Distraction: My solution to creative blocks
Most of us have faced creative blocks at some point in our lives. Sometimes we just sit there staring at our screen or book, no knowing what to write next. It's as if your brain has shut down and nothing is coming forth. It's like a machine whose chip has been fried.
Sometimes, we try harder when such a moment comes, but nothing comes up still. We end up spending hours doing nothing, while trying to do something. These creator blocks could come when you've been repeatedly doing something for a long time, or when you're stressed. It could just be random.
This is why it is important for one to know when that creative block hits and what to do about it.
I have faced creative blocks countless time and I have process that works for me in order to overcome it.
Distraction does the magic for me. I immediately take a break. During that break, I play some games. I play games just to take my mind off what I was doing. Apart from games, I watch movies as well. The good thing about the games and movies is that it refreshes my mind. Gives me that feel good feeling. Sometimes they could even give me a new perspective on how to go about the thing that warranted the creative block in the first place.
If the block is still there, I eat something. I love food, so in such a situations, I eat my favourite food. The aim is distraction. Whatever distracts me from that thing at the moment. It's not just distraction, it's distraction mixed with fun. I have to enjoy what I'm distracting myself with. I need to have fun. It's a good way to reset.
Just like most devices, when they begin to malfunction, we reset them and they begin to function properly again. The same thing happens to our minds, especially in a creative block situation. You just need a reset and you're good to go. For me, fun distractions do that.
Apart from games, movies, food, another distraction that works for me is watching sports, especially football games. This one really works. For the duration of that game, most times I completely forget about the task I needed distraction from. I get immersed in the football match. That fresh excitement, the surge of happiness, it certainly gives me the reset I need.
In conclusion, if you've faced creative blocks and you haven't found an effective way to combat it, just try out fun distractions and you'll be glad you did. The distractions don't have to be long. A short distraction can do wonders for our creative mind.