Have you ever felt stuck, silenced? At a loss for words?
Or maybe you’re like me these days and when you actually do have the time to write--you’re not ready yet. You know, when it feels like you can’t quite transition from the tsunami of information and decisions that is our everyday existence these days. When you can’t create…yet.
It feels scary. But the solution is actually pretty simple. Ask yourself:
What if the time you spend away from your desk was as important to your writing, your creativity, and your language learning?
What if you just needed to take a walk to find your creativity and focus again?
This post is part of a series: What keeps you writing?
I’m asking writers in our creative writing community to share what keeps you writing.
And maybe I’m asking all of us to ask ourselves that question too.
I hope we’ll all start a conversation around the words of wisdom of people who I think know how to step out of time for a little bit and grab the essence of life as they write.
Want to find your creativity and focus again? Take a walk with Joanna Radomska.
Today, we’ll continue our discussion with fellow Vagabond, polyglot, writer, and teacher, Joanna Radomska. We’ll learn about her creative process and we’ll talk about what keeps her writing, creating and, learning languages. You can follow Joanna at Walking Languages on Instagram.
I joined Joanna for My Autumn Walks, a language course for wandering polyglots in the fall of 2021. That course got me writing, thinking about my language learning…and it got me writing in Spanish again…and yes, I could do it in the time that I have--which is not much these days.
There is a new Walking Languages course coming out soon, plus plenty of walking inspiration to keep you creative and making new starts waiting for you, so you might want to keep an eye on Joanna’s creative process.
I’m a firm believer that sometimes it is the tiny little first gestures--sometimes counterintuitive ones that can take you in new creative directions. Like leaving your desk behind. What about you?
Let’s hear what Joanna has to say about in our interview…
What challenges have you met with this year in terms of your time to write or for creative expression?
When I take a too long break I find it difficult to come back to my writing. Lately when I've been creating a lot of business material, I didn't have time or energy for the creative writing. Besides I sometimes feel I should find a balance between what I want to show to the world and what I'd like to keep for myself.
What habits, techniques, sources of inspiration...have you found that help you keep writing in challenging times? When you don't have energy, or time, or bandwidth?
Definitely walking - When I feel stuck getting outdoors always helps. And then the inspiration from the outdoors - nature, situations, other people comes subconsciously. And our community chats surely inspire me.
What keeps you motivated to keep writing or expressing yourself?
I see how it helps me in my business and, above all, my personal development. I feel I get to know myself better and I've started to understand myself, my life experiences and other people much better. It's like getting braver to express myself and to reflect on many aspects of my life. Besides, I really enjoy it - I can surely say, writing has become my hobby.
Do you have any advice, wishes, or anything you've learned that you'd like to share with other writers and creatives?
I'd say they should get into the habit of writing (although we do need a break at times).
I mean do it quite regularly and create favourable circumstances to do it. For instance, I usually write for business in the early morning in complete silence but I follow creative writing in the evening, sometimes with a bit of background noise. I've managed to create a few poems in such circumstances - my mind switching from focus on the writing to the background noise/activities.
I think it's also a matter of getting to know your preferences and brain. I'm also quite careful not to overwhelm myself with writing - when I feel I've already reflected/expressed myself enough and I don't feel like continuing, I'll switch to the other activity.
For more inspiration…
If you think you need to step away from your desk to rekindle your creativity, be sure to read my other blog post: Writing not just you at your desk.
What tiny creative act can you take today? A walk, some quiet time?
Tell me about it in the comments.
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