WRITER'S BLOCK: OVERCOMING STRESS WITH ROUTINE

Stress is inevitable.  Whether self induced or externally induced, without managing stress we are at its mercy.  In my last post I talked about mindfulness as a way of addressing stress.  You may already have an effective way to handle your stress.  No one way can work best for everyone.

I remember being surprised in reading Twyla Tharp'sThe Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life to learn that she got up early every morning to work out.  It was part of her belief that creativity — let's face it, creativity is a core issue for writers — is promoted by having a routine.  One cannot wait for inspiration.  If one "does," inspiration will follow.

As I said, there is no one way that works for everyone.  But having a routine may work for you.  Research on the formation of automatic habits has shown that in order to develop a habit, we need to have a routine that we follow.  And, the routine must last at least 21 days.

According to Twyla Tharp, creativity is a habit.  If you are willing to embrace her idea, and if you do not have a daily routine that includes activities besides writing, now could be the time to implement one.  Morning pages (The Artist's Way : A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity) is a routine, albeit a writing routine.  For some writers who find it difficult to generate a routine separate from their writing, morning pages may work.

At least we know that "if you always do the same thing, you'll always get what you got." So, if you want something different, consider a routine, or a new routine.

Other tips on overcoming writer's block can be found at OVERCOME WRITER'S BLOCK EASILY.