Words, I mean.
Sometimes they ebb and flow.
It’s one of those days when my brain feels empty, and I don’t know what to say. Does that happen to you too? Because it hardly, if ever, happens to me. Writing is something that flows. A part of me which I’ve always been able to reply upon. It’s not something I need to overthink. It never lets me down, but today, tonight, at this precise moment, absolutely nothing is happening.
MY MIND FEELS NUMB.
And that isn’t normal.
I could chalk it down to insomnia the night before, and tossing, turning until around 3am. Sleep deprivation isn’t fun and can be a buzz creativity killer. I doubt it’s that though. Insomnia has plagued me since my early teens and I’ve always been able to function in spite of it. You know what’s funny though? The more I keep talking about why I have nothing to write, the more I’m actually finding something to write about.
Isn’t it ironic?
Don’t you think?
I’ve been reflecting on other times when writer’s block slapped me in the face. Like right schmack in my face, and what I did to extricate myself out of that wordless pit. Maybe they could be of some use should you find yourself in a similar predicament?
(a) I write random things on a new page. Random writing for 5 continuous minutes, stopping for nothing, not spelling nor grammar check. Just typing the first things that came to mind. It really helps. Unplugged. Unedited. Raw. Oftentimes, multiple new posts come to life as a result thereof, and that’s always a plus point.
(b) I wash my hair. Isn’t that odd? Washing my hair has a calming, therapeutic effect on me. I wash it when I’m stressed. When I feel as though the walls are closing in on me. When I feel frustrated. When the words refuse to flow. When inspiration appears to have taken a sabbatical. And, yes, when it’s dirty. It helps.
(c) I read. Mostly real life crimes and murder mysteries. I believe that by engaging my mind in alternative trains of thoughts, it helps breed a deeper well of ideas and thoughts from which I can reference when I revert back to writing about the more pleasant things in life such as fashion, life and style.
What do I do when all these tricks fail?
I WALK AWAY.
There really isn’t much else I can do. I switch off mentally and leave it alone. Forcing the issue when it comes to writing is an exceedingly counter-productive step because most times, what you’ve written under duress is horrid. Absolute rubbish. And you’re left with no recourse save to rewrite from scratch so why go through all that trauma? Just walk away and come back to it later. Much later.
Tell me, what do you do when writing becomes painful? Do you keep at it until something halfway decent makes an appearance or do you put everything aside for the time being?
Be honest now.
Love, Sheela
p/s photos by Sofia Touassa
I link up here.
Sheela Writes 
I love your outfit, Sheela, it’s so colorful and vibrant, definitely my cup of tea! I must say that my eyes just keep being pulled to those gorgeous booties, so fab! There have definitely been times when I’ve had writer’s block and I usually just walk away, take a break, and come back to either later that day or the next, which usually helps. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you’re having a great start to your week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
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Thank you so much, Jalisa, this is one of those outfits which came together purely from being hung side by side on the rack GRIN I got lucky, it doesn’t always happen this smoothly. Many times, my room would resemble a bombshelter or landmine before I get around to getting one look prepped for shoots!!! Likewise, my friend, I hope your week has been decent thus far xoxo
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I also love to read murder mysteries and find that reading does help with writer’s block. Interesting to hear that you like to wash your hair to help with the block. Hair washing is definitely therapeutic. I just like when someone else washes my hair for me, lol. Gorgeous sunnies!
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Oh me too, Cheryl!! In fact, when I was still in Borneo, I would go for hair washes at the salon every other day. They scratch the scalp and massage the neck and shoulders, absolute bliss. Sadly this is something which, apparently, isn’t quite the norm here in the States so I no longer go for regular salon washes (insert sad face). I just do it myself. And I forgot to add, sometimes I put on a sheetmask, close my eyes and just relax. Very calming too xoxo
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Hahaha! This post though!
Sheela, these pictures are so goddamn dope!
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Hey honey child, thank you!!! I got me a professional shutterbug 🙂
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Love how ready you look for Spring Sheela – and how sassy this look is which perfectly reflects your personality! Have a week as lovely as you!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
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Woohoo!! I like being called sassy so thank you, SO much, Rebecca!!! xoxo
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I try to keep a list of things to write about, though I tend to overthink my writing once it’s done. I’ll go over it and over it, change it and still hate it. Then I have to walk away.
I love the print on those pants and the boots! You have such an amazing style!!
~Lili
http://www.thefashionsalt.com
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Oh how organised you are, Lili. I’ve never kept a list of possible blog topics, I simply wing it when the time comes to put together a post. Usually I’d sit and look at the screen, and words would flow. And sometimes that just fails most dramatically GRIN
Thank you so much, Lili, I’m a big fan of yours too xoxo
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Love this wild eclectic outfit! So wonderfully colourful!
