Why Your Creativity Is Blocked (And How To Unblock It)

However, there are some times where we simply don’t feel it. Experiencing a creative block can be very unsettling for a writer. If it lasts too long we can start to doubt everything, begin to wonder if writing really is our calling. If we can’t think of great ideas, aren’t feeling inspired, and we sit down to write, and nothing comes out, it can quickly become very frustrating and disheartening.

So why do we experience these blocks in creativity, and, perhaps more importantly, how do we unblock them?

You aren’t writing enough. If you leave too long between each writing session, it can be hard to get back into the swing of things. Sometimes something as simple as being a little stricter with yourself and writing every day consistently can help those ideas start to flow once more.

You have become stuck in a routine. If your life feels a little monotonous and mundane, this may be why you are feeling creatively blocked. Change it up, try something new, do things a little differently. Adding some excitement and adrenaline into your life may be just what you need.

You aren’t in love with your story. If you are finding writing a real struggle, take a look at what you are writing. If your own writing doesn’t excite you, it may simply be that you are not in love with your story and need to find a different angle, or even scrap it and start over. (Sorry!).

You have other things going on that are distracting you. While you may have notions of the brooding, heartbroken writer as the best state of mind to write in, we are actually at our most creative when we are feeling happy, settled and secure. When you feel stable, when you have few other niggles, worries or distractions, you have more freedom to let your creativity and passion flow. So next time you are feeling creatively blocked you need to focus on what is causing you to feel this way.

Are you arguing with someone you care about?
Do you have big things going on right now? Perhaps you have started a new job or are moving house?
Are you eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep?

Focusing on ways to be happy will make you a more productive and creative writer. Perhaps you need to work through an argument, get a bit healthier, or relax more. Work out your problems, try a new exercise routine or do some meditation, change your writing routine or be stricter with yourself when it comes to sitting down to write.

Everything is so much easier when we are feeling positive, including being creative. So give your creativity a boost and achieve more with your writing by figuring out the cause of your problems and addressing them first - you’ll soon feel creatively free, and your writing will come so much easier to you once you do!

Bethany Cadman -author of 'Doctor Vanilla's Sunflowers'