If we were having coffee, I’d tell you I’ve missed our chats over the past couple of months. Oh, I’ve missed lots of other blogging things, too. But today, I was determined to have our little chat over a cup of coffee at this space.
So, how have you been? Hope you had a wonderful week and are looking forward to a great weekend.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that right now, I am very disappointed with myself. I am observing since the past few months that I just don’t feel like writing. Whatever little I have blogged these past two and a half months, is by forcing myself.
Initially, I believed that it’s just a phase and I would get back into the groove of mindless chatter on my blog in a day or two. But looks like this ‘don’t-feel-like-writing’ feeling has overstayed its welcome.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that it’s not that there is paucity of ideas. Last week I was in Kuwait. I clicked so many amazing sights on my phone with the sole aim of sharing them as a series on my blog here. At Delhi airport, I was writing a blog post in my head when I observed something interesting. Just yesterday, I came across a beautiful memory lying in my library cupboard and I was so excited to share it with you. And there are so many blogging prompts that I keep seeing all around me. So, you see, I have plenty of ideas, but I am just not able to commit myself to express/write them.
Almost every day, I have opened my Windows Live Writer to write a post, but within few seconds, I just don’t have the drive or energy to write. A big strong voice in my head tells me, “Aah! I don’t feel like writing” and I meekly give in and get back to reading or doing something else. And you know what, this giving up so easily depresses and drains me. Hell, I even feel guilty.
If we were having coffee, I’d like you to know that I am pretty disciplined about my work commitments which involves writing, so, why am I failing at writing on my blog? Am I being plain lazy? Am I lacking discipline? Next month it’s AtoZ challenge and I am wondering should I participate to get into the habit of writing or should I skip it this year for I might just make a mess of it! Should I abandon this blog for a while or may be forever, given the state of mind I am in? I have no answers to these questions that keep popping in my head and this is driving me nuts.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that, on the one hand I want to write on my blog but on the other hand I don’t ‘feel’ like writing. I know this is simply crazy. Can you make sense out of this? Do you have any wise words or suggestions for me?
I wish your coming week is better than the last and that you will stop by the comments and let me know what you’ve been up to!
Until next time… ciao!
Linking this to #WeekendCoffeeShare
54 Responses
Oh! If only I could say something to make you feel better. I’ve been going through something similar. My problem is time. I want to but I am finding hard to spare a decent time to pen a post. I’m also wondering about A to Z and I’m not sure I’m up to it this time 🙁
Feels like something is in the air.
Aah! Et tu, Parul! I just hope that it’s truly in the air and that this air moves somewhere else!!
Big hugs, Shilpa. I kind of guessed this when I saw your last post on the tree. Guess what? It’s okay. Don’t push yourself too much. Write when you want to and don’t feel compelled to publish. Take a break, take your time to read, take all the time you need for yourself. We’ll all be here, waiting for you. As long as your health is fine and you are emotionally all right, don’t worry. Writing is right there, in your blood. It won’t go anywhere. This I know and trust. Always here to listen if you want to chat.
Thank you for your kind and uplifting words, Shailaja. I hope to snap out of this lethargic and inactive state. A big hug back to you ♥
This happens for those who write regularly but am sure you will get over this soon:)
I hope so too, Mr Bhatia. Thank you for your encouraging words 🙂
Honestly, I was going through the same. I couldn’t post at all, thanks to my vacation to Thailand. I wasn;t up for A to Z. But then, I thought I would as well take it up. I think you should too. I so loved your 55ers last two years. So, pretty please? Much love.
Am really glad that you are taking up the AtoZ challenge and that too with 2 blogs! That’s like taking bull-of-not-able-to-write by its horns. Kudos to you, Shalini. I am sure, you will rock this April. Thanks for your nudge, am participating in AtoZ too. Hope, I am able to manage it this time. A hug to you ♥
Shilpa, how I feel you? I am going through a similar phase. I have not even read much in the past 2 months. I am not writing as much as I want too but I feel guilty all the time for neglecting the blog. My major issue is my work commitments and children’s exams are leaving me with no energy. I am also not doing A2Z this time. I am just letting it pass. Try some meme posts as you did earlier.
