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Negative energy can be experienced as residual effects from an upsetting event, or it can be experienced as a vague feeling. When an upsetting event occurs, such as an argument with a friend, a writer knows that energy will instinctively need to be siphoned to address the trauma. When a writer is experiencing a more vague negativity – experiencing a mid-life crisis, for example – energy flow may be more difficult to resolve. What can a writer do in order to overcome his black cloud and successfully complete a project?
It is important to remember that life is a continual balancing act. We all have 24 hours in a day, yet some people are able to accomplish astounding things with their allotted time on earth. It is amazing to think that Albert Einstein had the 24 hours that you and I have each day. Below is a list of some key tips designed to help zap negativity:
1. We instinctively know that we need to eat right and get enough sleep. If your food quality is poor and you’re not sleeping well, then make it a priority to focus on these basic needs. Remember Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? He suggested that we breathe. Good advice. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF so that you can better serve others in your life.
2. The best tip of all may seem counter-intuitive: write. If you only write a paragraph or a short poem, you can feel better that you made some small progress.
3. If you can find a moment to write, incorporate your negative situation into your writing. Maybe it really WAS a dark and stormy night when Edward Bulwer-Lytton sat down and penned these infamous words.
4. Venting to family, friends, and coworkers is a common coping mechanism. However, be aware that when you spew venom, your poison has an effect on the listener. Venting and spewing anger are two separate things: venting opens the door for some camaraderie, while spewing negativity ends up snowballing and covers your friends in a toxic avalanche. We do need sounding boards, but we do not want to pollute our immediate atmosphere. Tip #2 encourages you to write, while this tip encourages you to write an imaginary dialogue about the negative experience itself: “Dear Diary, you wouldn’t believe the day I had.” Keeping a journal is important for self-growth. “Write about what you know about” incorporates the material into your current work in progress.
5. If the negative situation emanates from the writer’s block itself, you simply feel stuck. Think of your writing as energy flowing throughout your body. When you have writer’s block, the energy is constipated! To uncork the flow, find a way to reach a meditative state. Personally, I find that taking a walk is highly beneficial. During the walk, I ensure that I keep an even, rhythmic pace. I let my thoughts wander and once I latch upon something, I write it down as soon as the walk is done. There is something about walking that seems to engage the mind in a useful activity while allowing energy to flow more freely. If you cannot walk (due to the weather, for instance) then find another rhythmic, solitary activity such as sweeping the floor.
Negative energy is so common that there should be a vaccine! In the end, it all comes down to attitude. Changing your attitude can be very difficult, for it involves changing your beliefs. Honestly ask yourself if you believe that you deserve to feel crummy. Once you realize that you deserve a life of happiness, the universe will respond. The problem is that we never know how long we will be in our funk. Release any fears of inadequacy that you may have. This block won’t last forever. It won’t be the last time that you experience a block, so it is worth finding ways to shield and protect your life-force. Don’t give in to the dark side. May the force be with you.
BE WELL AND WRITE WELL
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