What to do when you feel you have nothing to say

I’ve sat and stared at this screen for a while. Waiting for inspiration to strike, and to create the 800-word blog that I hope will inspire or educate you. This is probably day three of this process, where I’ve continued a loop of “typing and deletion”. The words just wouldn’t flow like they usually do. Every title I’ve previously crafted and slid into my “to-write” list, has left me listless and uninspired. I’ve even found myself travelling online to ChatGPT. Could this be the answer to my content conundrum? For reasons unknown, I’ve struggled this week to create my blog. Then, it struck me. My inability to write is the actual topic I should be sharing. What to do when you feel like you have nothing to say.

Anyone that has spent any time with me, either personally or professionally, may be surprised to read I occasionally get writer’s block.  I could blame overwhelm or workload, but dear reader, I don’t think it’s fair to blame something that isn’t actually the truth. The reality is simple. For this week, it seems, my creative spark is a bit flat. I know, from precious slumps, that this is temporary. It is why, over a normal week, I tend to batch-write things.  I know the umbrella topic I want to pursue each month and focus on the written exploration that will bring those bullet points into a fuller article.   But this week, the words just won’t come.

My usual approach is a creative practice. The accountability of a weekly blog means I MUST write. No excuse, no side-step. I imagine the realms of readers patiently waiting for my weekly publications and creating with them in mind. This commitment gives me the drive and focus to make sure I am publishing regularly.

It’s a common assumption that writing just happens. That you are gripped by an external force – maybe a mystical muse – that creates an out-of-body experience and the ideas just flow. Anyone that has spent any time understanding the art of writing (by reading, A LOT) has seen this isn’t the case.  For me, I slot in regular writing times, blocked out and protected in my diary, for this creative practice to happen.

But what happens if the words don’t come? Often, they exist but are buffered behind a layer of self-doubt.  So often that is the number one reason, people who can write, don’t write. We worry: What if my view doesn’t count? What if I am criticized? Or, worse, mocked?  There are times when these thoughts hold me back.

This article is more like a stream of consciousness than a blog but has one underlying message. It doesn’t matter what you are trying to write. It could be a blog like mine, looking to support and share my business. It might be a piece of fiction, exploring your creative abilities. It could be a longer-form social media post, developing your activist stance. Maybe poetry to entertain or educate. The core message is the same. EVERYONE has something to say.

Nothing is original anymore. Every idea, invention, conversation, and communication will draw on something that already exists. Your unique perspective, based on your life journey; your upbringing, your values, education, ethics and lived experience, allows you to develop your voice, and share it where, when and with whom, you feel comfortable.

I know from speaking to clients, colleagues, and connections, both online and in real-time, that my words do catch their attention. From my out of office that gives them the confidence to create work boundaries, to step-by-step checklists to help you create a career to enjoy, my voice matters. It’s OK if it joins in with those of others – sometimes reinforcing a message that exists – as it just creates a chorus of communication that builds a movement.

So, if you currently have any doubts about the impact of your words, take it from me. It is always worth sharing.