create account

On The Panic of Creative Block by jamtaylor

View this thread on: hive.blogpeakd.comecency.com
· @jamtaylor · (edited)
$39.55
On The Panic of Creative Block
https://s10.postimg.org/ftyfvwzqx/pexels_photo_52608_large.jpg



## I don’t want to write for money.

Lately I’ve felt in a panic, like I’m missing out on the opportunity to make side income through writing. I think to myself “If I write one or two decent articles per day, maybe I can put aside enough to take a trip with the family, or pay the car insurance!” That thought is constantly going through my mind, day and night. **The hustle**. I’ve never been a ‘hustler’, but since getting into crypto I have developed a hustle mindset, and I don’t really like it. Always watching the market, always looking to make the good trade, at the right price. 


## That has never been why I write.

I write because I enjoy it, I write because it’s who I am.

The moment I start writing for money is the moment I lose my inspiration. Let’s leave that for the **good** writers, it’s not for me. I feel stuck, without any inspiration. This leads me to the panic of what ifs.  What if I've somehow run out of interesting things to say? What if I can't get out of this funk? What if Steemit implodes and I didn't make the most of the opportunity while it was around!?

What do I write about, and for whom? For the people on Steemit with the powerful upvotes? No, that’s not it. I must write for myself, that has always worked best in the past.

My writing has been very successful here, by my standards, mostly because it’s the first place I’ve published. $100 on an article, to me, is fantastic. I’ve always been too frightened of rejection and bad critiques. The additional income from posting is a great opportunity that I’m thankful for.

Recently I wrote [On Inspiration](https://steemit.com/writing/@jamtaylor/on-inspiration-writing-from-life-experiences), and where to find it. Well lately, I’ve felt stumped. This is because I’m getting caught up on maximising rewards and not about being authentic and sharing from my experiences.

The best thing for me to do is disconnect, spend some time in nature and do some introspective meditation. Also, to just let life happen.

## Everything is temporary.

This moment is fleeting, the mood will pass, and inspiration will come.  Don’t be afraid of a little writer’s block, especially if it’s not your bread and butter — your main source of income! When creativity is forced, the result tends to be watered down. That’s been my experience, anyway.

This weekend I will take a break from the platform, go out into ‘the desert’ as it were, and sit quietly. Maybe the muse will speak, maybe she won’t.

We’ll see.

__________

### Have you ever felt a creative block?

What did you do to get over it?

________

[![Follow](https://i.imgsafe.org/4a417704bb.gif)](https://www.steemit.com/@jamtaylor)
👍  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 141 others
👎  
properties (23)
authorjamtaylor
permlinkon-the-panic-of-creative-block
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life","writing","motivation"],"image":["https://s10.postimg.org/ftyfvwzqx/pexels_photo_52608_large.jpg","https://i.imgsafe.org/4a417704bb.gif"],"links":["https://steemit.com/writing/@jamtaylor/on-inspiration-writing-from-life-experiences","https://www.steemit.com/@jamtaylor"]}
created2016-09-02 16:22:12
last_update2016-09-02 16:23:06
depth0
children16
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value35.661 HBD
curator_payout_value3.884 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length2,735
author_reputation139,761,486,953,577
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,100,283
net_rshares17,955,585,890,026
author_curate_reward""
vote details (206)
@anns ·
Yes
I have felt many creative blocks
So 
I exercise when I get like this
I drink more fluids and take 
vitamins
My brain fog gets a little better
Coffee and Tea help Me
properties (22)
authoranns
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t162723513z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 16:27:21
last_update2016-09-02 16:27:21
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length168
author_reputation1,459,974,862,812
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,100,339
net_rshares0
@birdie ·
When I was in college I experienced creative block all the time. I think it was mostly because I was restricted in what I could write about. When I experience it these days (which I still do, just not as often), I tend to associate it with feeling pressure from an audience. I have the same thoughts: What do people want to read? Who is going to like this? It's challenging to shake, I know. But to truly be free, I believe we need write for ourselves. That's where the passion shines through, and passion is attractive. If people read it, great. If they don't, you can still be proud of your work and not feel like you've wasted your time.
properties (22)
authorbirdie
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t183338368z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 18:33:39
last_update2016-09-02 18:33:39
depth1
children1
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length640
author_reputation10,443,291,998,095
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,101,759
net_rshares0
@jamtaylor ·
Thing is that I have complete freedom, so I could write about anything. My real concern is being authentic (while not being overly personal, giving people something they can relate to) and since I can do whatever I want, I just don't know what to write :)
👍  
properties (23)
authorjamtaylor
permlinkre-birdie-re-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t185810706z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 18:58:09
last_update2016-09-02 18:58:09
depth2
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length255
author_reputation139,761,486,953,577
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,102,058
net_rshares3,309,655,789
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@cryptoiskey ·
I have the complete opposite issue. I have so many ideas for different posts but haven't been able to execute any of them yet. I find I keep trying to complete one then a new idea comes and I start that. Time is my issue , coupled with the fact I have never blogged before so what might take someone 2-4 hours will take me 2-4 days,lol. I also seem to have some fear of my posts not succeeding, and maybe putting a little too much effort to achieve perfection. I don't mean fail in a monetary sense, I​ mean in general. Anyway, as long as I am learning every day and happy that what counts. 

