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Guest Post: Rochelle Seltzer

Sometimes I want to bring you a different voice – especially around creativity! Here’s a great guest article by my Diamond Client, Rochelle Seltzer. She’s got an amazing book coming out in January 2020 called: Live Big: A Manifesto for a Creative Life.

She also has a great gift for you >>> Get It Here.

What To Do When You Feel Stuck

Every writer has been there — feeling blocked, stuck, and frustrated. Feeling unable to access creativity, or find confidence, or get into action — or all of these problems.

Feeling stuck like this may be short-lived, or you can feel unable to get back on track for long stretches.

And it’s terrible.

I’m happy to share three approaches that have helped countless creators I work with — and that have helped me when I’ve become stuck.

 

1. Start with self-love

This one may sound a bit odd, but stay with me.

Invariable, when we get stuck our self-critic has shown up to sabotage us.

And the self-critic has an array of sneaky ways to try and stop us.

Procrastination is a big one — we put things off because deep down we doubt our ability to do that thing — or do it well enough.

Which brings us to Perfectionism, a huge way the self-critic limits us.

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Impostor syndrome is another self-critic favorite, as is comparing ourselves to others.
And fear is the biggest tool in the self-critic’s toolbox.

If any of these toxic problems resonate challenges for you, turn to the powerful antidote of self-love.

Why? Because when you have big reserves of self-love, your self-critic cannot weasel in as easily.

So what is self-love?

Self-love is just what it wounds like — loving oneself with a full heart. Loving yourself just as you love the dearest people in your life or a beloved pet.

It means feeling worthy, and deserving of abundant goodness in your life.

And contrary to common belief, self-love is not selfish! It’s crucial for well-being, and crucial for creators.

You can read about fear and procrastination, and how self-love helps you turn things around.

And check out how to build a self-love practice.

2. Next, get moving

A huge antidote to feeling writers block or any other kind of “stuckness,” is taking action. Just small steps are a fine way to start, because when you are in motion, you can build momentum.

So, what can you do to get the motion underway?

Anne Lamott’s famous “shitty first draft” approach has been a game changer for millions. If you begin to write with the clear intention of just throwing things down, you let go of pressure. And wonder of wonders, it’s always easier to revise a rough draft than to try to craft a great piece of writing from scratch. You’ll be off and running and can then stay in motion with more ease.

Or, start moving physically. Getting out for a walk or run gets your system fired up, and that makes it easier to keep things going in other ways — like writing, or any other endeavor you’ve been bogged down about.

Another way to get yourself in motion is to draw or paint. Your goal is not to make something great — just fool around with the colors that are calling out to you. I coach a poet who does a few small watercolors at her desk before she begins to write each day. She says it’s magical, as she is then able to start writing with ease.

Try making a drawing full of frustration, or anger, or worry, or anticipation. Whatever you are feeling, you can “download” the emotion to release it by drawing it out in colors and strokes that express your emotion. This is a surefire method to clear out emotions that are in your way — and it can be repeated as often as you feel the need.

3. Let yourself play

Play is not just for children. It’s a powerful way to lighten up and loosen up. If you get into a playful state — alone, or with friends, or with kids, or your dog — you feel free. That freedom can be carried right into to a writing session. Let yourself explore and see what happens when you write with this energy. Even if you don’t use anything that you first write when you begin, you will be more inspired and in motion. And you will likely feel renewed excitement about your work.

4. A bonus suggestion!

Having support always makes it easier to shift when you are challenged. Why not ask a friend who truly cares about you to be an accountability partner? Even if you buddy is not feeling creatively stuck at the moment, having someone to turn to for moral support and encouragement will make it mush easier for you to get back on track. And be sure that you celebrate each small step you take, as you test the ideas and find what works best for you. That will train your brain to do more of what turns things around for you.

And, if you want to create more space in your life for YOU — more space that will enable you to create with more ease — I have a guide that will help you do just that. It offers ideas for easy, small ways to make shifts that will have a big impact. And it’s my gift to you! Download it today.

Here’s to your ongoing creative flow!

 

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Rochelle Seltzer is a Creative Core Coach who teaches her clients to Live Big. How? By igniting and accelerating the vast power of creativity. She coaches accomplished women and creators who are frustrated by a host of challenges that limit them, but yearn to make bold moves in their lives, careers and businesses.

Living Big starts with slowing down and taking small steps.

Download Rochelle’s powerful guide to get started >>> “Creating Space for You”

(You’ll get her weekly, ‘Big Ideas Newsletter’, too!)

Kim Galloway
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