Aah! But you have valid reasons for not writing, Lata. Hope you get back to your blog actively real soon and thanks for sharing your thoughts and suggestions 🙂
I know exactly how you feel. I kind of fell apart the last 3-4 months. The blog and even speaking up on things that mattered… just didn’t seem worth it. I am not out of it yet. But I am slowly pulling myself up again… we do it one small post at a time. frivolous, non-personal if need be but we make a start.
We dig ourselves out of the rut we have gotten into.
You know, Roshan, your thoughts and the quote ‘The worst thing you do write is better than the best thing you don’t write’, you shared in our group actually got me started. Thanks for inspiring and wonderful pointers to get started!! 🙂
I can’t always write meaningfully but I still try.Everyday I try.Even a year back I was having problem wriding regularly.But once I tooK up the 500 words everyday challenge by Jeff Goins I realized this thing is following Newtons law .
Inertia of writing or inertia of writing block , what will affect you will depend on what you are doing.That you are still writing and gave ideas us wonderful Just promise yourself never to stop Plus it shouldn’t get boring.When we stop having fun it stops being any use to us. Hope this helps.
That’s a wonderful piece of advice, Amrita. Thanks for sharing that. Appreciate it. 🙂
Don’t force yourself, if you need a break take it. As for A – Z, you have a bit more time to decide if you feel up to it. Even if you start and decide you’re not feeling it; that is okay. “Coffee is my favourite way to trick myself into doing stuff.” – SweatpantsAndCoffee.com
Nice post, thanks for sharing.
https://writingiscommunication.wordpress.com/
Thank you, Shari for your thoughtful advice. I am going to act on it. I like that quote, and I hope it works for me too 😀
Just take it easy.
I will. Thank you, SG 🙂
Sometimes I feel this way too! Though I want to write, I don’t feel like writing. But I feel you must try writing more just like you wrote this post. Take up the A to X challenge, I’m sure you will rock!
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Reema. I am doing the AtoZ, though havent thought of any theme as yet. Are you participating in this challenge?
Sorry to hear you’re feeling this way. I think the A-Z challenge might be just what you need to get yourself back on track with your writing. Hope you’ll find your answers soon! 😉
Thank you for dropping by, Michelle. Appreciate your kind words. Yes, am hoping that A-Z challenge will get me back on the track! 🙂
Sometime we have a writer’s block. Just relax for awhile and forget about the world. Go on and on and in no time you will feel like writing again. With books I read a favorite over again it gets me going. Can’t do that with writing.
Thank you for your sweet words, Betty. Am hoping that I am able to write on my blog without feeling stressed about it. 🙂
I’m sure it’s just a phase. Right now you would rather be doing than writing about it, and if you have to write for work, writing might seem too much like work (I do very little with computers or technology at home for that reason). Sometimes I just have to force myself to start writing. After i get the first paragraph out of the way, the rest of it just flows.
I like this thing that you mentioned about getting the first paragraph out of the way… and it’s so very true. I am going to adopt this strategy and hope things look up for me. Thanks for your wonderful piece of advice, Trent. Appreciate it 🙂
I’ve missed you here Shilpa and I thought you too had exam fever (like me) and that your thoughts were taken up by A so didn’t bother you. All I’ll say is ‘It is a phase’. I’m sure you hear it all the time but seriously that’s just what it is. You managed this one, right? Meanwhile try a picture post. Would love to see what you saw in Kuwait.
You are such a sweetheart, Tulika. Love you!
Yeah, A’s exams was on my mind but I had time on my hands to write and didnt make use of it. *Sigh*
I sincerely hope and pray that it’s just a phase and it passes away real soon. Thanks for your kind words. Appreciate them 🙂
Sounds like you need a little break from blogging for a week or two. Jot down your ideas in a notebook and get back to them once you come back from your break refreshed.