I think a creative block is more about the little narrator in your head being too busy with noise from the universe and not enough mindfulness in the equation.
👍  
properties (23)
authorcryptoiskey
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t175947932z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 17:59:48
last_update2016-09-02 17:59:48
depth1
children2
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length752
author_reputation12,705,614,368,854
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,101,342
net_rshares9,246,273,080
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@stellabelle ·
Write one giant post called "Post For People With Short Attention Spans" and include all your ideas in one post. I'd read that based on the title alone.
👍  ,
properties (23)
authorstellabelle
permlinkre-cryptoiskey-re-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t184126154z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 18:41:24
last_update2016-09-02 18:41:24
depth2
children1
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length152
author_reputation516,061,669,130,124
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,101,861
net_rshares40,236,815,905
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@cryptoiskey ·
interesting idea:)
properties (22)
authorcryptoiskey
permlinkre-stellabelle-re-cryptoiskey-re-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160903t024353729z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-03 02:43:54
last_update2016-09-03 02:43:54
depth3
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length18
author_reputation12,705,614,368,854
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,106,546
net_rshares0
@cybercodetwins ·
Caught my attention when you show a Steemit sticker on the laptop and Github :)
properties (22)
authorcybercodetwins
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160903t033452180z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-03 03:34:57
last_update2016-09-03 03:34:57
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length79
author_reputation2,098,733,764,293
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,106,883
net_rshares0
@gargon ·
Creative block? Have sex!!
properties (22)
authorgargon
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t191440584z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 19:14:39
last_update2016-09-02 19:14:39
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length26
author_reputation169,359,743,811,801
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,102,250
net_rshares0
@krystle ·
$0.07
Wow @jamtaylor I absolutely get where you're coming from.

My first few weeks here I became so obsessed trying to post too many times a day, staying on here for crazy hours.

Now I am paying the price i am so sick and run down from the hours I have been putting in here that I really couldn't keep going I stopped posting for days at a time.

Since then (whilst I am still really sick) I have come back with a more focussed mindset, I have always been committed to writing my story and I never before expected to be paid for it - it was something I wanted to do for me.

