Emotions need Motion (in writing, too!)

If you’re feeling stuck chances are you’re also feeling Frozen / Paralyzed / Powerless…

Those are hard to work through when you’re sitting at your desk, wanting to write, but STUCK. A therapist said to me once “emotions need motion,” and feeling stuck is a big emotion — one that we don’t always identify or name right away. 

There’s nothing wrong with you for feeling stuck: chances are you’re tired from your day-to-day, stressed about something else that’s keeping you from feeling creative, or you’re putting too much pressure on yourself. 

Try going for a walk. Clear your mind. Don’t take your phone (or, keep it in your pocket!) and walk without headphones around your neighborhood or in your favorite park. Notice your surroundings, take deep breaths, ask yourself what you’re really sticking on — is it that you don’t know what to do with your character, or is that you’re so stressed about a promotion at work that you don’t know how to work with your character right now? 

There is no right or wrong way to write, and everyone feels stuck sometimes. The best thing you can do is remove yourself from the space, and go forward, even just temporarily.