The Page Will Wait: 3 Mental Shifts Before You Write

You stare at the blinking cursor like it’s a personal insult. The doubt hits before your fingers even touch the keys.

It happens to everyone, especially when the isolation of a long Northern winter feels heavier than usual. You sit there thinking everyone else in the arts sector is churning out brilliance while you're just trying to string a noun and a verb together without cringing. That inner critic is loud, right? It tells you that if it isn't perfect immediately, it’s not worth doing. That is a lie your anxiety tells you to keep you safe from failure, but it also keeps you safe from magic.

First, let's reframe the goal. Your brain thinks creative writing means producing a polished, award-winning manuscript by noon. That’s way too much pressure for a Tuesday. Lower the bar until you can step over it. Tell yourself you are just going to write absolute trash for ten minutes. This is basically exposure therapy for perfectionism. When you give yourself permission to be bad, you accidentally create the space to be good. The fear of judgment shuts down the creative centers of the brain; permission to suck opens them back up.

Second, get out of your head and into your body. When we get stuck in a writer's block loop, we tend to dissociate, floating somewhere above our own shoulders. Try a quick grounding exercise before you start your session. If you’re in a drafty farmhouse near Kenora or a basement apartment in the Soo, just feel your feet on the floor. Seriously. Push your heels down. Notice the texture of your socks. Take three breaths where you actually pay attention to the exhale. You can't write from a place of panic. You have to be here, in the room, even if the room is messy.

Finally, remember that creative writing doesn't have to be a solo mission, even if you’re physically alone. The narrative of the "tortured solitary genius" is outdated and honestly, bad for your health. Connect with your why. Are you writing to impress an algorithm, or are you writing because you have a story that needs to get out? If the words won't come, text a friend in your local collective. Just say, "I'm stuck." Validated struggle creates resilience. We build a stronger arts sector up here not by pretending we are machines, but by admitting we are human. Be kind to yourself today. The page will wait.

Northwestern Ontario Arts, Culture and Recreation

Rooted in Melgund Township, Northwestern Ontario we're exploring arts, culture, and recreation programming that brings our communitiess together. From creative workshops and local exhibitions to youth activities and cultural events, we support rural artists, strengthen community connection, and celebrate the creative spirit of Northwestern Ontario.

Through community-based arts initiatives, recreation programming, and cultural gatherings, Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture fosters creative expression, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in the northern arts sector. Our work connects residents, empowers youth, and builds pride in local talent across rural Northwestern Ontario.

Learn more about our programs, events, and opportunities at Melgund Recreation, Arts and Culture.