that should be done in and out of the online world. thanks for this post.
Creativity just flies out of the window whenever something troubles me. Thanks for dropping by, Janine!
This is the most sensible idea I have read today. You certainly pumped some sense into my tired mind as everything seems to be calling for my attention all at once.
I’m glad it helped, Teresa. Thank you for the visit!
yup, just focus on something and work the other one in your next article… that will do the trick. Yahweh bless.
Thanks for your input, Ralph!
Everything that is OVER is not good… We can only think better if we are not forcing our mind to ramble with many topics that will simply jeopardize our own skill or whatever talent we have.
I agree 100%. Thank you, Marri, for visiting!
your a great mom and a good writers.
I do what I can, Lanie. Thanks for visiting!
Maricel, At first I was fearful of writer’s block but now I have learned to embrace it because it is a fact of life.
Just like our mother’s say “If you do not have anything nice to say do not say anything at all”.
Sure it is about talking people, but if we change the wording to fit blogging it would sound like this “If you can not write a good article do not write anything” or something like that.
I love the Chinese adage and the one quote at the end. You covered a subject every blogger has a problem with from time to time.
I chose my subject because it has many avenues to go down and I love the communication it creates.
If a person can not talk about ethics they probably do not practice them much.
Hey, Michael, I would have to agree that if a person doesn’t like to talk about ethics much, then yes, he/she probably has something not good going on in the ethics arena.
Me, too, I love both the Chinese adage and the George Harrison quote.
Thanks for visiting!