Today, I’m coming to you with a handy-dandy replay. Yes, I have a reblog treat for you. And I thought it was particularly fitting because I’m actually experiencing the events of this blog post this fine day. Every once in a while, I do. It’s the weirdest thing, too. The phenomenon I’m currently experiencing has nothing to do with a lack of ideas to put down in this blog post. It has everything to do with the right timing for topics, feeling the topics in my inner core, or knowing how to convey those topics in a truly impactful way.
So, when I come up against such an inner block (not writer’s block), I do the only thing I know to do in such cases. I come clean and admit that I’m just having one of those days where I refuse to put out a blog post that I’m just not jiving with. Sure, I could write a “Blogging Truths Be Told” post for you right here and right now, but would it truly be a “Blogging Truths Be Told” post as I intend it to be? Probably not — not in my humble opinion anyway.
But here’s what’s nice about having three years’ worth of content at Degrees of Maternity: what goes around, comes around. What I’ve learned is that blogging experiences from the past have the potential of showing up later on down the line in blogging life. So, how did I handle the inner block I was experiencing back on December 4, 2019?
Well, I READ something. And what will I probably do this go-around? Well, I’ll probably read something again. I’m figuring I sure could use some quality time with a book that I’ve placed on the backburner but know I need to get back to, or I might start reading some material from a WordPress course for bloggers that I’m eager to get started on. Or, I might even read a bunch of enlightening blog posts from you wonderful folks. More than likely — I’ll do ALL OF THE ABOVE!
Regardless of the path I take today and throughout the weekend, whatever I lay my eyes on will be a welcomed inspiration — just that jolt of creative motivation I need to make sure I’m on all cylinders for the next “Blogging Truths Be Told” coming your way.
But for now, I’d like to share with you one of my main solutions for overcoming the challenge of not knowing what to blog about — whether it’s from having no ideas to having too many ideas to not feeling the ideas that you have. Check out this brief oldie but goodie (below). Oh, and its companion post can be found here.
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.)
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