Lately, I’ve been breathless.
I spend my time somewhere
between suffocation and
“This should suffice…”
My lungs are not quite full,
Yet not quite hollow, still
Contracting, still expanding,
Still trying, desperately,
to filter through the haze of
smoke and mirrors surrounding
my heart. Save me
from this spool of yarn,
knotted, twisted, unnatural,
before they stand in line
to tighten the noose
that I’ve placed upon my neck.
I simply forgot that jewelry
is seldom made of rope.
Writing Anxiety
“I’ve got really bad anxiety when it comes to my writing, like so bad that I can’t even start an Idea I really want to. I have so many ideas that I’d love to write but sometimes it’ll get so bad I can’t breathe. Anything to help?” - Anonymous
Having anxiety myself, I can understand what you’re going through. The great thing about writing, though, is that it frees your mind. Writing allows you to discover a whole new world, full of different possibilities to explore. When you’re writing and you’re really into your story, you get in a really interesting state where you’re able to forget everything else. What I’m trying to say is that once you get past the first few sentences, you’ll be so absorbed in what you’re writing that anxiety will normally go away by itself.
Being anxious about your writing is completely normal. What is making you anxious? Why aren’t you able to write? Often, people are afraid of what readers are going to think about their story. If you write only for yourself, if you write what you’d like to read, your anxiety will most likely go away. As soon as you get the first few sentences down and start to let your fingers write the story for you, it’ll be much easier to go on.
However, I understand that all of this is easier said than done. That being said, I think you should try some writing prompts that can unblock your mind. Since it is someone else’s idea, you will probably feel more relaxed when writing. When you’re feeling better, you can proceed to write your own idea. Just let the words flow, don’t really worry about what anyone’s going to think. Like I said before, write for yourself, for your own enjoyment. And if you can’t do it, really, step out for a while. Do not force it. Writing should be enjoyable, not a source of stress and anxiety.
Below, you’ll find some links on how to fight writing anxiety and make sure to check Write World’s writing prompts too.
calm
out of all the easier-said-than-dones
this is the most.
breathe like a brand new water pump
in a aquarium full of fish
who are happy that you exist.
close your eyes.
repeat after me:
“my body is a thing
that is doing good things”.
believe it, even when the edges edge out
your softness
and your body is a sentence
not eloquently stated
but getting its job done.
