Picture this. The cursor blinks incessantly on the blank screen, a stark reminder that the well of creativity is beyond empty. You sit there, fingers poised over the keyboard; but no words come. Instead, your inner critic begins its relentless assault, questioning your ability to be creative and casting doubt on your worth as a writer. It’s enough to make you wonder if slamming your face into the keyboard might yield more coherent prose than anything you could muster. Sound familiar?
When faced with the deafening roar of your inner critic, it’s essential to have a few tricks up your sleeve to quiet the noise and reclaim your creative mojo. Here are a few strategies to help you silence that mean-spirited inner voice and get back to the business of writing.
Be encouraged.
First and foremost, acknowledge that writing is not just a hobby or a pastime—it’s a calling. You’ve spent time in prayer, seeking guidance from the Lord; and you feel a burden on your heart for a particular group of people. In those moments of reliance on the Lord and the passion you hold for your audience, you already possess everything you need to eventually bring your work to fruition. Trusting in God’s plan and having hope for your readers are powerful motivators that can help drown out the negative chatter of your inner critic.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that something is standing in your way—a barrier preventing you from tapping into your creative flow. Take a moment to identify what you need and address it head-on. Are you tired, distracted, or overwhelmed? Perhaps your inner critic is merely a reflection of how you’re feeling toward yourself, and you’re not always the most compassionate critic. In those moments, it’s time to practice self-compassion.
Be nicer to yourself.
What does self-compassion look like in practice? Well, think about how you would treat a friend in need of encouragement. You’d likely offer a kind word, a listening ear, and maybe even a cup of coffee. So, why not extend the same grace and kindness to yourself? Treat yourself to a little pick-me-up, whether it’s a latte from your favorite coffee shop or a chat with a trusted friend. Sometimes, all it takes is a small gesture of self-care to shift your perspective and quiet your inner critic.
If the gentle approach doesn’t quite do the trick, it might be time to escalate to DEFCON 2: rest and relaxation. If your mind is feeling frazzled and overwhelmed, forcing yourself to soldier on will only lead to further frustration. Instead, give yourself permission to step away and recharge. Take a nap, go for a walk, or simply allow yourself a few moments of quiet reflection. Sometimes, letting your mind rest is the most effective way to jumpstart your creativity and silence the inner critic once and for all.
Keep on going.
Silencing your inner critic is not always easy, but it’s essential for unleashing your creativity and fulfilling your calling as a writer. By acknowledging your call, practicing self-compassion, and taking time to rest and recharge, you can overcome the negative self-talk and get the job done. Remember, great writing comes from a place of authenticity and vulnerability, so don’t let your inner critic hold you back.
The Goofy English Language
Something deep inside insists
that this time it may just might
pay not to be he who persists
and turn my back on what I write,
for is it not quite the conceit
to ape the Bard in poetry?
Why not stop, admit defeat,
for I cannot be such as he,
and each poem’s an embarrassment
when re-read in dawn’s harsh glare,
and does not touch a fundament,
but blows on whirling heedless air,
ephemera too bland to stay…
but I’ll hang on for one more day.
This week, in particular, has been hard-pressing with setbacks both physical and emotional, and it can be feel really futile, this fourteen-line ababcdcdefefgg world. I mean, what can you contribute that’s not at best a bad joke when you’re supposed to be in hospital anyway, and your heart’s been well and and truly broken?
And thus, One More Day, one more sonnet.
I’ll still have time to quit tomorrow.
Andrew, you already know what I am going to say. You ask what can you contribute? Are you kidding? Your contributions to this blog are one of the best things about it (well, aside from the wisdom of the posters). But it’s more than that. You provide what every writer dreams of doing, why we all write. To touch the hearts and souls of our readers. Sometimes we even find out that something we wrote actually touched someone, made a difference in their lives, and when that happens, an angel from God descends to us and smiles. And we rejoice. You, my friend, should be rejoicing every day for the way your words reach and touch us. I have already published one of your poems in God and Nature, and in a few weeks another one “The Choice” will reach a few thousand readers. And I know you will not quit. The good Lord will not let you. We all, His servants, need you.
Sy, thank you. I’m just flat-out exhausted, and it’s really hard these days to find an upbeat theme, and write it coherently.
And yet, the effort is needed, not least of all for my own soul. Cutting the landscape vista of achievement down to a daily horizon helps a lot, because I can focus on keeping message and quality for that one day.
God made the world round for a reason, that we couldn’t see too far ahead.
Andrew …. what Sy said!! I stand amazed, with all you’re going through physically, that you can still be so creative! Because I know well how our physical body can affect our mind and spirit. And the enemy wants you to quit.
As the Cowardly Lion once said, “I’d walk right up to him and spit in his eye!”
And you’re doing just that when you keep writing. 🙂
((hugs)) and prayers!
Well, well said, Megan! Remembering that the Lord wants us to write, and then trusting him to lead and even provide has been the “ticket” for me for 13 years now. I wonder how writers who aren’t believers (or trusters?) manage to keep going?
I liked your distinction between “forcing yourself to soldier on” and “keep on going.” We don’t have to “force” it, just trust it and take another step.
Thanks!
“Be nicer to yourself.”
This is huge. Once I learned to be nice/kind to myself and not feel guilty about it, I became a lot more productive! Jesus took time to rest and pray. He was being nice/kind to Himself. We should do no less.
Just what I needed to hear. Thank you 🙂