I've had the hardest time coming up with a topic today.
I've got a list of topics for April, due to pre-planning for the "Blogging from A to Z" challenge. (Check back tomorrow for more information on that.) I've also got a list of topics for February (with a theme of "love" - I know. Original. Right?) But today, I've been staring at the two graphics above, trying to figure out something of value to write.
Well, just about half an hour ago, I started thinking of things I could do in 5 minutes or less that would get my mind off a blank page and let my subconscious take over for a few while I was engaged in some fairly mundane task.
So, here's what I came up with, off the cuff:
- nail care (paint, trim, file, etc.)
- exercise (treadmill, jumping jacks, bicep curls ... whatever)
- call a friend
- pay a bill
- pray or meditate
- plan a meal
- answer an email
- take your dog outside.
- wash your vehicle's windshield
- stomp on some aluminum cans for recycling.
Not all earth-shattering, or even game-changing. And I guess the closest I came to actually using one of these was the pray or meditate. I went outside with my notebook and my husband's pen.
It was not as productive a session as yesterday, when reading a blog post about a Valentine's advent calendar inspired me to write a list of 100 occasions for which you could make an "advent calendar". If you've never used a "list of 100" as a journaling technique, I highly recommend it.
My point is that in the process of coming up with a list of things I could to in five minutes to get out of my rut, it occurred to me that writing about the process of getting out of my rut would make a pretty good post!
So, what do you do when the ideas are not coming as fast as you would like? Tell us in a comment. You never know who may need the very idea that you post!
NOTE: I don't know why going to the list changed the text alignment to center. Any ideas? Besides that, I like the way the list shows up when centered. Kind of like a Christmas tree!
I go through that sometimes - not having anything to write about. I figure, I can always post a recipe or something on days when my kids don't give me any ammo to write about :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting the porch, MM. That's true, I never thought of using kid stories to fill in dry spells. They sure keep us stocked, don't they?
ReplyDeleteA neat little post there. Thank you for hooking up with Thirsty for Thursday. Sorry for it taking a couple of days to get around to comment. It was a crazy week.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas for clearing your mind and taking a moment away so you can come back a bit refreshed and find something to write about.
ReplyDeleteI find that when I step away and try to clear my mind, things start coming to me better...Sometimes we just get mind clutter.
Irish Carter
www.dedicated2life.com
Sometimes I just start writing. Somehow, my babbling in writing carries me through. Then again, that's how I write! ;-p Other than that, a good, refreshing walk always gets my mind going, especially if it's the middle of the night.
ReplyDeleteShannon at The Warrior Muse
thanks for the ideas! btw tomorrow i have a post on a valentine advent calendar, haha.
ReplyDeleteYour post turned out great seems you got "unstuck" giggle. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo P.S. the new giveaway started Friday :-)
ReplyDeleteI sure did, Katherine. I'll be checking out that giveaway, for sure. :O)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting, Elle. I got a lot of good ideas from your post!
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Wayne, you see how long it took me to get to responding to the comments. Just glad to "see ya" on the porch. :O)
ReplyDeleteHi, Irish, glad to have someone who promotes happiness on the porch. WB anytime!
ReplyDeleteI have worked with that method too, Shannon. I start out, "I hate staring at the blank page...." and that can lead to some pretty interesting places.
ReplyDeleteSome great ideas to help spark something to write about. I had doing some posts based on the 100 things list and should really sit down and do them. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI love that technique, Tara. Glad to see it works for lots of folks. C'mon back anytime...bring the monkeys if you like. They can join our zoo. *LOL* :O)
ReplyDelete