Facing those Inevitable ROADBLOCKs
A Survival Guide for Creators
Published: April 18, 2024
But what happens when even the most committed professionals are unable to produce?
When they freeze, inexplicably finding themselves unable to write?
Oftentimes, it is due to thoughts like these:
Sound familiar?
The Truth About Creative Roadblocks
Guess what? You are not alone! Many successful writers acknowledge similar feelings of doubt, anxiety, and frustration.
Trying to sustain ourselves while at the same time insisting we must produce more is hardly a realistic solution. For beginners just starting their creative journey, these unchecked expectations can be disastrous.
Still, cranking out more work is often the go-to solution.
"Just suck it up," we think.
And it works for a short while.
But someday, not far off, the old methods of forcing yourself to write, hoping it will lead to something fruitful, will no longer bring about the results you desire. This demanding approach will make you miserable instead.
I know because I've been there. If you're still reading this, then you're also familiar with the excruciating torment of self-doubt and the number it can do on your mental and creative well-being.
A Personal Journey
Like so many budding authors, my writing journey started at a young age. But, inevitably, the responsibilities of adult life got in the way. Work and family responsibilities took precedent over what could only be conceived as a hobby at the time. (And anyone who's raised two children under the age of three while also working from home can surely relate to the never-ending fatigue of these circumstances.)
Several years ago, as my teens neared college age and I parted ways with my employer, the path to FINALLY write full time appeared before me. And it was glorious at first. I drafted two novels (you can check out a sample of my debut work The Prescott Diaries here) and worked as a freelancer for several online companies. I also began writing on Medium.
Because I was involved in so many projects at one time, it took time to learn the ins and outs of the platform and build a following. Consistency is a key facet of the platform, and where I struggled the most. I am not a consistent writer. Never have been. Yet, I trained myself to manage business publications on a timetable. (Go figure.)
Looking back, I recognize now the creative roadblocks caused by constant business writing. Having clear-cut objectives takes the emotion and decision making out of the process... But I need those to be engaged in my work. You might be different, preferring more rigid parameters as opposed to freewriting. Neither is right or wrong. It's all about finding — and accepting — those preferences.
A Trail of Roadblocks
I wish I could say my leap into personal writing was a smooth one, but roadblocks were evident there, too.
I'd make a commitment to post to Medium daily, and stick with it for a brief time, but the initial inspiration shriveled quickly under the microscope of demand. Daily turned to once or twice a week at best, and inevitably I lost interest in writing altogether.
Why is that, you think?
I lost my passion for writing because I removed the very thing that made it exciting: inspiration.
It really is as simple as that.
When more time is spent trying to perfect your work and determining where to publish it, the focus is no longer about the work itself. It's about satisfying a left-brained need for productivity when your right brain is screaming to ignore all that stuff and just focus on creating.
For me, writing must align with the ebbs and flows of my natural rhythms. Otherwise, I'm just throwing things together that lack value. And with that lack of value comes a complete lack of inspiration.
I know of several writers who crank out their stories and posts without fail. But I'd be willing to bet they do so because their writing satisfies a particular need within themselves. They are driven, and checking a box of accomplishment daily serves as their personal inspiration.
Me? Not so much. Not only am I an inspiration-driven writer, but I'm also perpetually restless. (Hence, The Nicheless Writer!) I jump into new projects with excitement and put them aside when I get tired or need a change.
The one saving grace: I tend to circle back and finish most of what I start. It just takes time to do so.
Right now, I'm reworking the novel I drafted prior to publishing The Prescott Diaries. While also writing a sequel and building this site. (Yep, I'm that person.)
Amanda Linehan talks about this circular approach, common to introverts, in Productivity for INFPs. I see this trait play out in my approach to everything, not just my creative efforts. My husband often reminds me that not everyone operates with a "jump from one thing to the next" mindset. For those who don't (like him), it's exhausting... Just like trying to live within predetermined parameters is for me.
My haphazard approach may sound bonkers to those who work comfortably within their established systems, but I've come to own it as what works for me. Demanding I write is one of the worst things I can do to my creative self. Sure, I might limp across the finish line with a milquetoast offering, but at what cost? I don't enjoy the process in this scenario, and trying to repeat it just amplifies those feelings of failure.
The Reality of Creative Roadblocks
Roadblocks are real in the creative realm, whether you want to label them burnout, inconsistency, laziness, or idealism.
But when you feel stuck, the response shouldn't be to push harder.
Instead, accept who you are — both the good and the bad —and use this information to guide you to a better process.
Second, step away from the trouble spots for a bit and focus on projects that can be completed in short order. Along with needing to write, you need to be productive, too. This can be as simple as cleaning your office or tackling a home project. Channel your energy elsewhere, preferably doing something that stimulates your creative juices not just wears you out.
Being productive is infectious. Just like athletes who are in "the zone," things hum along when you reach this threshold. You can't get there with mental force, though. You get there through action.
It's one of the reasons I keep multiple projects going. Shifting from nonfiction to fiction, say, stimulates my creativity and puts my focus on something I enjoy. This, in turn, renews my confidence. Sometimes, it provides the breakthrough I need to return to the original project with excitement.
If you're in a rut with your writing, cut yourself some slack. But don't just ignore the issue or try to forge ahead. Figure out why you don't want to write this particular piece.
Are you exploring a topic simply because it's trending?
Are you trying to write from a place with no mental or emotional connection?
Neither of these approaches will serve you well, and you're better off determining the reason for the resistance instead of bludgeoning yourself over the head with more expectations.
When you freelance for a living, internal resistance is but one of many roadblocks you may face. Oftentimes, you are being paid to write about something outside yourself, which may or may not reflect your current interests or tastes. These projects are the hardest for me, and I try to decline work that is too against the grain. But sometimes I use this insight to my benefit and tackle the task from a different angle. Instead of regurgitating facts, for example, I tie in an example or two. Finding a humanitarian angle keeps it in my wheelhouse (and also has the added benefit in today's world of standing against AI-generated fluff).
Acceptance and the Future
I know my creative cycle well, and I encourage you to figure out the same. Check out the resources page or the links within this article for guidance if you're struggling with any creative roadblocks.
Dissecting my own quirks and creative needs led me to a significant conclusion. My failure to create within a regimen is not due to a lack of development or commitment; it's an acceptance of my own preferences and limitations. By ignoring this when I first tried to tackle a full-time writing career, I set my efforts on a negative trajectory and only ended up frustrated and depressed.
Ultimately, I know what I need to write well. And demanding more of myself than I can realistically give is not it.
What beliefs about how you should write differ from your real-life experience?
Starting today, what can you do differently to change this and start eliminating your own creative roadblocks?
Step away. Center your efforts on something that offers a short turnaround time for achievement. If all else fails (and you have no obligations for completing the work) dump those projects you're trying so hard to salvage and start something fresh.
I did… And I feel closer to who I am as a writer (and a person) because of it.