Sometimes I have trouble writing. I admit it. This weekend was one of those times. I had lots of blog ideas when I was journaling on Saturday morning. Then, later, I felt listless. I didn't write my blog draft. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist's Way and The Right to Write, would say I've been fishing my well too much and for too long. And she'd be right. I needed to open up my writing process.
But this weekend was different. I drifted into a more nurturing mode. On Saturday afternoon, I organized my Inbox and my task list, coding, filing, and deleting. I also washed my stockings, underwear, and blouses.
In the evening, I had dinner with my mother. Later, I came home and created some intricate doodles, letting go of the thoughts in my mind, and watching patterns of curves and dots bloom on the page.
On Sunday, I journaled again, walked around the block, watched two movies, and prepared dinner. I glanced up to see two small ducks gliding in circles across the pond in my backyard. I also re-read a chapter in The Right to Write. As Julia Cameron's peace enveloped me, and I began to feel spacious and inspired again.
Today, I walked at lunchtime, as I often do when the weather is pleasant. Thankfully, the previous days' rain and gloom had ended. Today was in the high seventies with low humidity. The sky was clear blue and sunny with scattered thin, white clouds. I stretched various muscles under a flowering tree in a garden by pink hibiscus. My mind cleared. Becoming curious, I wandered about for a few minutes, and examined some spiky red flowers in a tree I'd never seen before. After almost 14 years in Florida, when I stop to look, I still find it's a new world.
Tonight, after work, I shopped for food, took a short nap, and sat at my computer with a bowl of lentil soup and broccoli. After sorting and coding the day's emails, I wrote my blog draft. My writing process is open again.
Can you hear it?
Questions for Reflection and Comment
I invite you to share your answers in the Comments section today, so we can get some discussion going.
- How do you open your writing process?
- Are you working too hard on your business or your job AND your business, like I have been?
- What can you do to fill the well from your office or home or home office?
- Where can you go for longer breaks to get back in touch with nature?
- What gets you centered in body again?
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How to Start Writing When You Don't Feel Like it: Part I--Dissolving the Wall
How to Write When You Don't Feel Like: Part 2--Teensy Steps How to Write
Hi Ellen, Thanks for your comment.
I agree that stepping back is a great way to open up any creative channel. Nice story!
In order to write I need inspiration, and taking "me" time, getting out in nature, and spending time with Family/Friends helps. Meditation and reading other's inspirational messages also gets my creative "juices" flowing.
I also like to write about things that are going on in my life as well as I feel it comes across as authenic, and something that people can relate to...I think authenticity is one of the keys.
Ang 🙂
You're so right, Ang. After being knocked off course with several personal losses, I'm just getting back into my journaling and meditation routine. In fact, I joined an online creative women's group for support.
And reading widely gets my juices flowing, too. When I reread sections of the Right to Write last week, I found that my ideas came more smoothly.
It's also interesting how when I want to learn or say something, the right book just "happens" to come along.