Confession number 1. The words don’t always flow like a waterfall, occasionally it’s like a clogged faucet. There are days when stringing a coherent sentence together is an impossible feat. Blank screen or half written book, the words refuse to emerge and each verb, noun, adjective is worse than pulling teeth (not that I’ve tried that).

Confession number 2. It has taken me three weeks to pen this post together for you. I’ve been procrastinating, overthinking, reading, criticising, doing everything but putting one word in front of another. Writing for a writer should be as easy as walking or breathing –one step at a time, one breath at a time, right?

Not quite.

Us writers, not all, but many of us, are highly self-critical, emotional and a little crazy. I mean, really, who in their right mind chooses to subject themselves to the criticism of others for fun and with zero guarantee of monetary profits or fame? Especially now, where every man and his/her/their dog have access to an iPhone/Android, and can comment on just about anything as themselves or under a guise (if you’re going to criticise, the least you could do is show your face).

But I digress.

Writing for a writer is not always easy. Sometimes you want to write something deep and meaningful, and instead the words sound like drivel; every sentence is like attempting to swim through quicksand, and articulating a few paragraphs becomes an almost impossible feat.

Been there, done that. More often than I care to admit. How about you?

Writers are creative beings, a lot of us are steered by our emotions, and when life gives us lemons, or throws a curveball we weren’t expecting, our writing ability can suffer. Whether it’s a job change, a relationship breakdown, a new addition to the family, a blooming business venture, grief, or just a never ending ‘to-do’ list, it can all derail your writing plans when you least expect it. It sucks. And you’re going to want to push through it and try harder, only to end up frustrated and possibly burned out. Putting pressure on yourself to perform is the last thing you want to do. Here are a few things to do instead.

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8 Refreshing Alternatives to Spark Your Inspiration

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• Be kind to yourself

 We are our own worst self-critics. We tell ourselves things that we’d never tell a friend or loved one. So why do we feel it’s okay to be hard on ourselves. When things aren’t going well? It’s okay to look in the mirror and give yourself a break. Pat yourself on the back for trying and give yourself permission to not write, to not think about writing, to just be.

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• Enjoy the great outdoors.

Getting outside does wonders for creativity and flow. The fresh air, a stunning

sunrise or sunset, a stroll in the summer drizzle, watching the waves crash against the shore, or simply lying on freshly mowed grass. It’s a perfect change of scenery from staring at a blank page. Let nature be your inspiration.

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• Spend time with loved ones

When was the last time you picked up the phone and called an old friend or paid a visit to a distant relative? Maybe you’ve been meaning to catch up with a sibling or parent but haven’t found the time. Stuck with your writing? Give them a call, plan a catch up, talk about life, love, joy, and sorrow. Share your stories, laugh and cry. You might surprise yourself and come out with new ideas, or a fresh spin on an old one. A long lunch with friends over cocktails or tea might be just what the writing doctor ordered.

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• Try something new

In order to create, you need to fill the well with new ideas, concepts, experiences, perspectives and more. The only way to do that is to expose yourself to new things. Whether that’s enjoying a cup of coffee in a new cafe, visiting a museum or park that’s new to you, taking a different route to work, talking to a stranger in the grocery line, try out the local delights that only tourists do. You never know where inspiration will strike.

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• Get active

I’m a huge advocate for physical activity. It’s good for the body and mind. Us writers spend far too much time with our butts in chairs and while that’s required for finishing the book, article, blog post or poem, your butt needs a break, as does your brain. Whether it’s a run or swim, a game of tennis or golf, yoga or kickboxing, or just a walk around the block, when you’re feeling stuck and the words aren’t flowing, get active, even if it’s only for twenty minutes. When you sit back down at your computer or notebook, your mind will be fresher, and you’ll come brewing with ideas or at least the energy to start or finish what you’re working on.

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• Do something creative (other than writing)

You’re a writer, but that doesn’t mean that your only focus has to be on writing. Sometimes you need to take a step back and try a different creative outlet whether it's cooking from a new recipe, painting a landscape, drawing or colouring in, decorating a room, signing up for a pottery class, dancing in the kitchen to your favourite tunes as you cook dinner.

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• Read a good book (or a not so good one)                       

Read. Read. Then read some more. Books, articles, blog posts. Don’t just skim and move onto the next shiny new object. Read the good stuff and the bad. It’s all a learning process. The good stuff might make you feel mediocre and teach you something, the bad stuff might lift you up and teach you something, too. Read for learning, but read for pleasure, too. You never know when the next idea will come from or what will inspire you to continue with your own writing.

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• Tackle a fun writing prompt

If you’re on a deadline, self-imposed or not, or your personality requires that you push through, try a writing prompt. Pick something completely unrelated to what you’re doing to take the pressure off, and start writing. A writing prompt can help you switch from fiction to non-fiction or vice versa. Penning a few sentences on the sexy baker getting lost in the wilderness with a sweet lioness chasing him might make you laugh and help you get back to your literary genius. Whatever works – use it to your advantage.

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As a writer – newbie or seasoned – writing is not always going to come easily. Sometimes it’s going to be a hard slog. It comes with the territory. But believe me, it’s a passing phase, a slight hurdle on a path that is never going to be linear. What in life is? Why should we expect it from our writing? Instead, see it as an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, pick up a new skill, enjoy a much-deserved break, or an excuse to put your feet up and get through the ‘to be read’ pile that’s building on the bedside table.

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Kasia Radzka