Writer's Block

Last updated Jan 16, 2025

As with Creativity vs Productivity, I try to embrace the block and do some creative work instead. Writing is supposed to be hard. If you go on and get over the first 10 minutes (Ultradian Rhythm), you will get into the flow and Deep Work again.

Another way of saying this is Quality vs Quantity. Before you get stuck, you’ll feel it; you just switch to quantity and push out easy, fast writing. It could be going from a long blog or book to a note on your second brain, or just Journaling. Or read something, watch a YouTube, compress it, Tweet and share it with your audience, and come back. You’ll be unblocked and have lots of ideas. Your brain will subconsciously, while you do the other thing and relax, work on your quality piece. ^6dbb01

What else can we learn from writer’s block? Have clear Strategy and Goals that brings you Clarity and instead of adding, subtract (RW Subtract Derek Sivers) first.

There is no talking block, only writer’s block. Jonny Miller

Interestingly if we change Medium, we can unblock it:

• Talk a walk in nature
• Change environment. Go to another room, a coffee shop, or what works best for me, Libraries.
  • Also, changing your environment on the computer, e.g., changing from dark to light mode, or changing the theme, can give you a sense of change and fresh energy.
• Listen to the same playlist over and over again, or use Focus@Will
• Timebox yourself (Pomodoro Technique). Work in the train so the battery will drain or change places during the day.
• Change between Visual (draw a MindMap, Obsidian Canvas, Draw ExaliDraw, Talk)
• Go forth and back the pendulum with Creativity vs Productivity
• Try to get into the same habit when writing (same place, same music, etc.). Your brain will know its need to write before you even start. The Pre–Game Routine can help as well.
• Journaling for a while (see 📓 Daily Template)
• These are also similar to Deep Work and How I get into Deep Work (Deep Work)

Also, alike Creative Block, add boundaries, constraints, and all of a sudden Ideas flow. Unlimited freedom is super blocking, especially for creativity.

Great read on the very topic: RW If You Have Writer’s Block, Maybe You Should Stop Lying.

I do nothing

When I don’t have inspiration or I have a block, I do nothing. I live. And it’s absolutely because of the deeper inspiration that I’m blessed to feel. I feel it’s been cultivated. I’m connected to it, and I know it’s real, and it doesn’t have to greet me every day. I know it’s there.— Jon Batiste

For to unblock, you can unblock or rest in Different Types of Rest.

Lots to learn also on Four Thousand Weeks, Time Management for Mortals - Oliver Burkeman and discussion in the podcast with Four Thousand Weeks, Time Management for Mortals - Oliver Burkeman.

Acknowledge that Writing is Hard. Writing is like Programming, it’s problem-solving. That’s why it’s hard to code and after that write in the evenings, as both are trying to solve problems. Said by Brandon Sanderson in Bonus Episode: Originality, Writing and Career Fulfilment with Brandon Sanderson - Deep Dive with Ali Abdaal | Podcast on Spotify.

Origin: What is Time
References:
Created 2022-08-18