I am not a doctor, psychiatrist or therapist; I am just an everyday joe who himself struggles from anxiety, panic attacks and depression, so any advice I am giving you isn't professional or medical one but rather from personal experience.

Everything that I am going to discuss is my personal experience and experiments with anxiety, panic attacks, depression and how I try to keep them at bay.

Cooking vs Eating When Anxiety Hits

When it comes to anxiety and depression, the wrong step that I took or my mind unconsciously took was eating. Eating was something I did to soothe myself, which led me to do a lot of emotional, stress and distress eating. The more I ate, the more I felt at peace, but none of it was permanent or long-term; food gave me an instant dopamine release and a fleeting moment of a quiet mind.

What I would suggest instead is cooking. I know not all of us love or even like to cook, but even making yourself a simple sandwich can be very relaxing and gratifying. When you choose to cook, you also choose to be mindful, and the act of cooking itself gives you solace.

Re Watching a Movie over Doom Scrolling

Doom scrolling can be such an anxiety-driven activity; those 30 seconds of dopamine that it gives with every passing reel aren’t good but rather an addiction that can make your anxiety peak, or worse, it can end up giving you anxiety.

A better alternative will be re-watching a movie, a movie that you have already seen before. The benefit of a re-watch is you know what's going to happen, so it never makes you anxious, and the cosiness of an already loved movie makes you feel a warmth that keeps your mental health at bay.

An Activity as Meditation

For me personally meditation can be very tough; I have never been able to do it properly or with the dedication it needs to be done. Quite frankly, my anxiety-ridden brain procrastinates a lot for me to be able to meditate.

Pick up painting, sketching, gardening, doodling, or anything that puts you in a zone of mindfulness and meditation. Such activities can be just as good as closing your eyes and focusing, as you focus on one thing that you can enjoy with all your concentration.

Make Your Space Little Green

With the research powered by Google, I have found that greenery can truly help with your depression, anxiety, or any other mental health issues.

Now I am not that great with deep research as of now for me to understand and tell you why it happens, but I do know that the greenery of plants can bring depression down and heal you in many ways.

Have you been daydreaming a lot? And we have this question: Why do I daydream so much? It’s a common psychological phenomenon and is called maladaptive daydreaming. The name sounds sinister because it can be very dangerous if not controlled immediately.

What is Maladaptive Dreaming?

In layman’s terms, maladaptive daydreaming is when someone spends a significant amount of time lost in their daydreams, so much so that it negatively impacts their day-to-day life. We need to understand that these daydreams aren’t fleeting thoughts or moments of planning your future during the day. Rather, maladaptive daydreams are vivid in nature and immersive. Such daydreams involve intricate storylines, characters with personalities and often background stories, and plots that run far and wide, mirroring a fiction novel. The person with maladaptive daydreaming experiences them with the utmost intensity, their fantasies can feel as real as their actual lives.

Why Do People Develop Maladaptive Daydreaming?

People with maladaptive daydreaming develop such a world as a means of escape from reality. It serves as a way for them to cope with stress, anxiety, or other emotional pain. This elaborate world created within becomes the space for solace and peace.

However, such coping mechanisms can become problematic. People end up spending hours of maladaptive daydreaming every day in these imagined worlds, making their grip on reality weak. The more time people spend daydreaming about this constructed reality, the less they tend to engage with the real world, which leads to poor performance at work or school, neglect of personal relationships, causing those relationships to fail at times, and disengagement from daily life.

People develop the habit of maladaptive daydreaming in their childhood, and it can stay with them late into adulthood. Maladaptive daydreaming is commonly associated with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, or trauma.

For example, if someone has experienced a traumatic event or an event that has been emotionally distressing to them, which can cause PTSD, they can retreat into daydreaming as a way to cope with the stress, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings. This creates a vicious cycle where the escape from reality through daydreaming becomes intensely enticing and addictive, furthering such people from the real world.

Personal Struggle with Maladaptive Daydreaming

We are now coming to a real-life story of how maladaptive daydreaming can negatively impact a person’s normal functioning both at physical and cognitive levels. I was 13 years old when I started slipping into such daydreaming. The brutal bullying, which went from being verbal to physical, and sexual abuse at the same age pushed me towards severe depression. Our society at large does not take such incidents happening with men or women in the correct sense; there is a lot of shaming and blaming involved towards the victim, and being a male member of the human species, I felt the fear of being emasculated by other men at the same time when I realised my sexual orientation was different from what was acceptable as the norm of society.

