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Blogging Motivation: 7 Things to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Writing | DAllisonLee.com

Blogging Motivation: 7 Things to Do When You Don't Feel Like Writing

Is your blogging motivation in the floor? Are you struggling to find a reason to write or topics to blog about? It’s not unusual to feel uninspired or even unsure if anyone would even want to read what you have to say.
It happens to the best of us. And, fortunately, there are some specific actions you can take to get your blogging mojo back.

Blogging Motivation: 7 Ways to Get it Back

You might be confused and scratching your head about why you don’t feel motivated to blog. You were probably super passionate at one point (maybe even last week), but now you sort of hate the thought of writing. That’s okay. Don’t give up.
Instead, check out these seven things you can do right now that can inspire you to write.

1. Write anyway

It’s tough love time. Just because you don’t feel like it, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t just get over yourself and write!
Put the Pomodoro Technique to work: set your timer and write for 25 minutes. Grab your favorite beverage (non-alcoholic, of course), hunker down, and get those words out of your head.
Even an outline will do. Don’t overthink it. Just write.
Write the first thing that comes to your mind. Even if it doesn’t quite make sense in the moment. Just write!
Sometimes, starting (even when you don’t feel like it) will help get your blogging juices flowing and that motivation you’ve been seeking will pop up and flow almost out of nowhere. It’s a great feeling when that happens, so just start and see what you can produce in a 25-minute span.
Remember to turn off distractions, put your phone away, and stay away from social media. Just write.

2. Change your workspace

No, I don’t mean that you should redesign your workspace or rearrange your furniture — though that’s not a bad idea if you have time on your hands and the words just aren’t flowing from your brain.
An easier option, though, may be to change your scenery by going to an alternate workspace.

  • Work from your favorite park bench
  • Go to the library
  • Find a co-working space
  • Sit in the middle of your lawn or in your bathtub (worth a short, right?)

3. Change your capture pattern

If you’re stuck in a rut, it might be time to make other changes to help generate sparks of creativity. One thing you can change is how you create your posts.
For example, if you normally type your posts, write in a notebook instead. And, while you’re at it, use your favorite pen.
You could also walk around (yes, walk or pace back and forth) with a voice recorder and capture your thoughts. You probably won’t have to buy a recorder. Just use the native app on your smartphone.
If you really must type, consider using a distraction-free method of typing — no menus or buttons to click or pull you away from what you should be doing — writing.
Here are some apps that have a distraction-free feature:

You have nothing to lose. Why not switch things up a bit, especially if doing one (or more) of these steps might get your blogging motivation back.
 

If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you'll never get it done. ~ Bruce Lee
Don’t overthink things. Just start!

4. Take a break

A short break can help you forget your blogging troubles and put you in a writing frame of mind. There are any number of things you can do to break away from the frustration, reset your mind, and prepare yourself for a productive blogging session.
Give one of these a try:

  • Walk your dog
  • Talk to your pet or plants (don’t knock it until you try it)
  • Take a nap
  • Read a book
  • Stretch for a few minutes
  • Play a video game (don’t get sucked in!)
  • Pause and focus on your breathing

You know, it’s also entirely possible that you’re running on empty and that you really do need a break to hydrate and fuel up. So, grab a healthy snack and tall glass of water to help get your writing juices flowing.

5. Phone a friend or your blogging coach

Know someone who inspires you or just tells the best jokes? Call that person. Stat! They can help put you in a better mood so you can get out of the blogging doldrums. Or, let them ask you questions about your potential blogging topics.
When you have to tell someone else, you have to think it through and explain the process. This can help you figure things out and flesh out your thoughts. If you’re talking to a blogging coach, there will be an added layer of accountability that can be very motivating.
You might also get fresh or interesting ideas from someone else’s perspective to help you re-focus. You never know, calling a friend, blogging coach, or perhaps another blogger could help you produce your best piece of content.

… those who listened to music completed their tasks more quickly and came up with better ideas than those who didn’t, because the music improved their mood.

(Source: NYTimes.com)

6. Listen to music

Studies have shown that listening to music and nature sounds can have a positive effect on your productivity and your mood. Some argue that you have to listen to specific music (e.g., songs without lyrics), but seriously, who doesn’t feel inspired, energized, and happy after listening to some of their favorite jams?
So, grab your headphones and turn up the volume and get your body moving!
If your dance party for one doesn’t do the trick, try listening to music or ambient sounds while you write. Remember, step #2 — change your workspace? If you decide to head out to a local cafe or eatery, the ambient noise can help you to be more focused and creative and get you out of that blogging slump.
Confession time: I have been known to listen to remixes of the same song (yep, the same, exact song) through an entire blogging session. Odd? Yep, but whatever works, right?
Btw, here’s a clip (One With Nature) I found on SoundCloud that I’ve listened to a lot while I’m writing or working on client projects.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/178936909″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Listen to music to get your blogging motivation back.
So, now your homework is to come up with a playlist that works for you. Check out these websites to find tunes and sounds that can help you be more productive when it’s time to write:

7. Remember these blogging statistics

When all else fails, remember that blogging is a phenomenal platform for freelancers, small businesses, and even larger organizations to build trust with potential clients and to gain leads. This are great reasons (in addition to helping others) to get back in the swing of things, right?
Still not sure? Keep these blogging stats in mind the next time you don’t feel like writing that post:

  • B2B marketers that use blogs receive 67% more leads than those that do not. [Hubspot]
  • Companies with active blogs generate 55 percent more site visits, 97 percent more links to their websites, and their pages get indexed a whopping 434 percent more often. [B2Community]
  • 81% of U.S. online consumers trust information and advice from blogs [BlogHer]

Final Word

These are just a few things you can try to get your blogging motivation back. Just remember that these writing lulls don’t always last very long. So, be persistent. Use different tactics until something clicks.
Focus on why you started blogging in the first place. Revisit your blogging strategy and goals to stay on track. And, bookmark this post when you find yourself in a slump!
Before you go, what are some of the odd or interesting things you’ve done that help you to write when you don’t feel like it? Please share in the comments.

Hey there, I’m Deb. I’m a Digital Productivity Coach and Consultant, Certified Professional Organizer®, speaker, and lover of all things tech. I’m also addicted to apps and love helping small business owners leverage technology so they can be more productive.

This Post Has 25 Comments

  1. I think that simply acknowledging that these dips are normal and will pass can be comforting. I totally agree with taking a break.. just change the scenery, go someplace new and different, talk to people… all of these things can provide fresh inspiration!

    1. Sometimes, the simple, quick changes can make a big difference. Talking to people — even people you don’t know — can give you a fresh perspective. Thanks for stopping by, Seana. =)

  2. It’s all well and good to understand that blogging is a valuable entrepreneurial tool, but keeping it going is work!
    Each of us faces different motivational challenges at different times, and you may have addressed them all.
    Thanks for this thorough list of powerful suggestions!

    1. Yep, it is work. Rewarding, but work none the less. Thanks for stopping by, Alison, and feel free to share things you do to stay motivated. =)

  3. To keep me motivated to write, I installed a marker board wall. It’s 5 feet wide by 7 feet long. It helps me write out my big picture plan for the series that I want to do. It has kept me motivated to finish blog series. Thank you for sharing your tips.

    1. Dry erase boards are awesome work really well for brainstorming and planning. Thanks for the tip, Sabrina. =)

  4. Deb, did I miss the suggestion to use a blog (writing) template like the one you have? 🙂 Using a template that you are adding info to keeps the excitement going, I think. Thanks for the encouragement.

    1. Ah, yes, you’re right, Debbie. A blog post template is easy to follow and can help you to just get started even when you don’t feel like writing. Thanks for the reminder! … and I hope that the template is working for you. =)

  5. I love to call a friend and brain storm! That can get me a ton of new ideas and get me fired up to write! I also love taking a complete day (or more) off from the computer! I can’t wait to check out some of these tech apps you’ve recommended!

    1. Great idea to just take a day to be away from the computer, Autumn. =)

      Let me know which apps you decide to try. I’ve discovered that I love SoundCloud and I don’t need a variety of songs. I can listen to the same song over and over again. But, on most days (like today), I have to work in pin drop silence.

    1. Whatever works, right? Sometimes the simple solutions have the biggest impact. Thanks for dropping by, Sarah. =)

  6. Yes! Great post. I love focus@will, it’s great!

    I especially like your points 2 and 3. Because usually I want to write in the morning, so it’s not time for a break yet. So, either I change workspace or I switch to pen and paper. Or, just get over the burden of starting. JUST DO IT 🙂

    1. Starting is often the main hurdle. Once you get going, the creativity starts to flow. So, yes, just do it! Thanks for dropping in, Jonas. =)

  7. These are some great ideas for writers of anything, not just blogs. But also, #1) why not alcoholic? LOL! I submit that it loosens inhibitions and is worth a try. Just don’t publish until you’ve read it over sober the next day!

    1. Haha! I hadn’t thought about it from that perspective, Hazel. If ever I try that, I’ll let you know how it works! =)

  8. Sometimes the problem is that the topic I’ve picked just isn’t doing it for me. When that happens, I’ll just save whatever I’ve done so far for another time, and if I really can’t come up with any ideas, I’ll look at old posts to find one I can update and republish – that way the bulk of the work is already done for me.

  9. What an awesome list of suggestions! I especially like the idea of changing the environment where you’re writing along with changing the tools you’re writing with. I often write on my desktop, but have been known to grab my iPad and write somewhere else. I remember the first time I did that…at a Starbucks. It was exciting and different…and enough to get my thoughts going in a new direction.

    The other idea that resonated with me was writing even if you don’t “FEEL” like it. I’ve been pretty good about that. I have my writing day, although the time varies. I’ve been thinking lately about adjusting the schedule…mixing things up! 🙂 But even if I’m not “feeling it,” I’m still pretty consistent about writing on my designated day. There are times when I give myself a free pass, NOT to write. And I’m OK with that too.

    Thanks for the extra inpsiration and great ideas for re-motivating myself.

    1. I love the idea of mixing things up! It does get your brain to think a little differently. And, it can change that FEELING. Always love hearing from you, Linda. Thanks for stopping by. =)

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