How to Overcome Writer’s Block

…Especially When You Think Too Much

I think too much. I always have. It’s one of those qualities that I simultaneously love and loathe about myself. I’m inside my head and sometimes I can’t get out. What does that mean exactly? My dad calls it “analysis paralysis.” He didn’t make that up. It’s a concept that’s been around forever and when you do a quick online search, you can find over 3.6 million articles.  

It basically means I sometimes think so much that I’m not able to come to a conclusive decision. Or I spend so much time thinking that the moment passes me by.  I’m the opposite of spontaneous.

On the other hand, I think a lot so when I am able to come to a decision it’s very rational.

My fiance calls me logical. That’s a nice way to put it. I can clearly analyze a situation and put into perspective the pro’s and con’s of any action. I call it boring. Who wants to sit around and think about things from every angle before you can come up with a solution? Just do something!

It’s an internal dialog that both plagues me and sets me apart. In my career, I’m viewed as level-headed and a problem solver. People come to me for advice and guidance. It’s a nice feeling.  

But then there are those moments where I can’t move. I sit and ponder, weighing every possible solution and outcome. It especially irks me when it comes to my writing. Most people experience writer’s block at one point or another. But when you’re blocked because your mind is so cluttered by over-thinking, that’s a problem. Writer’s block is often thought of as having no ideas, but sometimes I have too many.

I think most recently, this analysis paralysis is coming from self-doubt. I hate to admit that because I’m honestly very confident, but the logical side of me is weighing the possibility of failure. What if my writing isn’t good enough? What if my ideas aren’t original? What if I’m not contributing anything important? You catch my drift.

I think it’s natural that at the beginning of a new venture to feel a bit insecure. Especially when it comes to blogging, which means you’re putting your thoughts and feelings out into the world wide web for anyone to see. And again, the questions start filling my head.

But I’ve been dealing with this internal dialog that won’t quit my entire life. So sometimes I can talk myself out of paralysis just as quickly as I thought myself into it. Does that make sense? And the ironic part is, writing helps.

When I have a million and one thoughts in my head, jotting things down gets them out. Bullet points, to-do lists, self-evaluations, thoughts on the weather, just about anything that’s in there can be written down. And once it’s on paper, it’s somewhat out of my head.  

So even though writer’s block happens, once I get passed over-analyzing why I have writer’s block, I’m able to get some writing done. Weird, right?

I don’t think this is new or brilliant information. In fact, I think almost any guidebook or advice column about writing would probably say to overcome writer’s block, you need to just start writing. Something, anything.

I guess my realization is that writer’s block often has a root cause. You’re not out of ideas. The well is not dried up. It’s not you. Well, it is you, but not because you have nothing to say. In fact, it’s probably that you have too much to say and you don’t know where to start.  

So instead of sitting on the couch and curling into the fetal position, do something about it! And if you don’t know where to start, here are some ways that I overcome writer’s block:

1. Step away from your computer for 15 minutes and take a walk. Walking gets the blood flowing and helps to re-energize your entire body. It’s also good for your heart. If you’re stuck inside, trying climbing the stairs or just do laps around the house or office. Yoga works, too.
2. Make a list. Literally, any list. It can be your to-do list. It can be your favorite vacation destinations or your favorite ice cream flavors. Or it can be a list of the questions that are stuck inside your head. I can guarantee that that list can be turned into a blog post within minutes. Try it, I think you’ll like it.
3. Read someone else’s blog. Or catch up on the news. Other people’s work and current events can be great inspiration for your own writing. Challenge yourself to learn something new and then share that information with your readers.
4. Re-read your own blog posts. Sometimes it’s good to look back and reflect on the good work that you’ve already done. Maybe something that you wrote about previously will spark another idea. Maybe you can do a follow-up post or turn a well-received post into a new series. Or maybe you can update something that’s changed over time.  
5. Do something else that’s productive. Catch up on scheduling social media posts. Reply to comments and emails. Dive into your financials. Being productive is important to keep your mind stimulated, so you’re not just sitting there thinking about what you’re not getting done.
6. Make yourself a cup of hot tea. I think tea is the cure for almost everything. Bad days, sick days, writer’s block. It seriously soothes the soul and warms you up from the inside out. Plus, taking some time to stop thinking about what you’re doing (or not doing) can be good for your mind.  

There are probably one thousand other things you can do to do help overcome writer’s block because of overthinking. These strategies are tried and true ways for me, so I hope they can offer you some guidance.  

My biggest piece of advice is to not beat yourself up for thinking too much. That’s how we become paralyzed. It’s like a vicious cycle of over-thinking and then thinking about over-thinking, over and over and over. So instead of feeding the cycle, do something external that will remove you from the internal dialog.

Do you suffer from writer’s block because of overthinking from time to time? Please tell me I’m not the only one! What are some things you do to overcome your block? I’d love to hear in the comments below.