Thursday Press #2: peanut, peanut butter... and writer's block?
[5 AUGUST 2021] What to do when the words won't come
WHAT PEANUT BUTTER HAS TO DO WITH WRITER'S BLOCK..
I once spent over 2 hours writing one Instagram caption. And then never posted it. Because it just wasn't good.
As someone who wrote a bunch of papers in college (like, at least one every two weeks my senior year), I'm no stranger to writer's block. But whereas then I would push through and write whatever academic-sounding BS I needed to before that 11:59 p.m. deadline, I've got a different approach now.
I'm betting you've run into some writer's block, creative burnout, or something similar before. The marketing game can do that to ya… always coming up with the next IG post, email, blog, you name it.
So I wanted to share my absolute best advice for whenever the words stop flowing and you just can't seem to make it happen:
Stop.
Put down the pen, close the browser, walk away from the computer.
Your best work isn't going to happen when you're desperately scraping it out of your brain like those last few remnants of peanut butter in the jar.
I know from experience. I've forced myself to keep creating just to get something out there and I've never been particularly proud of the outcome.
Heck, just last week I was sitting down to try and write this very email. Spoiler alert: it just. wasn't. happening.
I'll be the first to admit I'm a raging perfectionist and I'm very hesitant to let anything go out into the world that I don't feel 100% confident about. Even though perfection is an impossible illusion that I'm learning to let go of, I'm still not going to feel good about the cobbled-together metaphors, half-assed Pinterest tips, and frankly not strategic content that tries to leave my head while I'm creatively blocked.
So if you have the freedom to be able to walk away and miss whatever self-imposed deadline you're feeling the weight of, take that opportunity. Do something that fills you up creatively instead. Try something like one of these tried-and-true tactics:
Go for a walk, with or without your fave podcast
Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee and brainstorm while it brews
Take a shower (aka where this email popped into my head)
Browse inspiration from your favorite creators
And if you want to know my trick for getting all of that JIF out of the jar, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds and add it to your oatmeal or drizzle over some fruit. You're welcome. 😉
Anyway, while I contemplate how to actually follow this advice I'm giving you (and myself), let me share some recent IG faves that you might have missed for those of you who are more interested in quick hacks for your Pinterest marketing than the rainy day ramblings of a solopreneur.
From the ‘Gram
Hi, I’m Sarah — Pinterest marketer, former local journalist, and professional oversharer. Thanks for reading this edition of the Thursday Press! If you’re a fan of stories that turn into strategic Pinterest marketing tips, way-too-honest insights into online entrepreneurship, and the occasional cat picture, you’re in the right place.
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