Creative Juices Running Dry? Close That Laptop and Get Out into the Real World
Taking an extended break from writing can work wonders for letting the creative juices accumulate and percolate…
I’ve been busy. Very bloody busy. First it was Christmas, then came a new baby (Erin, born December 26th- both mother and baby are doing really well, thanks). Following this it was a raft of job interviews which saw me driving up and down the country juggling work with the recurring cross-examinations at various Seoul universities. I’m pleased to say I did end up getting a job; a pretty good one I hope (at least it is on paper). Naturally, this meant the inevitable search for new digs in an unknown parts of the world’s largest metropolis all while making nice for the parents-in-law for Korean New Year. Phew. Feel my pain? Still, it’s all looking up now and I’m happy to say things seem to be falling into place for us. This has all meant, of course, that I have had no time to write. All through December and January, I kept checking my Medium stats, sadder each day at my falling earnings and viewing figures. When was I going to get this show back on the road?
But then I realised. This was just the break I had unconsciously been needing to refresh my writing, ideas and general creativity. Come November 2021, I had pretty much run out of steam of Medium. I was spending ages each day trying to think of new topics and angles for my articles but failing to come up with anything remotely appealing and interesting.
Since taking this enforced ‘holiday’ from writing, I’ve managed to build up a completely new bank of ideas to write about. Sure, the time away itself helped but probably what gave me even more impetus was the obstacle-course of experiences and emotions I went through between November last year and now. They opened my eyes to things I hadn’t considered before as well as allowing me to grow professionally and personally, and I feel that I have come out the other side a more poised, mature writer even in the space of just a couple of months. Expect a whole load of new content from me in the coming months ahead!
So, if you’re struggling for ideas, take a lead from me. Close that laptop lid and get out into the real world for a few days at least (obviously, I recommend longer but this may not be practical for everyone). Soak in all it has to offer you and let it expand your mind and your horizons. When you finally come back to to your desk, you’ll find you fingers flying across that keyboard, and the words leaping onto the page, desperate to be heard.
Here’s to 2023 and may it be considerably less crap than last year!
