10 Reasons You Aren’t Writing - Right Now

This story was originally published on A Freedom Place.

When was the last time you wrote something? (On your computer. For people to see. Journal, anyone?) The kind that requires penmanship or hunt & peckmanship. I haven’t been writing much. Well, publicly anyway. There’s been a bit of journaling and occasional list making (still technically writing!) of what I want to write. But I haven’t been doing what had become my normal consistently inconsistent writing, blogging or song writing. There are loads of reasons why you might not be writing — for now. Because you know you’re going to begin again soon, right?

1. You’ve Been Processing. You are a sponge. The data has been soaking in. The brain is processing what it’s been given and it’s taking a while spit thoughts out your finger tips. There’s almost literally nothing to write. No output because after the input you need to process, digest, mull over, chew on what you’ve heard, read, seen, and felt. Anything you try to purge before this probably amounts to trying to read Code or as anyone born before 1970 will tell you, the after midnight snow on the television set. You’re caught staring out the window in front of the expectant cursor. Someone pops their head in the door. Your are questioned. “What are you doing?” Your answer is: “Processing.” Then turn your gaze back to the window.

2. You’re Happy! No really! You are happy and you feel like painting the town rainbow! You are out blissfully taking in vitamin D, doing a few cartwheels in the park, volunteering at the animal shelter petting and walking puppies, eating pudding (because you’re happy!), jumping in salt water waves in the Gulf. And sometimes, when you’re really happy, you just don’t feel like writing. :)

3. You’re Blocked. Well this is the obvious elephant, ain’t it. No reason and no rhyme and it doesn’t matter how many excuses or lists or “pontificating” you put to it. The fact remains. Nothin’s comin’ out. There’s a big sign on the freeway and it says DETOUR. Did someone say something about your writing that hurt? Well Jesus rose again and, though on a smaller scale, you will too. Or perhaps you aren’t blocked. Perhaps you should see #1. Know the difference.

4. You Are Living Your Life. I realized many a pessimist or die-hard would say “That’s no excuse! Write about living your life!” Sorry, I ain’t buying it. Sometimes things, important things (like wiping your 3 year old’s butt, Your baby’s butt, or your Grandmother’s butt) just take precedence right now. Sometimes the timing belt breaks, sometimes you work overtime (a lot). Moved recently? Sometimes a myriad of things pile up and they are in line first.

5. You’re Changing Your Mind. You’ve decided you don’t want to write that anymore. You want to write this. And this grows into the Other Thing. But you are noodling with that new idea and perhaps that means you need to do #1. But this is a little different because you are driving in a new direction. So you shore it all up, take a breath, and click “new document”. This one doesn’t necessarily mean a long pause but it can. Changing your mind is certainly allowed as long as you aren’t excusing yourself from your love of writing (which can also be known as resistance and procrastination.)

6. You Are Waiting For It To Be Perfect. It’s never going to be perfect.

7. You’re Writing Something Else. This is really for you bloggers who have an expectant audience. Sometimes your exuberance and inspiration WILL NOT WAIT (all in caps) and you must use your fingers for different letters typed in a different sequence to be published elsewhere. (Even if just published in your diary.) So be it. The blog will still be there when you get back.

8. You Are Taking Long Hot Bubble Baths. It’s very hard to type in water. It’s very hard to write on paper in water. It’s even harder to enjoy your bubble bath while trying to write. So best just to soak. Especially if you’ve spend all day doing #4.

9. You got Married, Had a Child, or Someone Died. Momentous Moments. Writing is not more important than these things. Transitions, new life, lost life. Give yourself a huge break. Especially in the most grievous cases remember the words of Martha Beck: “Eat. Sleep. Go to the bathroom.”

10. You’re Blaming Others For Your Inability to Write. It’s no one else’s fault that you aren’t writing. It’s all in your head. You are in charge of your fingers. You know where the pens are.

10.5 You Are Comparing Yourself. Also known as self-judgment and “I’m not really a writer” syndrome. Stop it. God made you to be you. If God wanted you to be that person or write like that person God would have made you that person. God needs you to be you and write like you write. Get back to loving and accepting yourself just like God does. You. Will. Feel. Better.

Bonus! You Wrote Your Blog On The Blogging Site, Lost Internet…And The Blog. S&%#!!!! Never again. Type it in Word and paste it next time. Take a deep breath. Start over. You can do it. Many have gone before you.

The list could add up to more than 10 of course (and did). But be kind to yourself wherever you are in the process. Write about not writing. Write about being happy. Write about how you are afraid to write. Write about how angry you are that you feel you can’t write anymore because of X, Y, and the dreaded Zed. Or process, read, research, change diapers, and then write about that. But do be kind. Be very very kind. This is heart surgery after all.

Have more? Leave a comment. Warning: you’ll have to write to participate.