All these traumatising factors combined, and I developed the habit of daydreaming that I could live an authentic life without fear of judgement, being able to talk to people about my trauma, who I created in my head, and an escape from the sadness that was in my life. Slowly and eventually, I went from daydreaming to maladaptive daydreaming, I lost touch with reality, and I hated the reality that I would spend 70–80 percent of my waking hours maladaptive daydreaming. All of it became so bad that it affected my education, my career, and my inner self up until the age of 30. I was able to control the maladaptive dreaming with the help of a psychologist.

What Does Psychology Say About Maladaptive Daydreaming?

Despite the negative impact of maladaptive daydreaming on human experience, maladaptive daydreaming isn’t recognised by the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) or the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases). The lack of recognition of maladaptive daydreaming by such institutions makes it hard for people suffering from it to receive the help that is needed in such cases.

However, there has been growing awareness and research about this condition, largely thanks to the work of psychologists like Professor Eli Somer, the first to describe it as such.

Help Available for Maladaptive Daydreaming

Therapists use a combination of therapies to help with maladaptive daydreaming. Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help the person going through it understand and unlearn the pattern that leads to excessive daydreaming.

A lot of times, mindfulness and grounding techniques like square breathing, can be beneficial in helping people stay connected to the present moment.

Additionally, and most importantly of all, is addressing the underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, OCD, or PTSD.

Conclusion

We all tend to daydream about a lot of things: our careers, love, friendships, and my favourite food. But we have to be conscious of the thin line between daydreaming and maladaptive daydreaming.

People don’t realise when they cross that barrier and slip deeper into the imaginary world they created to escape reality.

My hope with this blog is to help you understand the negative impacts of excessive daydreaming and what it can lead to.

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most celebrated artists of our time, and he will continue to be so for generations to come. He created some of the most magnificent pieces during his lifetime. The Starry Night, Sunflowers, Irises, Wheatfield with Crows, Café Terrace at Night, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear, The Bedroom, Almond Blossoms, The Potato Eaters, and the Portrait of Dr. Gachet are some of his most renowned works.

But his grand, mesmerising, and magical work was marred by his tragic life tale. Van Gogh struggled with severe mental health issues, which started in his adulthood around the age of 20 and troubled him for the rest of his life until he died by suicide at the age of 37. Van Gogh’s mental health issues were complex and taxing. Throughout his life, he struggled with episodes of depression, anxiety, and psychosis, manifesting as erratic behaviour, self-harm, and his ultimate demise after he took his life. The reasons for his mental illness have been a long debate amongst scholars, but we aren’t here to discuss that. What I want to talk about is the romanticisation of his struggles and disorders by people to serve their purpose of few clicks and clouts.

Van Gogh’s art ricochets with deep human emotions, which has been a daunting task for many artists. So it seems tempting to attribute his artistic ability to his struggles with mental health. The “tortured artist” myth is quite alluring to be told and thought about, but by doing so, people often look over the daily struggles of Van Gogh because of these mental illnesses. Was his illness the source of inspiration for his art? Maybe. But it was his inspiration to tell his story, as it was also a burden, the weight of which he couldn’t bear. If you celebrate something about Van Gogh, then celebrate him as an artist; celebrate his art, not his psychological torment.

Mental illness is not a source of artistic inspiration or a mark of genius; it is a serious, often life-threatening condition that people struggle with every minute of the day. Such issues need people’s concern, understanding, empathy, compassion, and support, not their habit of hiding them under the flowery words of social media posts on World Mental Health Day for a few likes.

Romanticising Van Gogh’s mental health can perpetuate harmful stereotypes about mental illness. It can suggest that suffering is a necessary component of creativity, or worse, that mental illness is a prerequisite for artistic greatness. This not only trivialises the experiences of those living with mental illness but also perpetuates stigma and misunderstanding. It’s also worth noting that while van Gogh did create some of his most famous works during periods of mental turmoil, art was not simply a product of his suffering. He also created art during periods of relative stability and happiness, using his work as a means of expression and exploration.

While Vincent van Gogh’s life and art are undeniably intertwined with his mental health struggles, it’s essential to approach his story with empathy, understanding, and accuracy. Romanticising his experiences not only does a disservice to his legacy but also perpetuates harmful myths about mental illness. It’s crucial to portray Van Gogh’s story in a way that honours his artistic achievements while acknowledging the complexities of his mental health.

Growing up in India I was never deprived of folk stories, bedtime stories, epics or bedtime epics that were told to us by our mothers and grandmothers over the course of many nights.

A country where folk tales aren’t just stories, but they are our culture, tradition, part of religious teachings, and tales that ring with truths of the past.

