Blogging

Blog Tips: 7 Things to do When You Feel Stuck

Things to do When You Feel Stuck

Every couple of months or so, I get hit with this huge creative block. It’s like clockwork; always guaranteed to come. 

95% of the time, writing and photography come easy to me. The other 5% of the time I can spend hours working on a blog post and not get anywhere. My photos look like crap, even though I know very well how to use my camera in pretty much all  circumstances (dark, bright, sunny, gloomy conditions) everything is just off.  I can know exactly what I want to write about, but once sit down with my laptop, the words just don’t seem to come as easily as they usually do.

Feeling stuck sucks.

It’s even worse when you feel like you DO want to get something done and can’t stand being still or unproductive, but you don’t seem to get anywhere. I know that I’m not the only one who experiences this once in a while. I think it’s just a part of having a creative outlet. You count on that creativity and inspiration to always be there, but the truth is, you can’t.

So how do you get past feeling stuck?

TAKE A BREAK

This is the first thing I do when I start feeling that creative block coming. Sometimes this is all you need. Step away from what you’re doing; whether it’d be writing, cooking (if you’re a food blogger), taking photos, etc. Put some distance between yourself and the thing/s that you’re working on and do something else, something that has nothing to do with blogging.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Don’t be afraid to write about something different from what you usually do. What are some of your other interests? I know that I’ve already said this about 103456 times, but I originally started as a beauty blogger. I really wanted to start writing about things like blogging, or wellness, share some of my personal struggles (like anxiety) and how I overcame them. BUT, I was SO afraid. I’d think to myself “what makes me an expert?”. Well, when I started writing about those things, in addition to beauty, my blog took off and my little blog family expanded substantially.

There were also some things that I tried to write about, but failed miserably; like writing about fitness. I love working out and staying healthy, but writing about it just wasn’t my thing and it didn’t feel right. See, until you try something new, something different, you won’t know whether or not it’d work for you. So, you either succeed at something, or you’ll fail but you’ll learn a lesson.

WORK ON YOUR DESIGN (OR SOMETHING ELSE)

When you don’t feel like writing, work on a different aspect of your blog. Update your social media profiles, make sure all of your links work (especially in Disqus- I come across broken blog links in my comments all the time, therefore, I can’t visit your blog!). Improve your blog design, update your “about” page. Go through some of your old posts and make sure to deep link to your other/newer content. There is still plenty to do around your blog, even when you can’t get yourself to write.

RE-PURPOSE + MAXIMIZE YOUR OLD CONTENT

I already talked about maximizing your content in this post. Chances are, your audience is larger than it was a year or two ago. Go through some of your old articles and see if there’s anything that you loved working on, but didn’t get the attention it deserved. Edit it, update it, add some links and re-publish it. I’ve done this a few times and some of my re-published posts were included in Bloglovin’ newsletters which brought a ton of traffic and new readers to my blog. If I haven’t tried re-publishing that older content (that a lot of people seemed to like and appreciate) it’d stay buried in my archives.

Another way to maximize your content, is going through your old posts and updating them by changing featured images, adding a Pinterest-friendly image and re-sharing it on social media. This is a great way to make your content work for you and you can bring traffic to your blog, without having to write anything new.

Related reading:

7 Ways to Increase Your Blog Traffic
How to Optimize Your Images + Improve SEO
How to Grow Your Pinterest Following FAST
Blog Tips: How to Maximize Your Content

READ

This is a great way to find some inspiration. Read a book, a new blog, a magazine; read everything that you can get your hands on. Reading will not only help you find inspiration or create ideas, but it’ll also make you a better writer. You cannot expect to be a good writer and write great posts, if you don’t read.

CHANGE YOUR ENVIRONMENT

If you always do your blog work in the same spot, try to switch things up. You can try going to a different room, or you can go to a cafe, or a park if it’s warm enough. During spring, I love grabbing my laptop, sitting in my yard and writing. I think that some of my best posts were written from my favorite spot in my yard. It’s a completely different experience than writing when sitting at my desk. I can smell the fresh air, feel the sun on my skin, hear the birds chirping. It’s really great to switch it up once in a while.

