Overcoming Writer's Block, Artist's Block...all the "blocks"
Happy Sunday, my foxes!
Block, block, blockety-block.
If only creative block were like legos and we could use all of the “blocks” to build. Instead, writer’s block, artist’s block, creative block, etcetera, usually serve to stifle and stem output. Well, I’m tired of eating blocks for breakfast! I want to be prolific in my creations, no matter what.
Here’s the thing, sometimes blocks manifest regardless of idea abundance. You know me - I have plenty of ideas! You’d think that with so many ideas I would perpetually be creating. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Sometimes I get stuck. Suffering from a block can be like having a huge piece of lettuce wedged in between my teeth without any floss, pick or toothbrush available. I’m distracted until I can get that sucker out. No progress can be made while that infernal leaf infiltrates my teeth! 🦷🌿🦷
So what can we do to return to our normal, productive, creative state? Remove the obstacles! Destroy the blocks! Pow, pow-pow! Here’s how:
Step 1:
The first step is to identify the block. Blocks take up emotional and mental bandwidth. They obscure and distract from our true callings. The simplest way to identify the block is to acknowledge what your mind is spending the most time on. If there’s a leaf in your teeth, your tongue will always return to it. Same with a block and your attention. The block could consist of an insecurity, a fear, a lack of information, emotional trauma, or other concerns or even interests.
Step 2:
The second step is to handle the block. By “handle” I mean interact with it, directly. The block has been in the back of your mind and now it’s time to bring it forward. Deal with any emotions, thoughts, and practical realities associated with it. Take action on the block. Do something physical regarding the block, like writing down your feelings, making a calendar appointment to spend time on it, or sharing with a loved one.
Sometimes handling the block feels like jumping on a hamster wheel of emotions. Don’t worry, it’s not a treadmill headed nowhere. The wheel will slow and you will steady as you process the block and turn it to dust.
Step 3:
Even if the block is not fully obliterated, you can take a turn on the third step. Create again. Breathe again. Live again. Do again. Pick up the tools of your trade, of your hobby, of your dreams, and practice. Enjoy the peacefulness of your process. Free yourself of judgment with respect to your output and feel free to make whatever you desire. This step is the final release and return to whatever “normal” may be.
I have to tell you that this advice, this process that I’ve devised, is simply derived from the things I tell myself. I am immersed in a creative profession, so I have to deal with all kinds of blocks on a regular basis. My output requires so much creativity that I feel forced to focus on hard things that I might otherwise leave buried. I cannot create when I am so burdened.
My latest block arose from emotional trauma. Just a couple of weekends ago, I unexpectedly lost my grandfather.
His passing doused my budding 2nd trimester pregnancy energy, and brought me to a creative halt. Perhaps the right diagnosis would be that I’ve been “emotionally clogged.” As you know, I haven’t written for a couple of weekends (sorry), and I also haven’t been painting with any kind of regularity. I finally realized that before I could resume any creative endeavor, I would need to actively process his passing (step 2).
I’m still processing, but just like handling a sharp object over time can dull its edges from drawing pain, I now can focus more on good memories rather than crying when I think of him. Practicing step 3 meant that I needed to try to write this newsletter. I had tried the past couple of weeks to write one, but wasn’t able to get anything of substance out. Now that I can talk about what I’m dealing with, I’ve finally been able to find words that make sense on paper. Well, you tell me if they make sense. 😅
All that said, thanks for being here and letting me work on my block with you. I hope that this newsletter helps you with your blocks, and that it finds you well.
Three cheers for my lovely foxes,
“Write hard and clear about what hurts.”
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