Getting over a writer’s block

The whole of last month was very unproductive for me – I could neither write nor design or even complete and launch my next collection. I had a bad case of both writer’s block and beaders block put together – ugghh!! As a result I was bored even when I had a lot of work to do and uninspired even when surrounded by beautiful supplies.

Getting over a writer's block

Getting over a writer’s block

In my attempt to break out of this mould I read inspirational quotes, signed up for bead swaps, made lists and took up new projects but to my dismay nothing helped. It was then I realised that both jewelry business and blogging are hard fields. They will take a toll on you at times. You’ll feel bored, irritated and tired especially if you have other responsibilities apart from these two like having a job or raising a family. It will be particularly frustrating when people who know absolutely nothing about the field comment on how simple it is to Design or blog as “everyone does it”!! On a humorous note here are a couple of postcards I made as a reflection of my situation.  I posted them on my facebook page – sayuri and it went viral. Do tag, pin them if you like to.

Tips to overcome a writer’s block

You can travel, try a new hobby, take up a refresher course, taste a new cuisine or wine (and make a night out of it) or join up challenges and contests to come out of you zone but sometimes acceptance is the best solution.

  • Accept your limitations and count your blessings.
  • Get help – people are willing to help you, you just have to ask. and then there are so many online courses that you can take to make yourself better for self help is the best help.
  • Prioritize – there is no point in being stressed over everything. Move things around, reschedule and give yourself a breather
  • Be impulsive – Do something (safe) that you have always thought of doing but never did (I don’t mean jumping into a fire pit)
  • Don’t think of everything you do as a potential money making opportunity – business experts would disagree with me but thinking of everything you do as a potential money making opportunity can rob you of your sanity. Every course you take or every supply you buy or every post you write does not have to churn out money. I am guilty of this but I have been trying to change.

Getting over a writer's block

The solution

What did I do? I took some rest – for a couple of days I did nothing, postponed the launch of my upcoming collection by a couple of weeks and let everything be, which made me feel better.

We, those who freelance or work from home or are our own bosses impose stricter deadlines on ourselves. We do due to the fear of drifting away,  procrastinating and doing nothing. And those self imposed rules end up torturing us more than a tyrant boss. In those times, we have to step away from the boss’s role into an employee’s shoes. We need to take time off for the sake of preserving our sanity. As my mom says – it pays to learn the art of doing nothing!!

Getting over a writer's block
Cat Image: Porbital / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do you ever encounter mind blocks? What do you do to get over them?

Getting over a writer’s block  is part of the How to: series

Take care and stay safe at home
Cheers

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14 responses to “Getting over a writer’s block”

  1. Radhika avatar

    Jewelry business is not easy divya you are doing really a great job dont know how you manage all the work.. Hatsoff!! ..yes Divya I do encouter mind block many times in short time of blogging since I didnt even complete 1 year of blogging.. but you are great Divya as you are handling business, designing,blog n family.. I overcome by taking a break and think to do something new .. 🙂

  2. Little Treasures avatar

    I do have blocks from time to time, but then I tackle so many things that I completely detach from what is blocking me and go work on other things (I do embroidery, bead, sew, draw and paint, read books, watch movies, clean the house – just to name a few 🙂 and that usually serves as a good vent so I get back fresh to whatever was blocking me with some new ideas / perspective.

  3. Divya N avatar

    Thank you for sharing – painting and cleaning are great ways to vent

  4. Divya N avatar

    Thank you for sharing – it is tough and at times I am completely blank but its fun at other times

  5. motidana avatar

    For me whenever I`m feeling lazy or uninspired , I usually spend time just going over my bead stash . One thing that I enjoy immensely is the feel of beads running through my hands . And I just love to open out all my bead boxes on the bed and admire the beautiful color and texture of these tiny little things. I find that doing this always perks me up , making me dive into my next project !

  6. Michelle L. avatar

    I'm glad you took a little break! Great tips, my dear. I love your graphic, made me laugh!

  7. Renee Huggins avatar

    I take breaks too. It really helps me remember that this can be fun when I let it. Thanks for linking up at #theultimateparty today!

  8. Dee M avatar

    Great post! I think it's harder to work from home than most people realize, and breaks are definitely necessary! 🙂

  9. Tricia avatar

    Oh those moments when the inspiration escapes me we so tough. But with a little rest and recharging and a little something different, it always comes back!

  10. jekarentaylor.com avatar

    Jewelry is so tough, but so rewarding! Keep going! #sitssharefest

  11. Divya N avatar

    I love doing that too 🙂 in fact I spend a lot of my designing time just admiring stuff

  12. Divya N avatar

    ya every design field is tough but that is what keeps it interesting

  13. Divya N avatar

    at home, we are working all the time, early in the morning uptil midnight but its not taken seriously compared to a reg 8 hour office day

  14. […] my last two posts on rose garden color palette and getting over a writer’s/beader’s block posts? Well, in them I had talked of how I was trying out lots of new things, coming out on my […]

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