Writer’s block

"Write hard and clear about what hurts." - Ernest Hemingway

My best work has always been inspired by Hemingway's advice. It's the way I've always wielded this funny little talent of stringing letters together to make beautiful words into an impactful difference. The problem is, therapy is finally working and I'm managing my hurt in different ways. Instead of drinking a bottle of wine and sitting down with my laptop to unpack all the words floating around in my head, I'm doing breathwork, meditating, going for walks/ hikes, and talking problems out with the people I have the problems with.

Are there bad moments? Absolutely. Is anxiety still a part of my daily battle? Without a doubt. But I have been processing it all so differently lately that I haven't been able to write a damn thing in months. And that is absolutely terrifying for someone who's identity is pretty tightly tied to writing.

Last night, I finally acknowledged the growing fear out loud: what if I am not actually a writer? What if I was just a sad, desperate person who was in need of connection so badly that writing was my only outlet? How am I supposed to be a writer if I don't have anything to say?

That's when a wise little owl reminded me, "You tell me all the time that Ernest Hemingway says, 'write hard and clear about what hurts.' And right now, it sounds like what hurts is your writer's block."

Hmm.

Writing about writer's block seemed a little ridiculous initially. But, is it any more ridiculous than writing about a betrayal, a broken heart, or our biggest fears? Not really. In many ways, it is just a temporary manifestation of all of those things. Writer's block is a human experience and most creators experience some version of it before a major breakthrough. At least, that's what I've been told.

So for now, I'm going to apparently be writing about writer's block until my next project decides to bubble to the surface. I just have to have faith that there's more for me to say and it will make itself known in time. In the off chance that there isn't, in case I've already written all I was ever meant to write, I suppose this will have to do as a last message out to the world.

Loves, keep going. Keep doing whatever it is your weird little hearts enjoy. Even when you hit the wall. Do it, despite the wall. Rest when you need to, but please, please don't give up on yourself, your talents, or your passions. We need what you have, so keep bringing it to the table in whatever capacity you can offer it.

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Originally posted October 2022 on my old site, Keeping it Kate.