By Mari L. McCarthy
Writer's Block is an Opportunity
~ and Journal Writing Guides the Way
"When you have a disease, don't try to find a cure; find your center, and you'll be healed."Ancient Taoist proverb
The dreaded writer's block can indeed weigh heavily, the paralysis sometimes lasting for what seems an eternity. Most writers consider inspiration to be a wild, uncontrollable thing that threatens to abandon them at whim, leaving them blocked, frustrated, and empty.
But what if you turn things around a bit? What if you greet your latest case of writer's block with a smile and open arms? And why would you do a thing like that?
Just as a rainstorm clears the air, the darkness of writer's block can be the quiet space in which healing happens.
Writer's block descends upon us when we have gotten away from our center, our core values and goals, and we have slipped back into our old ways of living in our heads, stressing constantly, scolding ourselves for not being or doing enough.
Writer's block is the perfect opportunity to refresh, rebirth, return to the real You.
Having revised your attitude towards your blockage – or shall we start calling it your opportunity – any actions you take can be ones of discovery and encouragement, melting your despair.
So what, exactly, to do when you seem to be turning to stone and all roads are leading nowhere? Pick up your journal. Journaling locates our true self again and brings us home.
Some Journaling Home Remedies
- Dump on your journal. Just start writing and writing and writing for as long you feel like it. Do the same thing tomorrow and the next day, and so on, until you surprise yourself.
- Ask your journal a question. Use a civil tone. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, right? Use “How can I…” “What do I do…" or “Where in the world does this come from… "
- Write a letter to, or have a conversation with your Muse or your Inner Coach or someone you admire, someone who inspires and encourages you. Ask for their viewpoint and guidance. Let your writing flow from your careful listening to this person.
But how do you get back to the grand opus, the 'real-life' project or challenge you were working on when the monster block hit? It's all very well to journal your heart out, but that doesn't pay the rent. How can you translate your newfound inspiration to other areas?
Relax. The energy will transfer from your journal writing to your project without you having to do anything else. But if you're hesitant, take advantage of this moment to look back over all your journal writings. Do not look for answers, but let your writings inform you on whatever levels they wish.
It doesn't feel good to be blocked, but opening up to the opportunities that writer's block presents can actually result in the discovery of immense inner wealth and health.
Mari L. McCarthy is the founder of Journaling for the Health of It™. Mari's brand new ebook is entitled Who Are You? How to Use Journaling Therapy to Know and Grow Your Life.
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