Steemit made it possible I never would have put my work out there like this if it wasn't for this platform, I have cut back on quantity and I am now solely focussed on quality.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your weekend away to recharge your creative energies - sometimes we just need to experience something new to get reinspired!
👍  
properties (23)
authorkrystle
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t170620334z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"],"users":["jamtaylor"]}
created2016-09-02 17:06:21
last_update2016-09-02 17:06:21
depth1
children1
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.066 HBD
curator_payout_value0.005 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length904
author_reputation98,371,640,942,141
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,100,771
net_rshares174,309,429,149
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@stellabelle ·
"i am so sick and run down from the hours I have been putting in here that I really couldn't keep going I stopped posting for days at a time."  I know what you mean. I've only been able to tear myself away for one day at at time.
properties (22)
authorstellabelle
permlinkre-krystle-re-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t173857571z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 17:38:57
last_update2016-09-02 17:38:57
depth2
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length229
author_reputation516,061,669,130,124
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,101,123
net_rshares0
@luminousvisions ·
maybe this might help;
https://steemit.com/steemit/@luminousvisions/the-fellowship-of-the-dolphins
👍  
properties (23)
authorluminousvisions
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160907t070245535z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"],"links":["https://steemit.com/steemit/@luminousvisions/the-fellowship-of-the-dolphins"]}
created2016-09-07 07:02:45
last_update2016-09-07 07:02:45
depth1
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length98
author_reputation-8,545,544,437,418
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,156,049
net_rshares58,169,756
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@steemit-life ·
$0.07
A lot of times we get writers block because we stay inside a creative box. I've found that if you step outside your comfort zone, that will hopefully spark a new creative hunger. And for those people who are stuck on "What" to write about, view my post on writers block: https://steemit.com/writersblock/@steemit-life/stuck-on-what-to-write-about-let-me-help
👍  ,
properties (23)
authorsteemit-life
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t163935443z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"],"links":["https://steemit.com/writersblock/@steemit-life/stuck-on-what-to-write-about-let-me-help"]}
created2016-09-02 16:39:36
last_update2016-09-02 16:39:36
depth1
children1
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.074 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length358
author_reputation58,070,252,350,329
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,100,484
net_rshares177,404,862,330
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@anarcho-andrei ·
I agree 100%.  I've been working on a novel for months and I have made little forward progress after that first burst of creativity.  Since coming on here and getting into some of the short fiction competitions, I've cleared that right up.  It's amazing what some creative writing exercise will do for you.
👍  
properties (23)
authoranarcho-andrei
permlinkre-steemit-life-re-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t205804412z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 20:58:06
last_update2016-09-02 20:58:06
depth2
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length306
author_reputation27,098,621,645,365
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,103,423
net_rshares3,177,784,656
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@stellabelle · (edited)
$0.07
"I’ve felt stumped. This is because I’m getting caught up on maximising rewards and not about being authentic and sharing from my experiences." You are not alone. 
I write because I have the disease of writing, not because of the rewards attached to it. But I related to many of your points because I also feel this new kind of self-consciousness that I am not used to. Basically, I have been writing and creating images/art for many years and receiving limited economic rewards for it. And I certainly never ended up in a parody comic or a video because of my writing. The attention for writing and doing well on Steemit was not a motivating factor for writing on Steemit.  I write and create art because I am not really cut out for anything else. I get bored with most jobs if it includes any sort of routine. Additionally, I cherish my autonomy more than anything else (well, curiosity is right up there too). But I am beginning to feel that my authentic, honest voice, is not something that powerful people enjoy. This is the case inside of all power structures. I feel like a small person, always have.
Today I have been studying behavior modification theory and more specifically how monetary rewards do not actually bring about satisfaction and long-term instrinsic behaviors. Your post illustrates well why writers and artists are motivated from within and generally do not do well when the rewards are extrinsic in nature. 
I think I am motivated by the feeling that "I could lose it all." I exist on the fringes of the world, and I enjoy the beginnings of anything.

It's odd, because a lot of people, if they were in my shoes might do everything in their power to protect their investment. But you see, I never intended to become invested here. It happened as a by-product of me being an insanely driven writer. I am not different from the first day, except now i have a big investment, that was created by others rewarding me. I now experience conflict when I decide to post because of this thought process: What will the whales think of my post if I decide to tell the truth about things as I truly see them?
I never had that conflict in the beginning, and I see that I must just continue to write in the way i have always done: with total abandon. Doing otherwise will result in sub-par results that will not do anyone any good. Write for thyself! You are correct.
👍  ,
properties (23)
authorstellabelle
permlinkre-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t173722795z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 17:37:21
last_update2016-09-02 17:42:27
depth1
children2
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.068 HBD
curator_payout_value0.003 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length2,378
author_reputation516,061,669,130,124
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,101,105
net_rshares174,132,167,858
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@jamtaylor ·
$1.57
I wish I could upvote this twice.
👍  , , , , , , , , ,
properties (23)
authorjamtaylor
permlinkre-stellabelle-re-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t180334521z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 18:03:33
last_update2016-09-02 18:03:33
depth2
children1
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value1.178 HBD
curator_payout_value0.389 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length33
author_reputation139,761,486,953,577
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,101,384
net_rshares2,423,530,131,416
author_curate_reward""
vote details (10)
@stellabelle · (edited)
if many people are writing the same thing, from within the same system, and these people are on different spectrums, then the truth is somewhere among them. Systemic pressures create the same experience for a wide number of different people.
properties (22)
authorstellabelle
permlinkre-jamtaylor-re-stellabelle-re-jamtaylor-on-the-panic-of-creative-block-20160902t184003160z
categorylife
json_metadata{"tags":["life"]}
created2016-09-02 18:40:03
last_update2016-09-02 18:40:33
depth3
children0
last_payout2016-10-03 18:44:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length241
author_reputation516,061,669,130,124
root_title"On The Panic of Creative Block"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id1,101,841
net_rshares0