Sometimes You Just Can’t Force It

As I kept trying to find the right topic yesterday for a health and fitness post, I could never come up with the right subject. I was so frustrated and disappointed in myself especially since I had the same problem a couple of days last week. When I got up today, I began to have that same dreaded feeling. Nothing came to mind that I should write about.

I had lunch, went grocery shopping, and hoped something would present itself. Nothing.

I had a snack and took a walk. Nothing.

I opened my topic spreadsheet and began to update it, and finally, something began to nibble at the edge of my thoughts. Maybe I finally had a topic in mind.

The entire process made me realize what I wanted to write about.

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you cannot force yourself to create. This is especially frustrating if you are a writer or artist, but it can be equally frustrating in any career field.

I don’t think I would call my problem writer’s block because I’ve had writer’s block before, and it’s much worse than this. Instead, I would simply call this being low on material that communicates what I want it to say. When I’m lacking just the right inspiration, I don’t know what to write, and I hate to keep “filler” articles in the background to use when I lack inspiration. I like my content to be fresh so sometimes that means I just don’t write anything that day or for that subject. When I have plenty to say, I don’t mind saving articles up and scheduling them for publishing, but when I don’t have anything fresh or worthwhile to say, I’d rather just not publish anything.

This may mean that I skip some days when I would normally publish, but I’m okay with that as long as I’m writing meaningful content when I post. Don’t try to force yourself to create something on a day when you know it just won’t happen. Likewise, don’t give yourself a hard time about it either. There is always something else we can work on while we’re waiting for inspiration to strike. The goal is to keep moving forward in some fashion without forcing an idea that just isn’t ready to be born. Give your ideas time to grow.

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Inspirational Verse for the Day:

I wait for the Lord; I wait and put my hope in his word. (Psalm 130:5, CSB)