Unclogging (Blankness)
We’ve all heard of a writer’s block, a creative block, or something else along those lines, or maybe even think we’ve experienced one, but in all reality, it’s actually a self-imposed state of mind that causes that block. It’s only when we try really hard, and are burdened by our own preconceptions of the result, when access to our imagination get obstructed. I’m no stranger to having delusions of an outside force influencing my ability to output – about a year ago, I decided to start writing this blog... 52 entries later, I look back and can honestly say, that I was unsure what to write about, even as I sat down to write, in at least half of those entries.
HOW?
Don’t worry, having a hard time producing something is not an extraordinary thing in the world we live in. We’ve been brought up to compare ourselves to others, while we’re also being taught to think more about what we aim for, than on doing. With the combined static of the media surrounding us, and with the buzzing of push notifications, and incoming mails, it’s a wonder we’re actually able to make anything. Nowadays, we can find pages that offer tips, such as: shut off your phone, listen to lo-fi music, get enough sleep etc. Yes, these tips help, but they do not solve the main problem – our minds are mostly clogged. All blocks are caused by something, so until we find our own technique to un-choke the flow of our minds, we tend to either accept our current limitations, or forcefully swim against the stream. I got really tired by doing one or the other for most of my life.
WHAT NOW?
Not every technique is for everyone, but I’d say that actually starting to do something, even when we feel blocked, is a good start even for the most doubtful. Alternatively, sitting down for 15 minutes to put out all the bad ideas on paper, is a super nice way to filter out some of the junk from our mind. And just sometimes, not all of those ideas are bad. For me, though, the main reason that I got to write 52 blog entries, was that through meditation, I learned that thoughts manifest physically. Whenever I feel obstructed, I’ve learned to notice which segment of my head feels tight and tense. Learning to let go of that tension often leads to other tight spots. Once all are relaxed, the mind starts working as intended, sharing ideas that are waiting to be uncovered. But whatever technique you’ll discover and try, remember this – it should never be our job to force thoughts; it should always be our job to help them flow better.