I have been stuck here for a while. Allow me, readers, to step away from my usual and be real for a minute! Have you ever heard the term, “writer’s block?” Let me break it down for you; A writer's block is somewhere you find yourself wanting to write, but as soon as you start you are staring at a blank page, for the longest while words are in your head but yet; it seems hard for the words to transfer from your brain to a paper or a document.
That is the place where I have been for the last eight (8) months. It may not be the first time I have been here, but it is perhaps the longest it has lasted.
Pouring from an empty cup
You know, let us keep it very real, we have a very bad habit of giving, giving and giving some more, until we have absolutely nothing left because as our grandparents may have told us, you must be kind and have a giving heart.
I know my Caribbeans can definitely relate; even my internationals too. While nothing is wrong with giving and I am in no way telling you to be unkind, it can be draining if you are trying to stretch yourself thin until you have no more strength or ideas left in you to give.
For those of you who drive, if you continue driving a car and the gas tank is on E, chances are that that car will eventually shut off. It’s the same for writers.
What do I do to get out of here?
When I am here, I feel unmotivated and absolutely unworthy of my craft. It drains me dry. That is my emotion and not what God says about me. Sometimes when we find ourselves in situations like these, we wallow in them, sometimes longer than we should. Be honest with yourselves; I'm not lying!
Seasons change
there is a quote we use every so often, especially since the most recent leap year 2020, and living in a pandemic, “nothing last forever”. Rightfully so, remember the scripture says,
“For everything, there is a season, and a time to everything under heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.”
(Ecclesiastes chapter verses 1 - 4).
Additionally, the word of God also tells us that,
“5For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm chapter 30 verse 5)
In conclusion, no matter how much you enjoy being creative, your brain is a part of the process and in a time such as today where self-care and mental health are on the lips of everybody it's important to give, but your brain is constantly working. It needs rest and if you don't rest it you will not function.