I Couldn't Write and It's Ok

What steps do you take to find relief during ‘the test before the testimony’ stages of life? In the past, I could always turn to my journal as a tool to decompress from life’s stressors. But in the last year or so I hit a wall. I could not write. I struggled to unwind on paper in the same fashion that I had done so many times prior. Every time I set the intention to journal, I found a way to sabotage that plan. Now, I understand that my subconscious avoidance was intentional, because I did not want to acknowledge the harsh reality of the way the world had changed around me. However, I was reminded how much joy writing brings me, and I decided to develop a plan to get back to what I loved doing the most.

Has this been your experience? Have you found yourself stuck and unable to write when you needed it the most? Well, it is ok! At times you might fall short when it comes to engaging with impactful self-care via writing. However, you must give yourself grace and make it a point to reconnect with this activity, so that you can feel re-aligned.

During my stagnant writing period, I reflected on how writing promotes mindfulness. Personally, writing helped me decrease anxiousness, draft solutions to unexpected problems, and practice ongoing gratitude. But even with these reminders, I still struggled with engaging with the act of writing on a routine basis. To start re-establishing my writing routine, I took a few intentional steps.

Brain Dumps: I started making quick lists of my ideas and thoughts. My goal was to re-ignite my love of journaling, so I wrote down thoughts whether they were complete or incomplete. Perfection was not my focus. I started doing this as a part of my morning routine and it helped me start my days with greater clarity.

Re-Vamped Planning: Instead of simply using my planner as a place to list ‘to-do' items I started incorporating gratitude notes and bible verses. This practice inspired me to stop throughout my day to reflect on my daily blessings.

Phone Notes: If I was going to get back into my writing routine, I had to write whenever I felt the urge. I found that writing in my phone's notes app provided a platform for me to quickly write down my thoughts.

Prayer: My spirituality is nothing I attempt to shield because it is a major part of who I am. Therefore, I knew the importance of praying about this area of my life that was very much off balance. My prayers inspired me to write again.

 With consistency and following through, I was able to get back into my writing practice. If you are struggling and inconsistent with your writing time, I encourage you to implement a few of the strategies I used to get back on track.