When you just don't feel like writing...

Image by Lew Holzman via Flickr

As I sit lightly drumming the keys on my keyboard this morning, wondering what I’m going to write about, I realize that I haven’t been writing much of anything lately (lately meaning the last few weeks). Just a short while ago, I had no trouble plowing through a couple of pages of my work-in-progress, but lately I’m feeling bored – feeling a bunch of nothingness. This feeling makes me wonder what has caused this sudden loss of interest. Because, that’s exactly what it feels like – uninteresting.

 

Don’t get me wrong. I love to write. I’ve described it before as being very freeing. As a writer, you are limitless with opportunity for expression and creative ideas. So, why is it that we sometimes lose interest? I can state with confidence that it’s not that I’m tired of writing. I still have a desire to do it, but can’t seem to get myself back into the groove where things feel right. I also want to point out that this should not be confused with writer’s block, which means the writer can’t produce new or original ideas. Being unable and be uninterested are completely different. So, what is it then?

 

I don’t want to waste time talking about the whys. Whether it’s lack of motivation, stress, sorrow, sickness, or dare I say, laziness, every writer has days, or even weeks, when they just “don’t feel like it”. In situations like these, I can propose a few solutions that have helped me get back in the groove.

1. Do something creative. Most writers have other creative talents, whether it’s cooking, crafting, organizing, or some other artistic ability. When you’re feeling uninspired, doing something creative can help spark other creative talents again.
2. Take a break. It’s easy to become bogged down with responsibility and forget that we need some downtime. When our minds of full of everything else, it’s easy to put writing on the backburner. Even if only for a short period each day, do something that doesn’t require thinking, and just relax, not just your body, but your brain too.
3. Write. You’re probably thinking – What? Isn’t that the problem? However, the worst thing you can do when you don’t feel like writing is to stop writing. One day without writing can easily turn into two, and three, then four. Before you know it, you haven’t written anything in weeks. Even if only for 10 to 15 minutes, keep writing each day.

Do you have times when you just don’t feel like writing? What do you do to get back into the groove?