Being a reader you always reach a point where you want to read those tales of your own with all it grandeur and mysticism, I started my journey with Abhigyan Shakuntalam, and I was blown away by the whimsical yet realistic weaving of the story of Shakuntala by Kalidasa. Reading took me on a journey of discovery which I want to discuss with you today.

Abhigyan Shakuntalam

A lyrical masterpiece created by Kalidasa between the 4th and 5th centuries, the story revolves around Shakuntala, the daughter of sage Kanva.

One day while picking flowers in the forest Shakuntale meets Dushyanta the king of Hastinapur as he is crossing the forest with his army. King Dushyanta, enamoured by the beauty and grace of Shakuntala falls in love with her, and Shakuntala falls for King Dushyanta. They marry each other by exchanging garlands (Gandharva Vivah) and consummate the marriage.

King Dushyanta is called back to the kingdom, promising Shakuntala his return. As he marches to his kingdom, Shakuntala goes to Rishi Kanvas ashram. While there, Shakuntala is lost in the memories of Dushyanta, she forgets to greet Rishi Durvasa, known for his anger, and curses Shakuntala that she will forget about the person she is lost in thoughts about. After learning of her marriage Rishi Kanva sets out with Shakuntala to meet Dushyanta as he never came to her.

Shakuntala is heartbroken after Dushyanta refuses to recognise her because of the curse of Rishi Durvasa, Shakuntala goes back to the ashram. Later Dushyant finds the ring that he had given as a token to Shakuntala in the mouth of a fish, remembers everything and goes back to Shakuntala.

This is a gist of the lyrical masterpiece written by Kalidasa, one of the most beautiful creations of Sanskrit literature, that survived the testament of time, this story has been etched into the mind of every Indian so much that the story is being told to every generation. Story of great discussion among literary artists and even being told as a bedtime story to children.

Over the centuries, Shakuntala has been translated into many languages, earning praise across the globe, and hypnotising readers with its craft, creativity, and opulence.

There are many such epics written by Kalidasa and many other Indian authors that I have read and yet to read. While I was reading the English translation of. Abhigyan Shakuntalam, I started wondering about the existence of other such literary works from other countries and cultures, specifically Asian literary epics. I started my research and stumbled upon many that I want to read and share with you. I will be writing individual blogs about each of them, but in this blog, I want to talk about the stories I am going to read over the next few weeks.

Literary Epics from Asian Countries

Japan – “The Tale of Genji” by Murasaki Shikibu: This classic Japanese novel follows the life and loves of Prince Genji, offering a glimpse into the court life of the Heian period. It is celebrated for its poetic beauty, intricate narrative structure, and exploration of themes such as love, beauty, and the transience of life.

China – “The Butterfly Lovers” (Liáng Zhuān): A Chinese legend about the tragic romance between Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, who are prevented from being together in life but are transformed into butterflies so they can be together forever in death. The story is a symbol of enduring love that transcends even death.

Korea – “The Story of Chunhyang” (춘향전): A popular Korean folk tale about the love between Chunhyang, the daughter of a courtesan, and Mongryong, the son of a nobleman. It is a story of love, loyalty, and the triumph of true love over adversity, set against the backdrop of traditional Korean society.

Vietnam – “The Tale of Kieu” by Nguyen Du: A Vietnamese epic poem that tells the story of Thuy Kieu, a young woman who sacrifices herself to save her family. The poem explores themes of love, loyalty, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Thailand – “Phra Aphai Mani” by Sunthorn Phu: A Thai epic poem that follows the adventures of Prince Aphai Mani as he searches for his beloved Princess Suthon. The poem is known for its vivid imagery, engaging storytelling, and exploration of Thai folklore and mythology.

Indonesia – “The Legend of Malin Kundang”: An Indonesian folktale about a young man who is cursed for betraying his mother and becomes a stone statue known as Batu Malin Kundang. The tale explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of one’s actions.

These tales, while distinct from “Abhigyan Shakuntalam,” share common themes of love, loyalty, and the human experience, showcasing the rich storytelling traditions of East Asia and Southeast Asia.

Language has always been a means of expressing various emotions, such as love, sadness, grief, and loss. It has been used to depict the beauty of nature, rain, summer, spring, and other things, as well as the darker aspects of human greed, corruption, lies, and betrayal. In the English language, stories, dramas, and plays are used to convey these feelings, but poetry is considered the most beautiful and creative way of doing so.

What is poetry?