Thank you for your wonderful advice, Colline. Appreciate it 🙂
This happened with me too. I hated that phase. 😥
Glad that you are out of it, Simran. Happy writing 🙂
Hi Shilpa – to start with, if we were having coffee, I’d pay 🙂 As for the writing conundrum – I think I may be starting to come out of a similar period (I hope I am)… We would love to see your pics of your travels and i wonder; if you don’t feel like writing, maybe just post the pics. I am finding that writing haiku is helping me (quick and yet still able to convey what i want to say). I agree with Shailaja when she advises not to push yourself, we will wait until you are comfortable… it will be worth the wait 🙂 Blessings and hugs to you 🙂
Aww! That’s so sweet of you, Andy. Ok, but next time, our coffee would be on me 🙂
You have nudged me to share all that’s lying dormant in my phone and mind too. Thanks for your inspiring and kinds words. Appreciate it ♥
It’s okay, Shilpa. Don’t stress too much over it. This will pass. I have always been envoys of how prolific a blogger you always are. I guess you just need some time off to recharge your batteries. Hugs.
Your words comfort me, Rachna. Hope to get back on my blogging track real soon. Thanks for your support, appreciate it. ♥
I totally get you, Shilpa. Having experienced going in and out of such phases I know exactly what you mean. I’ve missed reading you too. Come back soon
Aah! You have experienced this too, Uma! Thanks for your support. Appreciate it ♥
I know this feeling too well. I’ve been stuck in it for some time and this is why I’ve decided to not participate in the A to Z challenge this year.
You should take it easy Shilpa. One of these days, you’ll feel you’re ready to blog away like before. Till then, have a relaxed break 🙂
Oh. You arent participating this year?! That’s sad. Loved reading your thoughts on parenting last year. I am going to attempt the AtoZ chellenge this year and hope to get out of this inactive phase. Thanks for your kind words, ME 🙂
I went through the same thing Shilpa for the last 5-6 months. I think we all reach saturation point somewhere along the way. Just go with the flow or post a picture a week.
Thanks for your kind and comforting words, Suzy! I am going to do just that and looking forward to participate in the AtoZ with you, next month 🙂
I think going with the flow helps, narrating small incidents, weaving poetry or very short fiction. A break always peps someone where you can write blog topics on a blank sheet. I’d say keep it slow. It happened to me during the start of the year and took a month long break:)
Thanks for your suggestions, Vishal. Will work on them. 🙂
I am not able to get myself to write much too…. Sigh!
Aah! Hope you get your writing mojo back too, Jayashree 🙂
I wish I had the magic words to help you pick up on your writing. I can tell you are a wonderful writer and with all the blogging prompts in your head….well….I’d love to read your stuff! Everyone has down times. I’m going to hope yours is very temporary!
Aww! You are so sweet, Rosemary. Your words have warmed my heart. Thanks for your kind words. Appreciate them 🙂
You know what, Shilpa? Most bloggers take an official break from blogging. Some decide to yearly take the month of February off, for example. There is nothing wrong with that!
I’ve been guilty of the exact same thing as you (a bazillion blog post ideas, photos for posts, whatnot and then doing nothing with them). Just brush them off, forgive yourself because there is no obligation to have to do it. And when the inspiration to write comes again, (as it did this week-end!) then you will feel fresh and ready!
I liked the idea of taking an official break when you feel that your creative juices arent flowing that well. That would do wonders for your peace of mind and you would not fret and worry because you are not writing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and wonderful suggestions too, Dale. Appreciate them ♥
All about choices, don’t feel bad. Just start again where you left off if you want to. I constantly fight this battle!
Yes, it’s all about choices. I am going to write again, real soon. Thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts EdinburghCook 🙂
I haven’t been able to write too, and I’d like to say that you at least made the effort to write, I couldn’t. I think it might be a phase, and eventually, we’ll get over it. Hey, but does it mean you aren’t in for the A-Z this year?
I seriously hope that this phase just vanishes in thin air now. Yes, I am participating in AtoZ this year. Hoping that this will clear the clouds of inactivity and lethargy on this blog. Looking forward to doing the AtoZ with you, Shubhangi 🙂