When you blog regularly, sometimes, you ran out of topics to share or you experience the so called “blogger’s block”. I personally don’t believe it really happens so I dig a little deeper as to why most writers say that and I’ve come up with a couple of suggestions.
Picture Source: http://goo.gl/ZuzYLl
By knowing the reason of the “ blogger’s block”, we as writers can find ways to avoid them and a solution if that happens
1. Lack of Sleep – most writers write during wee hours when everybody is sleeping and the environment is quiet. So most of the time, bloggers don’t get a quality sleep. In order to be able to find the ideas free flowing, I suggest enough rest and try to set a routine as much as possible. We’re creatures of habit and if we’re used to sleeping early, our body can adapt to it.
2. Too much work load – when we’re all weary and often cramming for time because of work overload, it affects the flow of ideas in our brain. We can only do so much and if we try to give our brain more work than it can handle, we also suffer. Try to balance work and leisure to give our brain a little rest and recreation. You’ll feel the fresh gush of ideas and words seem to be floating on your head after.
Picture Source: http://goo.gl/VzYm2M
3. Hunger – never ever work when you’re hungry. Just like a machine, our brain needs food and can hardly function well when undernourished. As a writer, we often feel hungry and we need to feed. Proteins are our brain’s best friend so get more protein-rich foods. Refrain from junk foods and give yourself a healthy meal every time and you’ll see what difference can it make.
4. Lack of exercise and recreation – recreation and exercise are the two things that may go separately but may be best if you do them together. As the body will need “FUN”, it also needs “SWEATING” activities on a regular basis. It doesn’t only burn fats but it give us a healthy lifestyle, too.
5. Thinking of something else – when our mind is thinking of something else, most probably, we can’t think of another! Imagine when you’re heart broken and feeling so sad, it’s hard to write happy thoughts or may really be impossible for some! Same as when you’re on a date and thinking of someone else. It’s hard to concentrate, right? You have to set a time for yourself and for your blogs separately. When it’s time to write, just think of what you’re writing and nothing else. Or no one else, I guess? 🙂
Picture Source: http://goo.gl/0yJEDZ
6. Pressured – what are the things that pressures someone? Problems? Deadlines? A nagging partner? A family problem? Whatever that might be, when you sit in front of your computer to write, leave all things behind. Best way to do that is to watch a short motivational video in Youtube or read a couple of good quotes. These will keep your mind off of things and help you find the inspiration and focus you need .
7. Not happy at work (for whatever reason) – sometimes, we have hang-ups or complaints about work or life. It just happens and it’s inevitable. There are times that we can do something about it and there are times that we can’t. when that time comes, just sit back, close your eyes, make a lot of deep breathes and sip your favorite drink (in my case, it’s iced-coffee), then say a short prayer.
If you can talk to someone, vent. If you can’t, write it down or blog about it. Just don’t make any decisions while you’re not in the best mood. Feelings cloud our ability to decide and most especially, to work.
If you’re still feeling bad, go out and do wwhat pleases you. If you want to clean up the whole house, do it. If you want to watch a movie, go! If you want to play with your dog or just play with your kids (if any), do it. It’ll make you feel better and it will remind you of your purpose. Look at your vision board and say. “I can do it!”
Picture Source: http://goo.gl/q8lM3X – cat
8. Not interested in your topic – make it interesting! I just advised someone today that if you’re not inspired, find your inspiration. Same thing with interest. Find something that will make that topic interesting. It’s only when you did, that you’ll be able to make a good copy.
I’ve written all the suggestions I can think of to avoid writer’s block and that’s also the same reason why I don’t believe it myself because I know that we can always do something about it. For every problem, there’s always a solution. If there isn’t, why waste your time sulking? 🙂
I could definitely see myself in half of your list items. Being relatively new to blogging, there is that fear that no one cares what you’re writing. Good food for thought.
Thanks, Dianna! I also experience that sometimes, nobody cares about what you write and then I found out that it just needs to be seen by more people to get noticed. Sharing your blogs really pays off. 🙂
These are all excellent way to get over writer’s block! I also find that going out, weather permitting of course, helps me a lot. Fresh air seems to give me fresh ideas! Being hungry as well….best of have fruit or snacks around to help overcome this. I really enjoyed your post! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Alexandra! Appreciate it.
these are great points. I do get bloggers block every once in a while. Not very often though
Thanks, Veronica. You are a very lucky girl not to experience that often…Hope nobody else has to.
Thanks for sharing super practical tips! No more excuses!
Welcome, Gina. Yes, no more excuse not to blog. Lol!
I agree with these. I have a huge workload most of the time so sometimes I do get “bloggers block” because I’m so focused on other work.
What I normally do, Ashley is I make a list of the “to do’s” and check them one at a time as I finish them. That way, I won’t have to “eat the elephant in one bite”..
All of the above, Pamela! I know for me it makes a huge difference in how I perform daily task. We need to take good care of ourselves and in reality it is not always our top priority… I’ve learned to listen to my body, when it wants a break, I take it! 🙂
Love that, Norma! When your body wants a break, take it! Need to do that, too and I have to be strict on that! Lol!
I believe I’ve experienced every one of those writer’s blocks. You covered the major ones and they are so real when they are happening. There are those times that you just have to go ahead and do it but for the most part it is best to take a break and give yourself some space in order to get back to it and be productive. I have even had to scrap what I was trying to write and start all over… that has helped at times. Great article!
Oh, yes, Pat! And deleting everything for me is the hardest part but sometimes, words wouldn’t just sound right. And when I doubt, I just close my eyes and hit “delete”! Works every time for a better copy. Lol!
Great points. When I get “bloggers” block I get up and move around, read other blog for inspiration. It normally clears if I just let the thoughts flow.
That’s right, Heather! Or you can watch a video, too. 🙂
Becoming a committed blogger means breaking through that impressive list of stumbling blocks you shared, Pamela. I’d guess we all hit at least one of the obstacles–whether too tired or too distracted or too something–each time we sit down to write an article. The only solution I’ve found is to not allow myself ANY excuses. By hook or by crook. Come hell or high water … 😉
Lol! Hell or high water! Nice one, Sharon!
A lot of times I get stuck with #8- Not interested in your topic. My solution- pick your ideal clients. 🙂
Lol! Pick your ideal clients so you can get your ideal topics! Nice, Jien. Thanks!
I am currently having trouble and working on #s 1 and 5. And I believe they’re related. Having a toddler and an infant in the house will surely bring you sleepless nights (and days, at that). Yes, they also make you think of something else while you write your pieces.
Oh, I can imagine that, Franz. Good thing we don’t have one yet. 🙂
I can relate to a lot of these points. Especially when it comes into time management and feeling under pressure to write something in an allotted time.
I’ve started to try and relieve myself of the pressure and just let it flow. An average blog can take between 20 and 40 minutes, so I tend to just hide my clock so that I’m not watching the minutes pass by and then I’m done when I’m done. Which usually results in me getting the post finalized within the 20 minute bracket rather than the 40 minute one.
Great post and thanks for sharing.
I got that, too, Michelle! I normally hide my clock so I can focus on what I want to say rather than making sure I won’t go over my/client’s budgeted time. I always ends up writing a better copy. 🙂
I can relate to some of those. I do need to get out more and exercise always helps me get into a better frame of mind.
Reading a quote or a book right before a blog helps me also. Great tips and awesome insight. Keep posting!
Thanks, Katrina! Other’s thoughts like quotes or stories from a book indeed gives us better ideas! 🙂
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