Poetry, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, encompasses literary work that amplifies the expression of emotions and ideas through the use of a distinctive style and rhythm. It encompasses both individual poems and the genre of literature as a whole. However, my interpretation of poetry delves deeper. Poetry is the art of articulating one’s innermost thoughts and feelings in a lyrical, rhythmic, and creative manner. It’s about conveying emotions metaphorically and collectively, often in a beautifully chaotic and thought-provoking way. It’s a form of expression that encapsulates the beauty of language and the depth of human experience.

Formats of poetry in the English language

Sonnet:

A sonnet is a 14-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. Sonnets are often associated with themes of love and nature. There are two main types of sonnets: the Petrarchan (or Italian) sonnet and the Shakespearean (or English) sonnet. The Petrarchan sonnet is divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), while the Shakespearean sonnet is divided into three quatrains (four lines each) and a final rhymed couplet (two lines).

Limerick:

A limerick is a light-hearted and humorous poem consisting of five lines. Limericks have a specific rhyme scheme (AABBA) and are often known for their witty and nonsensical themes. They are meant to be fun, often featuring clever wordplay and humorous situations.

Free Verse:

Free verse is a form of poetry that does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This allows for greater flexibility and creativity in expression, as poets are not constrained by traditional poetic forms. Free verse poems can vary widely in structure and style, making them a versatile and expressive form of poetry.

Ballad:

A ballad is a narrative poem that tells a story. Ballads are often set to music and are characterized by their simple language, rhyme scheme, and repetitive refrain. They are meant to be sung or recited and often feature themes of love, tragedy, and adventure.

Elegy:

An elegy is a poem that mourns the loss of someone or something. Elegies are often written in a formal and reflective tone, expressing feelings of sorrow and remembrance. They are a way to honour the memory of the deceased and to express grief and loss.

Ode:

An ode is a lyrical poem that celebrates a person, event, or object. Odes are often written in a formal and elevated style, praising the subject and expressing admiration. They are meant to be a form of tribute or homage, expressing deep feelings of love, admiration, or reverence.

Villanelle:

A villanelle is a 19-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and repeating lines. Villanelles often explores themes of obsession, loss, or longing, using repetition to create a sense of rhythm and continuity. They are known for their complex structure and lyrical beauty.

Acrostic:

An acrostic is a poem in which the first letter of each line spells out a word, message, or name when read vertically. Acrostic poems can be fun and creative, as poets can use the acrostic form to convey hidden meanings or messages within the poem.

Concrete Poetry:

Concrete poetry is a visual form of poetry in which the arrangement of words on the page is as important as the words themselves. Concrete poems often create shapes or patterns that reflect the poem’s theme, adding an extra layer of meaning to the words.

Sestina:

A sestina is a complex form of poetry consisting of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a three-line stanza called an envoy. The same six words end the lines of each of the six-line stanzas, but in a different order in each stanza, and all six words appear in the envoy. Sestinas are known for their intricate structure and challenging form.

Pantoum:

A pantoum is a form of poetry with a specific structure where the second and fourth lines of each stanza are repeated as the first and third lines of the next stanza, creating a pattern of repetition. Pantoums often explore themes of memory, time, and change, using the repetitive structure to create a sense of continuity and reflection.

Terza Rima:

Terza rima is a form of poetry consisting of tercets (three-line stanzas) with a specific rhyme scheme (ABA, BCB, CDC, etc.). Terza rima is often used to create a sense of movement and progression, with each tercet leading naturally to the next, creating a flowing and rhythmic effect.

Epic:

An epic is a long narrative poem that tells the story of a heroic figure or event. Epics are often grand in scope and scale, incorporating elements of myth, legend, and history. They are meant to be epic in both their subject matter and their poetic style, with lofty language and epic themes.

Cinquain:

A cinquain is a five-line poem with a specific syllable count per line (2, 4, 6, 8, 2). Cinquains are often used to create a snapshot or capture a moment, with each line adding to the overall image or feeling of the poem. They are concise and impactful, making them a popular form of poetry for poets looking to convey a strong emotion or image.

Virelay:

A virelay is a mediaeval French form of poetry consisting of stanzas with a specific rhyme scheme and eter. Virelays are often set to music and are known for their lyrical beauty and musicality. They are a form of poetry that celebrates the beauty of language and the power of music to move the soul.

Sestet:

A sestet is a six-line stanza, or the last six lines of a sonnet. Sestets are often used to conclude or summarize the poem’s theme, bringing the poem to a satisfying conclusion. They are a form of poetry that allows poets to sum up their thoughts and feelings in a concise and impactful way.