SPEND SOME TIME OUTDOORS

…minus the laptop. Nowadays, there’s a pill for everything. Feeling tired, feeling slightly nervous, upset, sleepless. It’s just like the diet thing that I mentioned in this post; we all know that all you need to lose weight is a mix of healthy diet and exercise, but we pop diet pills like candy, because it’s easier. Well here’s something that can make you feel better when you feel stuck and/or overwhelmed: breathing. Go outside, close your eyes and take a deep breath through your nose, while counting to four, then exhale through your mouth, while counting to four.

Fresh air and spending time in nature can work like a mini getaway. We’re constantly connected. Constantly surrounded by noise; from our phones going off, TVs, computers, laptops, radio. But when you go for a walk in a forest, or go for a run in the park and take in all of your surroundings, hear the wind, feel the sun and the air- you become more still. As you tune out all that noise that accompanies you pretty much 24/7, you get clarity. That, can be all you need to get past feeling stuck.

If you want to know how to start your own lifestyle blog for just $3, make sure to check out my step-by-step guide right here

89 Comments

  • Reply
    Victoria Goodman
    January 7, 2017 at 10:01 am

    Brilliant post! Great tips because I always get stuck! X

    Victoria | VictoriaaHelenn

  • Reply
    Roxanne
    January 7, 2017 at 10:20 am

    Lovely post and really helpful :)

  • Reply
    Kristina Wilde
    January 7, 2017 at 11:47 am

    Always love reading babe! Keep it up! <333
    http://www.kristinawilde.com

  • Reply
    Katie @ Over The Moony
    January 7, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    Feeling stuck with blogging is the worst!! Especially the photography. That frustrates me the most. But I love all of these tips. I love to work on my redesign when I’m stuck. I play around with it all the time.

    Katie | http://www.overthemoony.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 15, 2017 at 5:53 pm

      That’s something that frustrates me the most too! especially when I have perfect conditions for photography but everything just seems off!

  • Reply
    Blossomofhope
    January 7, 2017 at 12:51 pm

    I felt stuck in December but I redesigned my blog and now I am unstuck! I will definitely try and remember these for next time xx
    http://blossomofhope.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Rachel
    January 7, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    These are such great tips! I find myself getting stuck every couple of months, I’ll definitely have to remember these!

    Rachel | racheleileen.com

  • Reply
    Tori
    January 7, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    These are brilliant tips. I’m definitely going to be editing and re-jigging old posts this year

    T x

  • Reply
    LuxeStyle
    January 7, 2017 at 3:10 pm

    I love reading and browsing Pinterest, which always gives me loads more ideas :) x

  • Reply
    Cat ❤
    January 7, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Great tips! I know very well the feeling of being stuck. You want to get stuff done but nothing comes out. I really enjoyed this post. (your comment about how a lot of links on Disqus doesn’t work has gotten me paranoid…so I am going to go check them)

    Cat // https://fromgirlc.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Honestly Aine
    January 7, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    Really good ideas. I’m actually away for the weekend and just enjoying catching up with blogs with my feet up. It’s nice to have a break to refresh things :)

    Honestly Aine

  • Reply
    Abigail Alice
    January 7, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    thanks for these tips. writing about something completely different always leaves me feeling much better about my blog!

    Abigail Alice x

  • Reply
    HALE
    January 7, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    This is so helpful, thank you! I’ve been suffering from a really bad creative and bloggers block!
    Aleeha xXx

  • Reply
    HALE
    January 7, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    This is so helpful, thank you! I’ve been suffering from a really bad creative and bloggers block!
    Aleeha xXx
    http://www.halesaaw.com/

  • Reply
    The Gossip Darling
    January 7, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    Taking a break is really helpful! I don’t feel guilty!

    Mel | http://www.thegossipdarling.com

  • Reply
    Emmalisa Tilli
    January 7, 2017 at 11:16 pm

    Hi Paula! How do you create the “share this” with social media icons!!???? I never thought of doing that till now! Do you need a computer to do it?

    Great post by the way – something I definitely wanted to read straight away as soon as I saw the title! Even when I’m not necessarily “feeling” stuck, it’s still good to get some extra pointers however!

    I want to focus so much on things, like study, (library studies), getting to London, travelling more, writing more, gosh! You’re one of my inspirations for writing!!!!

    Sometimes I don’t feel intellectual – like I compare myself to people who complete university whereas I only really did TAFE, which is no PHD or anything. But because I now have found a passion in wanting to do a Bachelor of Arts in Ancient History or Museum Studies or English Language – the inspiration generally comes from there!!!!

