Writer's Block Feels Real and Can Instill Fear in Every Blogger: You are not Alone, We all Get it

We all have those moments.

I’m having a moment of “writer’s block”- or maybe if I’m honest a week or so of it. As part of my learning process into reaching the goal of “living the dream” (mine anyway) I’ve sought out the knowledge and experience of others, especially regarding writing.

One expert blogger said there’s no such thing, writer’s block is a mindset. Maybe, or maybe not. But I think I’ve figured out the root cause of mine: overwhelming myself with what a blog should be and so much expert advice.

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Image by Lukas Bieri from Pixabay

So how do you overcome writer's block? Acknowledge it.

I started FreeAt50 with no real purpose other than to organize the thoughts I’ve been typing into paragraphs and learn not only how to blog, but how to “master” WordPress and any other technology that might help feed my future- or more precisely feed ME in the future!

For me I've ditched Wordpress a long time ago - now it's Groove!

I quickly realized what I already knew about myself, I tend to over-analyze and the best way to learn will be to “do” instead of getting caught in a hamster wheel of preparation. So I got in the right mindset and made this blog public. And boom. #TheBlockSetIn.

All of a sudden, I felt the pressure to do what all the blogging teachers preach: bring value. And the fear of the mental block stopping me from writing great stuff.

Give yourself a break and beat the block, that's what I do.

Well I’m giving myself a break and going back to the reason this thing is posted: to learn, track my journey and, being true to myself, stay free of the stresses and pressures of the corporate life I just blessedly left. #mindset

Then maybe, this “blocked” thing will dissipate and I will get more thoughts shot out through my keyboard and onto my GrooveBlog template. Hopefully in the process, some of y’all will get some value even if it’s only to know you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed, overly analytical, or slightly exhausted.

All things that are OK to feel and that you’ll move past.

One thing I've found that really helps is a workcation. I'm updating this post in December of 2023 because I wanted to add a link here- to my steps on planning a workcation!

Looking back, remembering my why, and moving forward to unblock.

Where I was headed in September from my initial plan to take a break from traditional "work" to take a deeper dive into things I’m passionate about? I wasn't sure [it's when I originally wrote this article] and that is totally OK.

Now as I update this in 2021, I am more sure.

Last summer, I worked with a business owner on a strategic plan for her business and her team (which I loved and thought on how to template into an online business), I stepped up my restaurant reviews for www.fooddrinkmagazine.com (which may or may not be profitable at some point), and I started a business account on Pinterest for FreeAt50 (where I’m pinning, saving and organizing ideas to help me live the dream).

Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay

Imperfect action and going with the flow = progress.

Updated to 2021, I even have a Facebook group based on this blog. I have been embracing imperfect action, encouraging others while being encouraged and it all helps as I navigate life outside corporate.

So for today and every time I get blocked: #GettingUnblocked by taking a break. Maybe planning to binge some TV with the man in my life. Maybe cooking or going for a walk out in nature.

Definitely it was about posting this blog as I wrote out my thoughts, even though it’s above 10 on the Flesch-Kincaid reading level scale instead of the recommended 8!

Author's note: this post was originally published September, 2020 and updated on August 16, 2021, with the most recent additions on December 17, 2023.

If you want help getting organized and over writer's block, I've created a new offer to help others on the pursuit of happiness in writing! Click here.