Feyikemi Oyewumi
The Writer's block
"When the Words Disappear: How I Fought Writerâs Block and Won (Mostly)"
You sit down with a cup of coffee, crack your knuckles, and open a blank document. Your fingers hover over the keyboard, ready to create magic. And then⌠nothing. No words, no ideas, just a frustrating silence in your brain that feels like someone hit the mute button.
Hello, writerâs block. My old frenemy.đđ
If youâve ever been there (and I know you have because who hasnât?), you know the unique cocktail of anxiety, frustration, and self-doubt it brings. Itâs not just about struggling to write; itâs about questioning if youâre even capable of writing. Dramatic? Maybe. Real? Absolutely.
Hereâs my story of grappling with writerâs block, complete with the tears, coffee overdoses, and small wins that eventually helped me find my words again.
Let's hit the road because this journey is about to get more interesting đ
The Day It Hit Me
It was a Tuesday,rainy, cold, and perfect for writing. I had a deadline looming for an article I was sure Iâd breeze through. I sat down, opened my laptop, and⌠stared at the blinking cursor. For hours.
No words. No ideas. Just this overwhelming feeling of "What if Iâve run out of things to say?"
I tried everything. Pacing the room. Making yet another cup of tea. Scrolling social media for âinspirationâ (spoiler: bad idea). Nothing worked. By the end of the day, I had written exactly three sentences, all of which I hated.
And that was just the beginning.
Writerâs Block: The Emotional Rollercoaster
Let me tell you, writerâs block isnât just a creative problemâitâs an emotional one. Itâs like a bad breakup, where you suddenly canât do the thing you love, and you start spiraling into "Whatâs wrong with me?" thoughts.
Hereâs the emotional journey I went through, and maybe youâll recognize yourself in some of it:
1. Frustration: "Why canât I just write like I used to?"
I have deadlines,topics to develop, project to submit,I was not just having it.
Until my friend told me that I am dealing with something called a writer's block .
2. Self-Doubt: "Maybe Iâm not a real writer after all."
During my experience,I felt as though I am no longer good at writing.
Maybe I am not a writer at all. I was just an imposter. It wasn't a good experience.
3. Procrastination: "If I reorganize my desk, the words will come. Right?"
It was as though I was hiding from writing. So I began to push my workload and not write.
4. Acceptance (kind of): "Okay, this is happening. Now what?"
I was almost beginning to accept my fate. And I was thinking of trying to get something else to do.
Funny right,đ but that was what I experienced.
What I Tried (and What Actually Worked)
Over the years, Iâve tried every âcureâ for writerâs block under the sun. Some worked. Some didnât. Some made me laugh at how ridiculous they were.
Hereâs what helped me get through the worst of it:
1. Let Yourself Write Absolute Trash
This one was hard for me. As a perfectionist, I want every sentence to be brilliant on the first try. But when youâre blocked, that kind of pressure is paralyzing.
One day, I gave myself permission to write the worst, most cringe-worthy sentences imaginable. Iâm talking âIt was a dark and stormy nightâ-level clichĂŠs. And guess what? It worked. Once I let go of the need to be perfect, the words started flowing.
Here is the Lesson: Sometimes, the only way out is through. Write badly. Write messily. Just write.
2. Switch Mediums
When typing felt impossible, I turned to pen and paper. Thereâs something about the physical act of writing that feels less intimidating. Itâs like telling your brain, "Hey, this isnât serious. Weâre just playing around."
One time, I even bought a whiteboard and started brainstorming ideas with colorful markers. It looked like a five-year-old had taken over my office, but it made me smile, and it got me writing again.
Word on marble: If typing feels overwhelming, try doodling, mind-mapping, or even voice recording your thoughts.
3. Find Inspiration in the Everyday
During one particularly bad bout of writerâs block, I decided to stop forcing creativity and just⌠live. I went on long walks, people-watched at coffee shops, and even tried baking (terribly).
One day, while waiting in line at a bakery, I overheard a hilarious conversation between two strangers about the âperfectâ sourdough. That snippet sparked an entire short story.
Moral of the story: Step away from your screen and let real life inspire you.
4. Talk to Other Creators
Hereâs a secret: every writer, from bestselling authors to casual bloggers, has battled writerâs block. And when you talk to them, you realize youâre not alone.
I once reached out to a writer friend, practically crying, "I think Iâm broken. I canât write!" She laughed and said, "Oh, welcome to the club. We meet on Thursdays. Bring wine." That lighthearted conversation reminded me that this struggle is normal, not a sign of failure.
Pro Tip: Find a community of writers or creators who understand the struggle. Their support can be a lifeline.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Rest
This one was the hardest lesson for me. Iâm the type who thinks, "If I just push harder, Iâll break through." But sometimes, the best thing you can do is stop pushing.
I took a week off writing,no deadlines, no pressure, no guilt. I spent that time reading books I loved, watching cheesy movies, and sleeping in. By the end of the week, I felt like a whole new person.
Reminder: Rest isnât laziness. Itâs fuel for your creativity.
The Breakthrough Moment
One day, after weeks of frustration, I sat down with zero expectations. I told myself, "Just write one sentence. Thatâs all."
And I did. Then another. And another.
Before I knew it, I had written an entire page. Was it brilliant? Nope. But it was progress. And that tiny spark of momentum was all I needed to keep going.
The Real Lesson
Writerâs block isnât just about not having ideasâitâs about the fear of not being good enough. Itâs about putting so much pressure on yourself that creativity feels impossible.
But hereâs what Iâve learned: the words always come back. They might take their sweet time, but theyâll return. And when they do, youâll appreciate them even more.
So, Whatâs the Takeaway?
If youâre in the middle of writerâs block right now, hereâs what I want you to know:
Youâre not alone. Every writer struggles with this.
Youâre not âbrokenâ or âfailing.â Youâre just human.
The words will come back,maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but they will.
In the meantime, be kind to yourself. Laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. And remember: even the best writers have stared at that blinking cursor and thought, "What now?"
The answer? You keep going. One word at a time.