In the last few days, on my main Instagram account (@ariel_zorion for my publications in Spanish and @arielzorionbooks for those in English), I’ve been asking both through Stories and in some posts what the majority of people thought about the different types of blockages. A very high percentage of people believe that they are real, both those suffered by writers, as well as something I was unaware of until recently, which is what is known as reader’s block.

Among the causes that some pointed out in the comments were physical or emotional fatigue, work overload, stress and even the desire to cover too much and try to meet goals in the Joint Readings and collaborations, for example. We also talked about our level of self-demand and insecurities, which sometimes prevent us from moving forward and make us doubt whether what we are writing (in this case) is of sufficient quality

On the other hand, there were other reasons for this, such as some kind of illness, whether physical or mental, or worries that prevent us from concentrating. And finally, there was a very striking comment that made reference to when we like a book so much that we need a time of disconnection to be able to face a new reading in a balanced way and without comparing it with the previous one.

Through some short videos, the famous Instagram reels, I have shared some tips that I have compiled here along with some more that I have extracted from the comments left on the post and others of my own. Read them carefully and do not hesitate to tell me if you miss any of them, as this helps us all to prevent them before they occur and to use some strategies that are effective to combat them.

• Disconnect. If you insist on continuing reading or sitting in front of the computer when you are blocked, the most normal thing is that the blockage becomes bigger and you end up getting overwhelmed.
• Get out of the house. The open air always clears our mind.
• Ventilate the room. It may have accumulated more carbon dioxide than you think and that prevents you from thinking clearly. Since I’ve had a CO2 meter at home, I’ve discovered how quickly its levels rise when everything is closed up.
• Take a walk. Classic authors (I think one was Charles Dickens and another Agatha Christie) said that when they were blocked, what they did was to go for a walk.
• Practice sports, preferably one that you like, although, in any case, any kind of sport helps.
• Listen to music. Music connects directly with our emotions. Isn’t it a simple and wonderful way to break a blockage?
• Dancing. Related to music and sport. Dancing is fun, makes us feel good, connects us even with our most playful part. Dance until the sun comes up.
• Meet up with friends. Being with colleagues is always an ideal solution for many things. However, if you insist on talking over and over again that you’re blocked, you’re not going to get out of there. Take advantage of the good company to talk about other things.
• Talk about other topics, either with friends, on a social network, calling someone on the phone…. The important thing is not to ruminate thoughts about feeling blocked.
• Read trivial things. When you’re reading and you feel like you’re missing the point, you can try reading superficial things that don’t require too much concentration. Some readers have told me it works for them.
• Meditate. You may think that I use meditation as a recurring method for everything, but it is true that it is very useful. Sometimes it is enough to stop for a minute and concentrate only on your breathing to bring everything back to its place. It is a relatively simple resource and, as they say, it does not ask for food (that is to say, it is free, hehe). Why not use it? And if you want to deepen your meditations, go ahead. I’m sure you’ll get benefits.
• Hydrate yourself. The best thing, of course, is to drink water. When the brain is not sufficiently hydrated, thinking can be fuzzy. Sometimes, drinking a caffeinated beverage also helps to clear your head (depending on the time of day and the ones you have already had), as well as taking some sugar (if possible, the one naturally present in foods such as fruit).
• Give it its due importance. We are humans, not machines. Some days we feel better and others we can’t cope with life. Well, that’s okay because, in the end, the sun comes out every day and, as a phrase goes, if it doesn’t come out, we draw.
• If you like to paint, draw, make sculptures or any kind of handicraft, this could be the perfect time. And if you can’t think of anything, what’s wrong with copying a model until inspiration strikes? Just open Pinterest to find millions of suggestions.

Luckily, I don’t think I’ve felt any of these types of blockages to date. I only remember experiencing something similar once when I was studying in high school before a final exam, but of course I had rushed too much and saw that I didn’t have time.

As a writer, I have never gone through a creative block (to date). One day I may have no ideas for a specific book, but then I write an article for the web, or a short story for a contest, or I write another of the several books I always have in mind to write. That is to say, I open myself to so many options that, if one day I get blocked, I’m afraid it will be total blockage.

I hope that day never comes.

Do not hesitate to leave your opinion in comments.

THANKS FOR READING

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