The Care & Feeding of Our Writing Selves
In these modern lives we lead, we are bombarded by so much.
As writers, part of the job is to be filter-feeders, taking it all in, and finding new ways of putting things in our world together in words.
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This has the potential to overwhelm anyone.
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What's a writer to do?
Destressify*
Thanks to davidji for the terminology!
Easier said than done, of course, but one of the best things we can do to support creativity is reduce stress! Our brains are designed to respond to danger in the environment by throwing us into overdrive. You've probably heard a lot about the fight, flight, or freeze response, which is one way of describing the actions of the sympathetic nervous system.
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First, acknowledge that it's darn hard to chill out when everything in the world feels like a chaotic cluster#@k. Then, dig in and find a way to do it anyway.
Get Support
Writing is a solo pursuit, but that doesn't mean it has to be done in isolation.
Find a writing partner, form a writing group, join a workshop, get a coach—somebody or something to help support and encourage you, because: YOU ARE A WRITER!
Try New Things
Variety is the spice of life.
The human brain craves variety.
When things get stuck, try new things: Take a walk, listen to new music, eat new foods, try a new art form (color, paint, draw, sculpt, collage, weld)—whatever it is, give your brain something novel anytime it seems to be spinning in the mud.
Yoga Nidra for Writers
Hit play and give it a whirl... It could be one of those aforementioned new things.
Who knows? Your brain might just like it!
A meditation alternative for folks who don't like/can't/won't meditate...