Writers Block
Posted By Kristabella on January 12, 2010
I know my posting in the last, like, 5 months has been few and far between. It was never my intention. I had been a 3-5 posts per week kind of gal. But at some point, my brain stopped working the same way. Part of it was probably The Sads. But I like to blame Twitter. Because when something happens, I can just go on Twitter and do a mini-post in 140 characters.
For example:
Before I would probably wax poetically about how I sat in my PJs all day, becoming one with the couch cushions, watching endless hours of reality television, which led to dreams about The Situation. I would have stretched one event, one Tweet-able event, into a whole post. Nowadays I can’t seem to find that kind of creativity and writing ability for a tweet, let alone a post. And that makes me sad. Reality television is rotting my brain, apparently. But I won’t give up Jersey Shore!
I don’t generally do New Year’s resolutions. It’s just really setting myself up to fail. I mean why do I have to wait until January 1 to decide to do something or change something? It’s within all our powers to make those changes/decisions every single day. But since January 1 happened to fall close to me falling off the blogging wagon, I decided that this could be my resolution. I need to write more and make it a habit again. Find my passion for it and not feel like it is a chore. (Not sure why I feel that way when it isn’t a JOB.)
There was a story on the radio the other day about how people need hobbies. The DJ on the morning show was talking about how even though his job was his life and his number one love, he still needed a hobby to be sane. And it is true. We all need that part of our lives where we can unwind and enjoy what we are doing. I’d say that blogging is definitely one of my biggest hobbies. Right after drinking. Ba-dum-bum.
But lately I don’t put as much effort into my favorite hobby as I once did. And I think not taking the time to write, to get my therapy through writing, to connect with all of you, leads me into a vicious circle of feeling depressed and tired and leading me to just check out and spend time bonding with my couch and remote. And that’s not really good for anyone, let alone the springs in the couch.
Recently, every time I set out to write and I’m too tired or I don’t have anything to say, I just give up. In the past, I would have sat there looking at a blank, white screen, digging down deep to find something to write about. I need to get back to that. (This post is an example that I still am able to do just that.) I need to write and love writing again. I need to not let the opinion of some regarding my writing get me down and just make me pull away, pull away from something that keeps me sane and that I love to do. Something I’m passionate about. I need to keep my creative energy flowing because it is there and I can put it to good use. I mean, do you know how many other things in this world can be labeled with a label maker? IT COULD BE A WEEKLY SEGMENT! “Labeling the Land with Kristabella!”
So I’m not going to make any promises. Because sometimes I fall asleep on the couch before 9 PM because I am old. And sometimes I go out and drink too much wine. But I am promising myself to make more of an effort, to not give up so easily and to force myself to post when I just don’t feel like it. Because it is good for me. Like exercise. Which I should also probably do more of as well. But baby steps, people, baby steps. It’s only January 12.
About the author
sister, what gets me through bloggin would be multiple posts while having my evening cocktail.
most of the time, I’m astonished of what I’ve written, but at other times,I’m quite embarrassed. sadly, i don’t take the bad shit down.
.-= gorillabuns´s last blog ..cacophony =-.
I was really hoping that this year’s NaBloPoMo would reignite my posting mojo and while I did manage to post every day in November I toooootally fell off the wagon as soon as December hit. I’m hoping that soon I’ll find a way to get my write on again–especially since, like you, blogging=therapy for me. Sort of. 🙂
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Nothing Will Ever Be the Same. =-.
It really isn’t a morning without a new Kristabella post.
Seriously…I got a label maker and am wondering what you can’t label….
I love Twitter. It takes all the effort out of the recounting of my life.
.-= nancypearlwannabe´s last blog ..adsad =-.
Yes, more writing! And more trips to Atlanta to inspire more posts about stupid songs that are overplayed on the radio!
Oh, and even through my hangover, I am craving Flip burger.
.-= Darcey´s last blog ..Insert Foot =-.
You know that nasty old saying – “Those who can’t, teach”? Well the modern equivalent is “Those who can’t blog, Twitter.”
You’re better than that. You are an amazing writer. When you get back to the point that you realize that, I’m going to ask you to contribute to ‘The Inferno’. So, when you’re ready, let me know.
.-= lceel´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Mishi =-.
I blog about my struggle with depression and it has really been one of the things that has helped me. I didn’t care if people read it, I just had to get it out of my head. I have your blog on my Google reader feed and I love it.
.-= Jen´s last blog ..Adrift =-.
I know how you feel: I’ve really lost my blogging spark lately, and I’m choosing to blame Twitter, too. So I too am trying to get back into blogging and spend less time Twittering, although it’s proving difficult at the moment. As always, wine helps. With everything, really.
.-= Amber´s last blog ..A small dose of the Januarys =-.
I have a case of writer’s block with my personal blog. I’ve been writing over at the culinary blog but when it comes to personal stuff, my mind draws a blank. *sigh*
.-= Lys´s last blog ..Arctic Chill Means Beef Stew Is On The Menu…. =-.
I still totally use the same material in my posts that I used on twitter. Some people who read my tweets don’t read my site, and some people who read my site don’t read my twitter…and if people read both…welll, that’s their problem. heh. also, people miss tweets all the time, yanno?
.-= ali´s last blog ..A Chuckyesque situation. =-.
I TOTALLY get ya here. For a while there I became really discouraged by the fact that people weren’t loving blogging as they once did and I started to get low down about posting too. So then I took a break and just said que sera sera-but when I took a break I found myself wanting to blog-but then I would sit at my computer and not have a thing to say. (wondering why I am making you read this whole long story?) Well the point is I eventually made myself sit down and do it and I am starting to feel like my old writing self. A lot of things in life, even if we love them, are easy to neglect, so I guess we just have to force ourselves not to?
.-= Sensibly Sassy´s last blog ..Please Hold =-.
Hooray for more Kristabella! I can never get enough. 🙂
But I know what you mean. The longer I go between posts, the harder it is to sit down and write one. But you can do it – you have it in you.
.-= Angella´s last blog ..The Year Of Inherent Radness =-.
You definitely can’t give up considering you are so funny and I just discovered you a few months ago 🙂 Keep up the good work!
I’m right there with you. I used to love blogging, but lately I feel like I have nothing to say. I decided to start taking questions from meme’s and expanding on them one at a time. At least then I’ll get into the habit of writing more often, and hopefully will start being inspired to create my own posts without help.
.-= Denora´s last blog ..My Friends =-.
I love Twitter and all, but it has truly taken the fun out of blogging. Pshaw.
For you:
Dude, we really have to talk about The Situation. 😉
I actually love Twitter for the reason that it allows me to post tidbit pieces of my days/weeks/etc. etc. without having to pull everything together into a blog post. That being said, I’m with Ali on the whole: sometimes I double up, which I think works, too.
I totally used to be a hater of New Year’s resolutions, but have come to love making them (and reading other people’s) because I’ve found that unless I get specific with my goals and intentions, they don’t ever seem to happen for me. Apparently I don’t deal well with abstract.
All of that to say: I believe in you, and your writing, and your tweets crack me up on a daily basis.
xoxo
Your Top Chef Sister-In-Law
.-= Kerri Anne´s last blog ..Because My Brain Is Otherwise Occupied =-.
Baby steps. I feel the same way about getting back into blogging. Good luck to us!