I Always Had Mental Blocks…
Here Are The 5 Ways I Overcame Them… (not just for writing)
Here again,
Sat in the same chair & the same situation that I’ve been in countless times before.
Until I read something…
“Insanity is doing the same things over and over again and expecting different results.” — Albert Einstein
I can’t just keep sitting here wasting my life hoping inspiration hits me, I need to go out and find it…
Mental blocks are like roadworks in your mind. Sometimes we can push through but other times we must reroute to get to the same destination.
With the right tools to hand & knowing how to use them we can approach metal blocks with a different perspective. One of less frustration and more resilience.
If we can arm ourselves with the right mental toolbox, we’ll set ourselves up for a more efficient life with fewer challenges.
You hold the keys; it’s up to you if you want to use them. I did.
Here are the 5 methods I use to help overcome mental blocks in any area of my life.
1. Look for Inspiration.
This could be via reading, watching videos or listening to others.
When I need to write and experience writer’s block, I look for inspiration in a variety of places. I’ll read other articles, watch videos and listen to podcasts.
I look to get a better grasp of different perspectives, alternative views and new topics.
I don’t just sit there and hope inspiration hits me, I go out and actively seek it.
It’s important to search for inspiration in ALL areas of life.
When I’m out and I see something that gives me an idea for writing (like Dementia or Amazon employees), I make a note of it and write later.
While It would be nice to get all the inspiration you need from within, it doesn’t always happen.
If you can’t go out and get it, then the world is LITERALLY at your fingertips.
Get on the internet and search.
Has someone been somewhere you want to go? Or done something you want to do?
Stories from total strangers are the best thing. They have different perspectives on the same situation.
Think of a topic and get going. Fuel your writing.
TIP: If you’re able to talk with someone who has done something you’re interested in, then network. They may have whole droves of information and experience they haven’t told anyone, and they just need to be asked.
2. Walk.
Going for a walk is the top way to help clear mental blocks.
It gives the mind time to wander.
So the longer you do it, the more time you have for inspiration to strike.
It’s important to step away from the task at hand and give that the brain a chance to reset.
There are two ways in which this can be done:
- You can either go into nature and let your mind wander. — This allows for distraction-free thinking.
- Go where the people are. — Watch how people interact, and try to listen to the conversations. What can you pick up on? Is there anything that you see or hear that you can use in your writing?
Whatever you chose, take a notepad and make notes of any ideas that come to mind.
Different environments encourage creativity.
Different sceneries encourage different energy.
Change your surroundings to change the way you think.
3. Show Up.
Even though the metal blocks could be stopping you from performing, show up anyway.
Showing up is the most important step to achieving any endeavour and it’s half the battle.
Don’t let them stop you from trying.
Whether it’s writing a piece or composing a song, don’t let the obstacles discourage you or prevent you from giving it your all; in such moments, we can learn the most about ourselves. Are we going to roll over and quit? Or are we going to push through?
Perseverance is key; progress isn’t always made in giant leaps. sometimes you have to take your time and push through the lulls; crawl across the finish line.
Remember what you are working towards.
Show up. Stay determined.
4. Socialise
While this may sound counterproductive, I find that this can be the most helpful point.
Socialising can be a great way to give yourself a break from work by refreshing your mind.
Taking your mind off the task at hand will prevent you from getting burnt out.
As well as this being a great way to unplug and lift your mood, it can also be an invaluable way to gain helpful feedback on your work.
Ask friends that you can trust for genuine, honest feedback on the task. Others will have a different perspective and may be able to show you a new way of doing things.
The best kind of advice is advice in the real world. If your friend says it’s good just to be polite, that’s not real advice.
Find an honest friend and don’t take the critique personally.
Remember, it’s you that asked for the advice.
Just don’t make a habit of procrastinating by keep going out and socialising with people. Remember you still have work to do. Enjoy it responsibly and set yourself boundaries.
TIP: A good tip to keep in mind is that not everyone will want the best for you. Beware of who you share your plans and works with.
5. Meditate.
I started meditating almost 3 years ago and to keep up the consistency let me warn you, it can be tough.
Doing the same thing every day no matter how you feel requires a lot of mental strength.
However, meditation can help in two ways when dealing with mental blocks:
- Releasing stress — Meditation reduces stress by allowing you to focus on the present moment; on the task at hand. We’ve all been there, getting worked up about not achieving the task in time because of future commitments. Regular meditation can enhance your ability to cope with daily stressors, it increases your resilience.
- Increasing focus — With the regular practice of meditation the mind can become calmer and experience a reduction in distractions which means more focus, allowing you to better process information.
Practising regular mindfulness techniques like meditation will definitely reduce the number of mental blocks you experience and increase your concentration skills.
Meditation can also help you to work through difficult situations. It’s a skill for life.
Conclusion:
Yes, mental blocks are frustrating and these methods aren’t instant fixes. However, by regularly engaging in some or all of these methods, you’ll find that the psychological barrier keeping you from doing your work will slowly start to crumble away.
Just keep in mind that mindset and consistency are key…
Thank you for taking the time to read my article. If you found it helpful and think someone else could find it helpful too, please share it and 👏🏽👏🏽.
A writer mainly on self-development. I occasionally write on personal experiences, interest and other topics too. If you are interested in self-development, then please read some of my other articles (linked below). Enjoy.
