HOW TO: GET OUT OF A WRITING SLUMP PT.2

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Part one of this two-part series discussed how a vacation can help you overcome a writing slump. We reviewed the actual definition of vacation and all the places nearby that could inspire you to write. If you didn’t read that part, I’d definitely recommend it as I go deep into the meaning of a true vacation and only talk about that (https://thewritersblockkeanenglish.blogspot.com/2023/07/how-to-get-out-of-writing-block-pt1.html). In part two, I'll go over more tips and tricks on how to get over that slump in case a vacation isn’t accessible to you or in addition to that. You can incorporate these upcoming things into your everyday life. 


  1. Set the mood

It’s hard to motivate yourself to write if your environment is the same dull place you’re used to. Spice things up. What do you like to see, smell, hear? What are certain things/ objects that excite you? This can include a range of things from candles, tea, and nourishing food, to your favorite kind of music. You can even take it a step further and dress up. Imagine yourself showcasing your art or pitching your idea to someone very important. How would you like to look for that? Studies have shown that getting dressed up for the day, even if you’re not going anywhere, can encourage and make you happier. According to the Motherly article, psychologist Dr. Adam D. Galinsky states, “We think not just with our brains but with our bodies.” Clothes are an extension of yourself, it’s a form of self-expression even if you change from your pajamas into sweats. It’s still in your control. Adding all of these things to your environment is a form of control and is already a step further in productivity. Setting the mood can be as simple as going to the park for the day... a form of vacation (talked about in blog one) because sometimes all these things won’t work and you just need to completely change your environment and that’s okay. 


  1. Mood Board

If you read the first part and you’re like “What the HECK does setting the mood look like? What if I don’t know what gets me going??!” This next tip is for you. Mood boards. A mood board is a visual outlet you make, compiled of your favorite things, to bring your ideas to life and see what you might want something to look like. You can include other people's work that relates to what you’re doing to get inspired. You only add pictures that you like and intrigue you so it’s a collage of YOU. You’ll start to notice a pattern in your mood board which you could use to help you set the mood in real life or get the ball rolling on your actual idea. Sometimes mood boards are so effective in getting the ball rolling, that you might not even need to ‘set the mood’. They can also help in showing others your idea/s before you have it in physical form, allowing people to help you make your work come to life. The most popular platform people do this on is PINTEREST. 


  1. Collaborate 

You’re not the first person or the last to try doing things all by yourself. I’ve been a victim of it my entire life, especially when it comes to my creative outlets. There is no greater pride than when you’ve created something from the ground up, taken the idea from your mind, and made it tangible all by yourself. But, when you need help there’s no other way to get something done than to involve others. Community is one of the most accessible resources we have, yet we don’t use it. Connecting, networking, and collaborating with others allows you to see different perspectives and new ideas, and it gets things done much faster. Having another set of eyes helps in catching mistakes or adding something to what you thought was stuck or boring before. If you don’t necessarily need help, having someone just be there with you can help you stay on track. “Body doubling” is a term used to describe working with another person, each doing your own things but still using each other’s company as motivation to be on-task. It’s the simple concept of having and appreciating someone's presence, preferably someone who supports you. 


  1. Write ANYTHING

Forget your ideas, forget your tasks, plans, and deadlines, and just WRITE. If no words or ideas are coming to me, I grab my journal and write about anything. Even if it doesn’t make sense or pertain to what I’m trying to write. This could look like, “Right now I have no idea what to write but I’m trying anyway while I drink the same matcha I drink every morning.” Any practice is practice nonetheless and, who knows, maybe along the way, one or two pages down something relating to my topic will come up. Even if it’s just a word or a sentence. Sometimes, we need to show ourselves that we’re not incapable and that our hands still work. You can set a timer to write absolutely anything for 5 minutes to an hour, it’s really up to you. You can write this in any way you want. Say you want to write fantasy: you can have a sense of magic in the way you talk about looking at your tv. Or if you’re like me and love poetry, you can describe your matcha in a ‘poetic’ way, whatever that means to you. It could be as simple as writing nonsense but making sure your grammar is all correct. 


  1. Join a workshop

If all comes to fail, joining something that’s about what you're looking for teaches you a lot. My favorite workshop is Giselle Buchanan's writing workshop held for 4 weeks. It’s a workshop where you write, share, and collaborate with people across the world. She offers full coverage scholarships and discounted prices for those who need them. I joined when I was lost and going through one of the worst writer's blocks, it completely changed my life and allowed me to see my work from a non-judgmental viewpoint. There are also a lot of free/ discounted events hosted on Eventbrite on numerous topics. Your college, whether it’s a community college or Yale, has a great number of workshops, seminars, clubs, and lectures about what you’re looking for. There are many things accessible to you if you look and ask around, but you have to put the work in. 


Last, but not least, be proud of yourself. In this generation productivity culture can make you feel like you’re not doing enough but if you read this, you’re doing a great job to me. Between you and me, writer's block or creative slumps don’t exist, it’s just where you’re at in your life right now. It’s impossible to always create but I promise it’ll come eventually. Keep going!


Resources and articles:

 

Examples of mood boards.


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