Do you ever just sit down and… you have no idea what to write, or create, or even do? Well, you’re not alone.
I sat down to write this week’s newsletter, opened up my little idea folder, and… realized I hadn’t prepped for this week with an idea. “I have no idea what to write,” I realized, and suddenly recalled one of my good friends (who also releases a weekly newsletter) saying something similar several to me weeks ago.
“I have nothing to say,” he bemoaned via text, to which I responded with an emoji of disbelief. “You have SO MUCH to say!” I continued. “You always have something to say! Heck, you could even just write about not feeling like you have anything to say!”
And so… here I am, following my own advice.
Seriously, though, when we feel like we “don’t have anything to say”… what’s really going on?
- Maybe we have something to say but are afraid to say it — or afraid of any consequences or blowback from saying it.
- Maybe we are terrified that what we write won’t be “good enough”.
- Maybe we are feeling depressed, or diminished, or not worthy or smart enough to say anything worthwhile.
- Maybe we didn’t get enough sleep last night, our nerves are shot, or we’re burned out from a big conference call or project earlier in the day.
- Maybe we are undecided about which topic to write (a.k.a. “decision paralysis”).
- Maybe we need some tea or a snack, or a walk to get our brain going.
- Maybe an evil sea-witch has taken away our voice.
How we feel is integral to how and what we write and create. And if you don’t feel like writing or creating, you have two options:
- To stop, put away your supplies, release yourself from the responsibility, and go rest.
- To push forward and create anyway.
Now: neither option is objectively good or bad. Okay? I want you to know that. Rest isn’t the enemy, and “pushing through the pain” isn’t always a good idea.
But there is always something important to talk about. Something that needs to be discussed in your unique voice. You may feel any of the bullet-pointed items above — you may be tired, scared, or really down on yourself. But you will never have nothing to say.
You only have to figure out what’s in your way.
Words & warmth,
Sarah