Some people fear spiders. Some have a fear of heights. Bridges, closed spaces, the number 13.
My biggest fear? A blank page.
When I was little I had a recurring dream that filled me with a massive sense of overwhelm. All I can remember was that I had to color a massive picture that was so big I could never have completed it. It was huge, and empty, and I was starting in the corner. I’m pretty sure the picture involved a clown, too. I was filled with dread about the fact that the task was entirely too much. I can still remember the feeling of sheer panic it gave me. (If you are reading this and you have any dream analysis skills, I would love to know what this says about me as a kid.)
I think of that dream sometimes when I have a big task to do and I am staring at a blank page.
When I had the idea to write my book.
When I thought about launching my business.
Or even in simpler times, like yesterday when every task on my list was something to “start.”
Starting at zero can be SO overwhelming. It’s why I sometimes lazily say that I would rather edit someone else’s work than do my own. But that’s an oversimplified way of looking at it. I really just need to get over the blank page hump as quickly as is humanly possible.
I recently read Atomic Habits by James Clear. (I KNOW, I know! I am so late to this party.) His principles for making change really resonated with me, though. (Make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, make it satisfying,) I have learned that I have to be prepared for when “blank page paralysis” hits, and making it obvious and easy are the principles that apply here. I need to have a list of options at the ready to
Just. Get. Started.
Here are some ways I shake myself loose:.
- Brain dump: Pick up my laptop and open a literal blank page and just start typing everything I am thinking without judgement or planning. It will eventually take shape and make sense.
- White board brain dump: Same idea, but put the writing on the wall! Right now I work with chart paper because I don’t have a white board in my home office. This work always ends up in my computer in some way, but there’s something about the tactical feel of writing on the wall that can unlock my stuck mind
- Templates (or a version of something different): When I am creating something new, I often start with something old. And a lot of times it turns out 100% different, but that starting place helps get my brain moving.
- Walk and talk: Take a walk around the block and talk it out with a thought partner. Sometimes even just saying “I’m stuck” out loud starts to shake things loose.
Are you afraid of a blank page, too? What strategies do you use to tackle this fear?
0 Comments