I know, I know. I just couldn’t help myself. I had to bring an oldie, but goodie, to today’s conversation. It’s a blast from the past that’s meant to be and just so happens to be a reblog from its original posting on December 4, 2019. And guess what? I was in the same irritating position of not being sure what to bring to you for today’s post as I was at that time last December.
So, I thought it fitting to talk about the subject that all bloggers surely must go through at some point in their blogging journeys — the issue of not knowing what to blog about.
Now, I wasn’t at a loss for words or topics to blog about (not in the true sense anyway). Quite the contrary. I actually had several topics of conversation that I could have brought forth today (and I’m sure they’ll be forthcoming), but the blogging struggle was real.
I like to “feel” what it is I’m blogging about for that particular day. And, I just wasn’t feeling any of the topics that were staring me straight in the face. Have you ever experienced being at a loss for words like that? Not because you didn’t have things to say, but because the words you could say weren’t jiving with you? The words were out of place for that day, for that moment, for that time.
And on the other hand, there are those bloggers that may experience “writer’s block” in the sense that most people envision it. In such cases, the ideas don’t readily come to mind in the first place. And when this phenomenon happens, it’s easy for a writer to fall into an inactivity rut, a temporary writing drought of unmotivated proportions.
So, today’s reblog resonated so strongly for me, because I lived the “what to write about” experience yesterday into today. “What Tuesday productivity tip could I share with the blogging community?”
What to do . . . what to do?
Well, you could do what I suggested almost six months ago. (I know I did. I totally used my own tip #1). Check out the recount below:
Have you ever had one of those days when nothing noteworthy comes to mind for your next writing assignment? I’m not talking about running out of ideas; I’m talking about
the fact that none of the ideas, mulling around in your head, feel quite right. You just don’t have a taste for them at that particular time. Your appetite will surely accommodate them at some future date, but just not right now. Well, let me tell you that I definitely wouldn’t advise that you throw some content out there, hoping it resonates with others (even though it’s not personally resonating with you at the moment). Why? Because it might just boomerang right back to you without encountering anyone’s attention on its path. If you’re not feeling what you’re writing, why would anyone else?
Here’s what I want you to do. When you don’t know what to write for your blog . . . READ! Reading can be one of the best motivators for getting your juices flowing when you’re stuck in a writing rut. I momentarily experienced this phenomenon (inability to write something I truly felt) yesterday. I can wholeheartedly confirm that reading came in clutch when I needed a spark to light my fire. And guess what? Well, once I started reading, the written words started flowing from me to this Degrees of Maternity blog; and the result led to what you’re reading before you at this very moment.
Don’t panic if you find yourself in writing limbo. And certainly, don’t force yourself to manufacture something uninspired to write. Just take a deep breath and get a hold of something good to read — something that will inspire, educate, or entertain you. I bet you already have that perfect go-to in mind.
So, if you feel a little “blah” when the pen meets the paper or when the fingers meet the keyboard, then try some of the following reading regimens that are sure to help trigger some write-worthy material for your corner of the blogosphere.
My Top 10 Reading Regimens for Motivation
Your old blog posts
Others’ blog posts
Chapters from an inspirational/self-help book
Quotes and positive affirmations
The Bible
Trending news for the day
Children’s books with your child (reading to him/her or with him/her)
Comics/Funnies
Social media posts
Your notebook of blog post ideas. (You should keep a notebook if you don’t have one already and write down potential ideas for blog posts right when they come to mind. You’ll need them for future purposes.)
Tip of the Week: Understand that periods of uncertainty in what to write come in different forms from having too many ideas to having ideas that don’t resonate with you to having no ideas at all. Handle all of these scenarios the same way. Know that they are temporary states of overwhelm or underwhelm that can be worked out. A writer writes . . . a blogger blogs. So, take a deep breath and a slight break. Relaxing yourself and allowing some room (time) to sort out why you’re in a non-writing mood may be the catalyst for getting those writing juices flowing again.
Get to the real root of your temporary inability to write. Find it, own it, and iron it out. And then, remember the real reason you started blogging in the first place. Usually, those two things right there will get something going in my writing world. I would suggest trying them in yours, when needed.
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