    Thanks for such an excellent post!!!!

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 15, 2017 at 6:01 pm

      Do you mean the ones on the bottom of the post? They’re a tool from WordPress Jetpack plugin. Are you on wordpress.org? It’s the only way you’d be able to get those particular ones.

      Aww thank you so much Love, so happy you liked this post. There is no need to compare yourself, we all have so many unique and amazing things to offer to this world. :)

      • Reply
        Emmalisa Tilli
        January 15, 2017 at 8:08 pm

        Funnily enough I figured it out! I’m with WordPress.com and was still able to do it. Thanks for your reply! At the moment I am addicted to this show, Made in Chelsea…. only up to season two, and realised Rosie and Millie both have their own blogs. But I really like Caggie….. I’m obsessed ATM!!!!! Hehe

        • Reply
          Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
          January 15, 2017 at 8:59 pm

          Oh that’s right! Glad you were able to figure it out! Haven’t seen that one, will need to check it out! :)

  • Reply
    Dea Andriany
    January 8, 2017 at 1:32 am

    Thanks for another amazing tips, Laura! Reorganizing social media design surprisingly works for me, even if it’s as simple as changing my twitter profile description of facebook image. Aww, need to re-read your content maximizing entry again, I remember it’s so brilliant.

    Selene Addicted

  • Reply
    Ambar Syed
    January 8, 2017 at 3:14 am

    Some really wonderful tips Paula! I think I might spend the next couple of weeks going back through some of my old content and updating it – that’s a really good idea you’ve shared :)
    – Ambar x
    http://www.herlittleloves.co.uk

  • Reply
    Kiss & Make-up
    January 8, 2017 at 5:42 am

    Just taking a step back and taking some time off can be so good.

  • Reply
    Kathy
    January 8, 2017 at 6:49 am

    Designing and looking at inspo gets me so motivated, definitely helps!
    Kathy x
    Alongcamekathy

  • Reply
    Chloe Denton
    January 8, 2017 at 7:16 am

    I really liked these tips, I have been super unmotivated recently and have taken the new year to spruce up my vanity and turn it in to a vanity and office-like desk combined, having a designated blogging space in my house has really helped me find my motivation again! -xo

    chloedanielle.co.uk

  • Reply
    Jennifer Frank
    January 8, 2017 at 8:47 am

    great tips lovely, i’ve never thought about re-publishing some of my old posts!
    jen | velvet spring

  • Reply
    Ela
    January 8, 2017 at 8:54 am

    Republishing sounds like a great idea! I definitely need to do that soon, as I’m feeling a lull in blogging.
    Ela | http://www.stealingyoursunbeams.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Lisa Autumn
    January 8, 2017 at 9:52 am

    Changing your environmentis my fave thing to do when I feel stuck! I love the way you write and your photography style.. well done babe!

    xx Lisa
    lisaautumn.com

  • Reply
    Lauren Victoria
    January 8, 2017 at 10:36 am

    This is such a useful post as always! I hate feeling stuck in general, but especially when it comes to my blog as it’s such a big passion of mine. Working on something else is such a good way to still be productive. I also love getting outside and clearing my head. It always leaves me feeling inspired x

    Lauren | itslaurenvictoria.blogspot.co.uk

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 15, 2017 at 6:07 pm

      It’s definitely not a very pleasant feeling, I agree. Spending some time outdoors can absolutely help. x

  • Reply
    missgetaway
    January 8, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Seriously, how do you always manage to write exactly about the topics that go through my head right now. Your blog turned into one of my all-time favourites in 2017 and I don’t see it ever stopping to be on top. You slay girl!

    Love, Kerstin
    http://www.missgetaway.com/

  • Reply
    Ela BellaWorld
    January 8, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    When I hit to that point, it gets so hard to come up with something. Taking time off and focusing on others things works for me. Maximising the old content sounds interesting. I haven’t tried it done it before, but I will keep that in mind when I have one of these moments, at least it would give me some motivation :) Great post, Paula!

    Ela BellaWorld

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 15, 2017 at 6:19 pm

      Ahh I hate that feeling when you really want to write, but feel so stuck you can’t even start. Thanks so much Ela, glad you liked this post!