Narrative Poetry:

Narrative poetry is poetry that tells a story. Narrative poems often have a straightforward and chronological structure, with a focus on character development and plot. They are a form of poetry that allows poets to explore complex themes and ideas through the lens of a narrative, making them a powerful and engaging form of literary expression.

Conclusion:

Poetry is a diverse and rich form of literary expression that allows us to explore complex themes and ideas creatively and artistically. By understanding the different forms of poetry writing in the English language, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of this art form. Whether you’re writing a sonnet, limerick, free verse poem, or epic, remember that poetry is about expressing yourself and connecting with others through the power of words.

Are you inspired to explore the world of poetry? Try writing a poem in one of the many forms discussed in this article. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or new to poetry writing, experimenting with different forms can help you discover new ways to express yourself and connect with others through the beauty of poetry.

Greetings, fellow aficionados of the written word!

As a content writer immersed in the diverse tapestry of writing for over a decade, I’ve come to cherish the multifaceted nature of this craft. Join me on this exploration of various writing forms, each a splendid brushstroke on the canvas of human expression.

Fiction: Creating Realms and Realities of Your Own

Create something detached from reality, but attach your reader to the real world. The world of fiction writing allows you to write about the impossible. With fiction writing, you can create a world where anything and everything you want is possible.

Step into uncharted territory with fiction. Don’t just write about fairies; write about fairies who wield swords and have wings made out of shrape-edged leaves that can be used as weapons in times of need, or about a dragon who breathes flower petals instead of fire. Write your reality — a world others want to be a part of.

Craft a sprawling epic larger than life or a sweet love story that feels personal to everyone. From fantasy’s soaring dragons to the gritty realism of social critiques, fiction lets you explore every facet of the human experience.

Different Formats for Your Canvas:

Novel, novella, short story, poetry, script, and graphic novel

Opportunity:

Have you ever dreamt of becoming an author and crafting compelling novels that captivate readers? Whether you aspire to publish with a traditional publishing house or take the leap and self-publish, the world of fiction writing is waiting for you to unleash your creativity.

Non-Fiction: Narration-Compelling Realities

Non-fiction writing allows you to narrate real-life incidents, people and their stories, historical events, events from the present, and the possibility of the future.

It is for writers who crave facts and want to engage with the world around them. Show other people the reality of and around them with compelling and gripping storytelling.

Non-fiction gives you a medium to motivate and inspire people and help them with finances, mental health, fitness, motherhood, fatherhood, boyhood, sexuality, and gender identity. Everything that exists, is happening, or is going to happen can be your topic of information.

Different Formats for Your Narration

Essays, articles, biographies, memoirs, instructional books, and research papers

Benefits:

Unlock your mind’s full potential with non-fiction writing! Sharpen your critical thinking skills, master the art of research, and gain a deeper understanding of complex issues. Experience the thrill of discovering new insights that will inform and inspire you.

Poetry: Make the Words Dance in Rhythm

Not all great stories are told in prose. Poetry captures the essence of stories in lyrical language and rhythmic beats. Poetry has the capability of condensing emotions, feelings, thoughts, and truth, singing your story with beautiful metaphors, and whispering truth beyond the reach of everyday life.

Different Melody of Poetry:

Sonnets, limericks, free verse, haikus, and epics

Benefits:

It helps hone your language skills, cultivate emotional expressions, and heighten sensory awareness.

Short Stories: Tiny Tales Told

This is a testament to the mastery of your storytelling, as short stories are bigger stories condensed into small writing, where you show a different world, create characters, and tell compelling tales in paragraphs.

Different Tapestries for Weaving Tiny Tales:

Flash fiction, micro fiction, novellas, and long short stories

Benefits:

Develops plot structuring skills, hones character development, strengthens pacing, and teaches concision.

Opportunities:

Publishing in literary magazines, writing for anthologies, and participating in online short story competitions.

Essays: Exploring Ideas with Depth and Flair

The essay is your intellectual playground. Here, you delve into arguments, dissect concepts, and weave persuasive narratives around ideas. Master the art of logic, evidence, and eloquence, and become a thought leader who shapes conversations and challenges perspectives.

Formats:

Argumentative essays, expository essays, analytical essays, and personal essays

Benefits:

Develops critical thinking skills, strengthens research and argumentation abilities, improves writing clarity and structure, and informs and persuades readers.

Opportunities:

Academic writing, opinion pieces in newspapers and magazines, blogging, and self-publishing essay collections.

Unlocking Your Creative Potential:

This is just the tip of the iceberg! Writing encompasses a vast universe of formats and genres, each waiting to be explored. Remember, the most important journey is the one you take with your pen. Experiment, discover what sets your writing on fire, and never stop honing your craft.