Writing is like anything else I do creative, you just gotta go with the flow baby. Often times I’m like you, I’ll start out, have nothing to say and then figure it out as I go along.
bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
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This has to be one of my personal faves thus far, Suzanne, I love how all the colours seem so completely the opposite of each other yet, when blended, meld harmoniously. Although I can’t understand how I could’ve forgotten that I even had that vest for so long.
When it came to creating jewellery and garments, it was a little different. I’d have a colour theme in mind or an inspiration, and then go from there. With writing, it’s just a matter of staring at the screen and waiting for something to happen. It’s really irksome when nothing happens hahahaha!!!
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I go shopping 😂😂😂😂
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Hahahahaha I like your method better, Robin xoxo
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oh gosh, when I can’t write, I walk away. Nothing will come and it’s annoying because I know it’s not my best work. If I really need to write something, I read things that are well written (i.e. not twitter or facebook) and see if any of those gets my creative juices flowing.
http://www.deasynoel.com
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Oooh that sounds like something I ought to try. Which genres appeal most to you, Deasy?
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Hi Sheela, Love your outfit especially the leggings and booties. I usually take a break when feeling like that. I also find washing my hair a very relaxing process.
Have a great day!
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
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I think I ought to have included (1) sheetmasking and (2) a full body massage (although this CAN take up far more time and money), Gemma, especially the former. It’s my go-to whenever I have any lupus or angioedema flare-ups. Insert sigh of bliss xoxo
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Those boots are fab! I tend to also just walk away and go do something else that will hopefully motivate or inspire me when the creative juices just refuse to flow 🙂 gutterlily
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Thank you SO much, Nadia, these were the very first my husband ever bought for me, 6 years ago and I adore them. Especially how they’re so punkish despite being pink 🙂
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Washing your hair is definitely an odd one. It’s not one I’ve practiced. I do write non stop without care for spelling and grammar and then I start correcting, that’s how I tend to overcome it or read as you said.
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Hahaha yes it most certainly is, Rania, but it’s akin to physically removing a load off my mind and my shoulders. I’ve noticed that, over time, the methods which appear to work best for me is walking away and, yes, hair washing 🙂 xoxo
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Loving your hair here, lady! Super gorgeous!
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
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A little secret – whenever you see my hair curled, it means it needs washing hahahaha xoxo
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aww I go through this sometimes too. Sometimes there just isnt anything to say I suppose. Anyway, you look gorgeous! And even when you have writer’s block, you photos are still lovely.
http://www.prettyinleather.net
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And your supposition is very right, Yuka, yet I can’t bring myself to publish anything without at least a fair measure of words. It’s a curse, I know 🙂 thank you so much!!! xoxo
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This outfit is my jam!! What a lovely combo.
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Thanks, babe!!!
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You are such a good writer & this post is a testimony to it! While I am on the other end of the spectrum..lol. When things are not working, I just take a break & do other stuffs. Then I come back later to take a fresh start. That way works better for me. Anyway, have a great week 🙂
xoxo Eva | http://www.evakindles.com
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Thank you very very much for saying that, Eva, I love to write, and have been writing since I was 7 years old, and I suppose that’s why when a block happens, it hits me very hard 🙂 xoxo
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I love your look! It is so eclectic! How do I deal a writer’s block? I do the same thing- I start doing something else and come back to writing later. 🙂
X
Miri
http://currentlywearing.com
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Sometimes that works for me too 🙂 like just the other day, I had absolutely nothing to write about then during an episode of Madam Secretary, a line the character’s husband said struck such a chord 🙂 my next post will revolve around what he said 🙂 xoxo
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Beautiful outfit – love the colors! Thanks so much for linking up with us today!
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Thank you so much!!! I love these colours too, very rich yet not too heavy for Spring xoxo
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This vest is something else! It must have the best movement!
– Ana Luiza
Northwest Blonde
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OMG yes, it certainly does!! And it’s light enough to wear all year long, thankfully xoxo
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I just love those heels. The height and color is so fantastic. Hope you have a great weekend!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
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Thanks so much, Shauna, my man bought them for me 6 years ago 🙂 xoxo
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Wow, those floral leggings are stunning! I like that you wore them with unexpected colors for an even more amazing look. When I am facing writer’s block, which is more often than I care to say, I continue to push through most of the time. As you mentioned, as I write the words somehow come. They may not flow as much as other days, but they are there.
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Thank you, Jennie!! These were like $6, I think? From Make Me Chic, and possibly the best $6 I’ve ever spent 🙂 isn’t writer’s block an absolute biatch, though, it hits when you least expect it, and when it hits, it’s a mind-numbing, well, block!! Grrr. There ought to be a law against it 🙂 xoxo
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Perfect colorful outfit for the spring, I really love it.
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Thank you so much!!
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Great leggings. I have a floral printed pair also that I love wearing in the beginning of spring!
http://michellespaige.com
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