  • Reply
    Natalie Harney
    January 8, 2017 at 1:07 pm

    Taking a break or doing a different kind of work normally works for me. I’d also add in having a shower, showers are magical

    – Natalie
    http://www.workovereasy.com

  • Reply
    Jaynie Shannon
    January 8, 2017 at 1:47 pm

    I definitely find reading and looking on Pinterest helps me get creative again really easily!

    Jaynie Shannon | Beauty & Lifestyle

    xx

  • Reply
    Emma Engmark
    January 8, 2017 at 3:19 pm

    This is really great tips, and they really did come in handy right now. I’m a bit stuck.. And I’m trying to find my way back to blogging. I will try some of these tips!

    http://styleonheels.com/

  • Reply
    Heidi B
    January 8, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    Really good post, totally agree to take time out. I hate block periods, but I feel it’s a sign to kinda ‘re-group’ & ‘refresh’. Love your block & IG as always
    Happy 2017!
    H x

  • Reply
    Leanne Webber
    January 8, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    I definitely agree with your ‘read’ point. I lost my blogging mojo after focusing all my attention on my studies but I found after reigniting my obsession with Grazia, I wanted to get back into blogging straight away.
    Great post – perfect for the New Year.

    Leanne xx
    nailsandteapots

  • Reply
    Kims Crochets
    January 8, 2017 at 4:47 pm

    Thanks for the share, I’m actually going through a creative’s block right now so I started updating some older posts with new photography, re-wording and ensuring the content is updated and re-posting it. Also, I started just reading my older posts for ideas too.

  • Reply
    Casey
    January 8, 2017 at 11:05 pm

    Love the idea of going back and reviewing your old blog posts to make something new. Great repurposing!

  • Reply
    Ana Vicioso
    January 9, 2017 at 1:35 am

    Taking time off works for me and also using old content! Why not? Hours and hard work spent on those photos!

  • Reply
    The Sunday Mode
    January 9, 2017 at 3:42 am

    I’ve just updated my blog design so I really have my work cut out for me in terms of going back and adjusting all my older posts and reformatting them…

    Julia // The Sunday Mode

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      January 15, 2017 at 6:12 pm

      Ahh I did the same thing and I’m currently working on resizing everything. It’ll definitely take a while. :)

  • Reply
    Sophie
    January 9, 2017 at 6:10 am

    Some really fantastic tips! I’ll be keeping these in mind next time i’m at a block. Sophie x

    sophiehmstewart.com

  • Reply
    Sophie Cliff
    January 9, 2017 at 6:48 am

    I definitely want to work harder at repurposing some of my older content this year! x

    Sophie Cliff

  • Reply
    Christine C.
    January 9, 2017 at 3:30 pm

    Great post! Sometimes you just need a break and I have a hard time with that, but after I’ve stepped away (even for a couple days or more) I realize how important it is and how useful it was for my work!

  • Reply
    Sheila
    January 10, 2017 at 7:23 am

    I took a mini blog break at the beginning of year to catch myself up on things outside the blogosphere, and it definitely helped me to get motivated and inspired!

    http://www.insearchofsheila.com

  • Reply
    Lottie Gibbons
    January 10, 2017 at 8:03 am

    I took a break over the Christmas period and now I feel so much better, I do still struggle for content ideas but I at least have the motivation to start! x
    http://www.flareaforte.com

  • Reply
    Hannie Arden Blaise
    January 10, 2017 at 4:48 pm

    I took a break actually because I’ve been moving platforms and to catch up with my own health and friends and family. This is a great and helpful post to come back to :-)

    Hugs,
    Hannie from Missing Wanderer

  • Reply
    Leslie Nichole
    January 10, 2017 at 10:45 pm

    I do most of these things when i feel stuck too. It has been a very busy couple of months but i plan to refocus on my blog and try to get my new business up and running. My favorite thing to do is take a walk or just be outside, even when its snowing.

  • Reply
    Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
    January 15, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Thank you so much Helene!

  • Reply
    Ana Chiquita
    January 26, 2017 at 11:26 pm

    I love your blog! You are inspiring me to take blogging more serious!

    xo, lepetitegaby.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Charlotte
    November 6, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    I’ve literally just come back from having a short break, it’s almost as if you need time to get inspired again and actually live your life a bit so that you have something to chat about when you get back again!

    Charlotte | Two Cats One Flat

Leave a Reply