Beyond Formats: The Value of Writing

The value of writing transcends formats and genres. It is a tool for self-discovery, a bridge to connect with others, and a legacy that leaves your mark on the world. It builds critical thinking skills, empowers self-expression, and unlocks doors to countless opportunities. So, pick up your pen, embrace the blank page, and unleash the writer within!

Thanks for joining me on this journey through different writing formats and styles! I’m Sanjeev Maurya, a content writer passionate about unlocking creativity. Subscribe for more tips and insights. Keep writing, and let’s keep crafting stories together!

Have you ever experienced writer’s block?

As a writer, facing a blank page can be both exhilarating and daunting. However, fear not! In this blog, we will dive into the complexities of writer’s block. We will explore the hidden roots of this phenomenon, which can stem from self-doubt, fear of judgement, and the quest for perfection.

We will debunk myths surrounding writer’s block and provide strategies to overcome it. Let’s embark on a journey together to rediscover the joy of filling blank pages with the vibrant colours of our imagination.

Join me in this adventure, where we confront our struggles, celebrate our triumphs, and embrace our imperfections in the face of writer’s block. Let’s reignite the fire within our pens!

Understanding the Culprit: Reasons for Writers Block

The Misguided Fears of the Blank Page, Judgement and Self-Doubt

As a new and aspiring writer or even as an experienced writer, the white scares us, and the black makes us happy. I am not talking about race; I am talking about the fear of a white page, which is empty, desolate, and as dry as a drought-ridden land. And the black that I am talking about are the words written on those papers; those words are like the lush green grass and the beautiful trees with an emerald glow, which makes you happy.

We all have those periods when you sit down to write something and the moment you see that blank page, your mind goes blank and you can’t think of anything because there is nothing in front of you. It is a very psychological fear of starting something new, especially if you don’t know where to start. The fear of blank pages is nothing but the fear of starting something new.

This fear of starting something new stems from self-doubt and self-doubt has its roots in fear of judgement.

Sounds complicated? It is for our mind that the more negative thoughts and feelings we have within ourselves, the more we tend to complicate our thoughts or rather hinder our thought process.

And a hindered thought can never create something, at least not something to your satisfaction.

Scarcity of Inspiration, the Urge of Perfectionism and eventual Burnout

Writer’s block doesn’t just hit you because of your fears. But it also tends to hit you even without those misguided fears.

You are motivated, have no self-doubt and don’t care about the judgement of others, but you are having a hard time cooking up new ideas for your new write-up. Even if you somehow push through and start writing, there is this parasite of perfectionism in you that is telling you that your content is not good enough, so you go back, think again, and write again, and that parasite hits you with another self-doubt and you rinse and repeat that process, and eventually, you burn out.

All three things don’t need to happen to you all at once, or step-by-step. They can come separately, and they do come separately. You just lack inspiration sometimes to write something to your satisfaction.

Perfectionism is a weird concept that has plagued creators all over the world in every field. Perfectionism isn’t always creating something and not being satisfied with it, but perfectionism can be planning about something so much and having an idea so perfect in your head that you start questioning your capability of being able to create something that good. This is where writer’s block comes into play.

Burnout happens when you have worked yourself way too much, and it is a good writer’s block, which means it is time to take a small break. We will discuss it later in this blog.

Myth of Writer’s Block: Mirage of Minds

Before we go ahead and start discussing the solutions for writer’s block, yes, there isn’t just one solution to this problem; there are many, and they all work if you are willing to apply them.

The two most common myths that I have heard from people come from two different sets of people.

First, the writers themselves say that my writing capabilities and creativity are gone. Creativity can’t be learned or unlearned; it can’t be created or destroyed. Every human being is creative, yes, although everyone is creative in their own way, not necessarily in writing.

A doctor is creative about human bodies, an engineer is creative about machines and equipment, a programmer is creative about codes, and even a thief is creative about the way of stealing. I am not condoning stealing because I know enough “writers” who tend to get so inspired by someone else’s work that it looks almost similar to the work they got inspired by.

So it is not that your creativity has ceased to exist but rather has taken a pause for reasons like burnout, self-doubt, fear of judgement, and others we talked about.

The second one comes from other people, and many times other writers, saying that you are lazy.

I never agreed with it; laziness doesn’t give you writer’s block. Writer’s block isn’t not wanting to write; it happens because you do want to write but can’t because of all the reasons listed above.

The definition of writer’s block by the Oxford Dictionary is

“the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.”

Merriam Webster Dictionary

“a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece”

You face writer’s block because you are actively trying to write, not because you are sitting idle.

