Writers’ Block
Today, I’m starting a new blog series, this time on Writers’ Block. Yes, it’s a big one among writers. There are those who have suffered from it for years. I’ve been there. And yet there are others who say they have never experienced it. Some might even believe it’s just an excuse to not write. And here’s what I have heard very often:
It’s all in the mind.
Which often is taken to mean that Writers’ Block is not real, that it’s imagined and can simply be broken by willpower, hard work or determination. And that people who experience it are simply weak and bad writers trying to hide their failure. I don’t believe that’s true, however. Writers’ Block is not something people choose or decide to have. It’s usually something that seems to hit out of the blue.
But yes, I believe it’s in the mind. Just not the conscious mind. We have a vast unconscious mind that teems with rules, beliefs, safety programs and stuff we learned earlier in life. And these can combine to create Writers’ Block in very individual ways.
It’s complicated.
There are many, many mechanisms that can cause Writers’ Block. Which is why I’ll devote an entire series to exploring them. There are three main topics, however, that we’ll explore: Beliefs, expectations and the family system.
Beliefs are things we learned about being a writer. Usually, they have been passed on through our families, through school, and of course, are spread in writing forums and groups. They tell us “how” to be a writer. Of course, there are plenty of beliefs out there that don’t particularly serve us in being a successful writer…
Expectations are very similar to beliefs. However, they determine what we have to expect as authors – there are less like rules and more like future guidance. And honestly, there are so many negative expectations about writing, art and success, it’s shocking. Yet we have been trained to follow what is expected of us, and if that’s having to struggle to make it as author – well, you get the picture.
The family system on the other hand is a set of rules and a certain energy field that influence us on a very different level. Yes, there are beliefs and expectations that are passed down through the family, but the system does much, much more. It’s a web of love, loyalty and service that can create amazing and shocking behavior patterns. A family system does not necessarily serve and protect its members. In fact, the number one priority of a family system is to protect itself and maintain balance.
I want to explore all three areas in some detail because Writers’ Block rarely has one simple cause. In my experience, certain beliefs, expectations and family system dynamics combine to create a very individual case for each affected writer. So by going into some detail with the most common root causes, I hope to be able to give you enough information and tapping suggestions that you can work through the block on your own.
If not, I’m always here to help.
So just to let you get started, let’s lift that terrible “It’s all in your mind” blame game with some tapping.
Even though I have Writers’ Block, and I totally blame myself for not having enough willpower to break it, I’m still okay the way I am, and I’m open to the possibility that it has nothing to do with willpower at all.
Even though I believe that Writers’ Block is all in the mind, and I’m just too broken to conquer it, I’m still okay the way I am, and I now allow myself to see that there might be good reasons why I’m blocked from writing that I can shift and transform.
Even though I’ve heard the “it’s all in the mind” stuff, and I blame myself for not having a better mind, and it feels like a mental illness, I’m still okay the way I am, and I’m open to the possibility that there are logical factors at work that I can unravel and release.
Your Turn:
How do you feel about Writers’ Block?
What are your experiences with it?
What happened while you were tapping?
And finally – what are you creating right now?
Would love to hear from you!
Image Source: F. Moebius
PS: You’ll find my personal experiences with these beliefs in the comment section. Because I am tapping with these very sentences, I’m inviting you to join me on this journey, and share your experiences.
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