Dear Writer’s Block: You Tried. I Won.
No hacks, No pressure — Just 8 gentle ways I started writing again.
Hey friends,
We don’t talk enough about the invisible wall that writers slam into: writer’s block. It’s like your brain suddenly hits a pause button you didn’t even press. And no matter how many cups of coffee you drink or how long you stare at the blinking cursor, the words just won’t come.
I’ve been there — more times than I’d like to admit.
But instead of forcing myself to “just write,” I took a different, gentler route.
Below are eight subtle, almost invisible ways I navigated my way back to writing. There were no fancy hacks, no boot camps, just honest shifts that helped me rediscover the joy of creating.
1. I Stopped Chasing "Perfect" Starts
I used to obsess over crafting the perfect first sentence.
Now? I start.
Sometimes it's gibberish.
Sometimes it’s just a bullet point.
But once I get going, the clarity arrives. The truth is: rough drafts aren’t meant to be pretty — they’re meant to exist.
2. I permitted myself to Be Boring (At First)
Not everything I write needs to be profound or poetic right away. I let myself write "boring" now — because it’s easier to edit a dull paragraph than to stare at an empty page.
3. I Took Walks Without Podcasts
I used to fill every walk with a podcast or an audiobook.
Now I take silent walks. That silence? It’s golden.
It lets my brain roam. That’s when ideas creep in — not through noise but stillness.
4. I Revisited Old Notes and Forgotten Drafts
Buried in my notes app were thoughts I’d once jotted down in a rush of inspiration. Revisiting them reminded me that I have ideas—I just forgot where I kept them.
Some even sparked new stories.
5. I Talked About Writing (Without Writing)
Sometimes, I’d call a friend and say, “Hey, I don’t know what to write.” Just saying that out loud relieved the pressure.
A few minutes into the conversation, I suddenly had something to say again.
6. I Switched from Laptop to Notepad
Typing made me feel like I needed to be “productive.”
But a pen and paper? That’s play. It allowed me to scribble, doodle, ramble — and strangely, that helped the honest thoughts pour out.
7. I Stopped Trying to Write Like Everyone Else
I was subconsciously mimicking my favorite writers' tone, structure, and rhythm.
But once I leaned into my natural voice—a bit messy, a bit reflective, and often humorous—writing became easier and more me.
8. I Wrote for One Person, Not the Internet
Writing for "everyone" felt paralyzing. So I started imagining one person—a curious friend, a fellow creator, a kindred spirit.
It made my writing more personal—and ironically, more relatable to everyone who read it.
Final Thoughts
Writer’s block isn’t just about words — it’s about fear. Fear of judgment, of not being good enough, of wasting time. But the block didn't stand a chance when I stopped wrestling with it and started being gentle with myself.
If you're stuck right now, don’t push.
Pause.
Walk.
Scribble.
Whisper your thoughts.
Your words will find their way back — I promise.
Feel free to share this with a fellow writer or creator in a slump if this resonated with you. And hit reply if you’ve found your subtle ways to get unstuck. I’d love to know.
Until next time,
– Anshul ✍️