Overcoming Writer’s Block: Letting the Architect in You Construct

Overcoming writer’s block isn’t impossible, but it is laborious. It is a psychological block, and it can be removed completely if you can play a few psychological tricks and follow practical tips.

I can go on and write a lot of jargon to make this blog a little longer and believe me, I want to. But let’s get into the tips and tricks you can follow to unblock your writing potential.

Freewriting: Breaking the Chains of Perfectionism

Freewriting is a technique followed by writers where they jot down their ideas without analysing, fixing errors, or trying to make cohesive content.

This is a free-flow exercise where you aren’t worried about the end product, the structure, or the fact that you are writing something useful. The idea of this exercise is to break the psychological barrier of self-doubt and lack of creativity.

Setting Goals: Small Steps Towards Progress

Set small goals for your writing. It can be two pages in a day, one page, or even just one paragraph when you are going through writer’s block. The idea again is not to have something concrete, but to write something to break the non-writing streak.

Environment Matters: Finding Your Creative Niche

The right environment gives you the kind of stimulus that triggers ideas or fosters a positive mindset towards writing.

Experiment with your writing environment, a new cafe, a new park, or a library; it can even be the roof of your house or even a different room. Creativity can be triggered by the smallest of changes in your surroundings. It can be calm, positive, and relaxing, but it can also be chaotic, bustling, and buzzing.

Techniques of Renowned Writers and Their Battles

When you cannot write during your writer’s block, then read. It sounds counterproductive, but it isn’t.

Go online and look up the stories of renowned writers and their struggles with writer’s block. Knowing that the people you follow and admire have been through the same helps you ground yourself to reality — that it can happen to anyone. Learn from them and understand their techniques for getting over their writer’s block.

Power of Persistence: Write. Write, Write…

It might sound paradoxical to ask you to write during writer’s block. But if you want to succeed as a writer, you have to write.

Now your writing doesn’t have to be flawless, perfect, or even the best thing you ever wrote. Write whatever you feel like; do exactly that. Keeping your journal is also writing; write about not being able to write in your diary.

Being persistent is the key to success, and a writer’s persistence should be in their writing. Write the dumbest joke of the century, but keep writing.

Conclusion: Embracing the Journey Beyond Writer’s Block

In the tumultuous journey of a writer, facing the formidable foe known as writer’s block is not a sign of defeat but rather a testament to the creative soul’s resilience. It’s an inevitable phase, a temporary pause in the grand narrative of our writing endeavours.

Understanding the Block:

A writer’s block isn’t a monolithic wall; it’s a complex interplay of fears, pressures, and a myriad of internal and external factors Recognising its nuances empowers us to confront it with resilience and resourcefulness.

Tools for Triumph:

Armed with a repertoire of strategies — freewriting to shatter perfectionism’s chains, setting incremental goals to chart progress, and crafting inspiring environments — we equip ourselves to navigate through the labyrinth of creative droughts.

The Power of Persistence:

The writer’s block is but a bend in the road, not the journey’s end. It’s in persistently engaging with our craft, in pushing through the barriers, that we discover our wellspring of creativity awaiting reawakening.

Embracing Imperfection:

Perfection is the adversary of progress. Embrace the imperfect, the messy drafts, and the flawed ideas. For within them lie the seeds of brilliance waiting to sprout with nurturing and revision.

A Call to Keep Writing:

So, dear writers, let writer’s block be not a paralysing force but a catalyst for growth. Let it be a reminder of our dedication to the craft, our passion for storytelling, and our unyielding resolve to pen our narratives into existence.

As we bid adieu to the notion that writer’s block defines us, let us embark on our writing journeys with renewed vigour. Embrace the blank page not as an obstacle but as a canvas awaiting the strokes of our creativity. Let us continue writing, for within the struggle against writer’s block lies the triumph of our creative spirit.

Thanks for joining me on this journey through writer’s block! I’m Sanjeev Maurya, a content writer passionate about unlocking creativity. Subscribe for more tips and insights. Keep writing, and let’s keep crafting stories together!

Do you think that your words hold power?

A human, on average, speaks about 16,000 words per day. Each word holds meaning, even words like he, him, and them and words like me or I, which can describe your whole existence in just one alphabet.

How many times has it happened that, when speaking, you weren’t careful about the words you used because they don’t really matter?

The existence of humanity cannot be imagined without words and language, written or spoken. It has always mattered, it still matters, and it will always matter.

The way words and language can shape and impact every being in existence is a matter of discussion and important for you to understand, so you can answer the question I asked you.

