We all get a mental block every now and then. For bloggers, a mental block is especially annoying, since there are followers eagerly awaiting updates. There are just some days when we just stare at a blank screen and can’t write.. Or create… or design.. It’s not always a matter of being tired or lazy, but a matter of simply not being able to focus.
The good news is that there are plenty of ways to find inspiration and creativity. Here are some ideas that you will hopefully find helpful:
Try writing at a different time or different place – Perhaps a change of scenery is all you need. While it’s important to form writing habits, it’s sometimes more effective to experiment. Take your laptop in another room or even outside. If you’re on a desktop, just try writing at a different time than usual. Go for a walk or watch a movie – just do something to disrupt the routine a bit.
Use social media to find some interesting topics – What are some of the most popular hashtags on Twitter at the moment? Are there any interesting discussions on Reddit’s front page? Check out some trending images and videos on Instagram. Look for questions or problems people are pondering about and try to come up with some answers. It never hurts to be philosophical.
Take a break from writing for your readers – If you’re trying to come up with interesting topics for your readers, stop. Try writing for yourself for once. Even if it doesn’t necessarily suit your blog, try getting something off of your chest. Once you start writing again, more ideas will start to come.
Try something other than writing – Spend some time learning or doing something else. There are plenty of other ways to get creative on the internet. Go to coding bootcamp and learn how to design your own template or app. What kind of neat looking graphics can you create for your blog? Give it a total makeover. You might also want to experiment with Photoshop.
Revisit your old posts – Can’t come up with something new? Go back to the old and carefully analyze it. Is everything in the post still relevant? Have you had any changes of opinion? Has something major happened in your life (or regarding the post’s content) since the time you posted it? It may be time to create a Part 2.
“Borrow” some ideas – If part of the reason why you have a mental block is because you always want to come up with unique posts, then it won’t hurt to look at other blogs for some ideas every now and then. You can still be a bit original by “making them your own” or putting your own spin on things.
Post a poll – Give your audience a chance to help you overcome your inspiration. Not only does the poll serve as an update to your blog, it’s also a means to interact with other like-minded people. Ask them which topics they would like to read more about. Or simply post an interesting question relevant to your industry or niche. Give them a chance to comment and provide feedback as well. This will help to inspire you to come up with new ideas.
If you still need some inspiration, you could always try an idea generator, like the ones offered by Old Dominion University Libraries. Austin Coding Academy is worth looking into if you are interested in coding and design.