Influence of Words on Thoughts and Emotions

Our emotions and thoughts have a strong and unbroken connection with each other. It is no secret that, as humans, we tend to attach emotions to words or vice-versa.

Throughout history, we have not just given meaning to words but have attached certain emotions, and every emotion impacts our thoughts.

We know about the concepts of positive, negative, and neutral. The common tendency to associate feelings, thoughts, or emotions with these three concepts is not only common but also universal. It is hard to tell if the meaning of a word evokes emotions or if our emotions help us make more sense of any word.

Positive affirmations or words can motivate us, and negative words can dishearten us. Words can cause us trauma, but they can also heal us.

Words aren’t collections of alphabets; they are a cohesive crowd of chaotic emotions that give a spark to our inner thoughts.

Words as Agents

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

These powerful words were spoken by Martin Luther King Jr. during the peak of American civil rights movement. These words left such a deep impact on people, and they hold so much meaning even today, even after the end of slavery and the abolition of segregation for African Americans.

This was much more visible during the year 2020, when people came out on the streets, demanding justice for George Floyd and action against racism and police brutality.

“I can’t breathe” were the last words of George Floyd, which became words spoken by every protestor during that time when demanding justice. These three words made waves around the globe as a mark and symbol against injustice of every kind.

This is how impactful words can be. Words can be agents of chaos, sure, but they can also be weapons for justice, kindness, compassion, and humanity.

The Social and Cultural Impact of Language

Language is never static; it has evolved over millennia, from just some sounds to words to sentences and eventually into the structured system of linguistics with alphabets, punctuation, grammar, and more.

It has served humanity its purpose of connecting with people across the globe and still keeps on doing that. It has adapted over time according to societal changes, needs, changing cultures, traditions, demographics, and generations. For example, with the advancement of technology, a plethora of words came into use that never existed, and words are being innovated with every new innovation.

In the year 2023, people started using more inclusive language, bending the norms of language and creating new words for communities that were left without identities.

There was a time when it was just lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, which made the acronym LGBT. But people who couldn’t identify with even those came up with terms for themselves, like pansexual, demisexual, aromantic, and more. People who did not identify with the binary gender of male and female came up with the term non-binary, new gender identity for people outside the binary; even new pronouns were used for them; instead of he/him and she/her, they/them, ze/zer, and other neo pronouns.

This not only proves that language is ever-evolving but also gives us the idea that sometimes we create words for meanings that have existed forever.

The Responsibility of Language Use

We already discussed the power of words and language over our emotions and thoughts; you know how it can impact not only you but others too.

We all have a social, moral, and ethical responsibility to use the right words or use the words in the correct manner. The responsibility is not just about offending or hurting someone, but rather about being self-aware of the power of words and the impact they can have on society or another human being.

The most devastating impact of using the wrong words was by the Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. His words were so catastrophic that they led to the genocide of 11 million people, 6 million Jewish people, and 5 million prisoners, which included disabled people and LGBTQ+ people.

“That’s the difficulty in these times: ideals, dreams, and cherished hopes rise within us, only to meet the horrible truth and be shattered. It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them because, in spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

Anne Frank

This is a quote from the diary of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazi regime in the Netherlands who was eventually caught and died in the concentration camp.

Words are important; the words of Hitler gave birth to a time that brought devastation, death, and doom. And during that same time, amidst that doom, death, and fear, Anne Frank wrote about hope. Her diary, to this day, is a beacon of hope for people all over the world.

Harnessing the Positive Power of Word

Words and language aren’t just a means of communication; they have the authority to change and shape the world. But most importantly, the influence will shape us into something beautiful. Inspire, motivate, build, and transform us.

Positive affirmations like “I am capable,” “I can do this,” and “I am worthy and resilient” can have an immensely positive impact on you and can be a catalyst for personal development.

Leaders, mentors, and influencers use words carefully to lead, teach, and influence in an efficient way.

Therapists use words in a way that helps you entangle your emotions, pain, and suffering and help you become a version of yourself that isn’t hurting anymore.

“Our language is the reflection of ourselves. A language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers”

Cesar Chavez

Conclusion

Humanity has evolved over time and through events that happened over time. The catalyst of these events has been words—written, spoken, misguided, misinterpreted, and even hidden words.

Words have even given hope, happiness, and peace to people through literature, poems, songs, and stories.

Words and language go hand-in-hand with the good and the bad happening around us, and these are the only things that can help us and others find the solution to all of this.

After reading all this, let me ask you again the same question I asked you in the beginning: “Do you think that your words hold power?”