Breathe to Create

When we think about breathing, likely it's to maintain our lives.   This puts breathing into the realm of necessary activity.  But writing IS our life for those of us who write or want to write.  And breathing is essential to our writing.   When we're in the flow of writing, breathing comes naturally to us.  And the words flow.  We don't need to stop and think about breathing.  But when we're blocked, stuck or frustrated, breathing does not come easily.  That's when we need to breathe.  Consciously breathe.

For those of you who have practiced or do practice mediation, you know what I mean.   You take a deep breath into the diaphragm, deep in your belly, and slowly you let the breath out.  As you continue to do this, concentrating all the while on your breath (some people find it easier or more effective to concentrate on an external object, like a lit candle), you begin to notice a change in how you feel.

You sit there, probably in front of your writing, breathing in and breathing out.   Even without words coming to you, you notice changes in your body.   Perhaps you notice the lessening of tension .   Perhaps you begin to notice your thoughts drifting by without you actively focusing on them.   If you sit long enough (the amount of time varies from person to person), the words are likely to begin to flow.   But, if the words do not begin to flow, if ideas do not begin to percolate, then it's time to do what I typically recommend.  Write anyway.

Write anything.    Write nonsense.  Write something that you repeat over and over.   But fill the page or pages.   Decide how many pages you want to fill and be sure you don't stop writing with your pen, pencil or computer until you've reached your goal.  You can write badly if that's what happens.  As I've often said, there's no writing well if you don't just write.   And if you just write, there will be times you will write badly.   But still, you must write.

When you're done, sit back and notice that even with this less than desirable writing product, you had let yourself breathe.  And if you have written something you really like, let yourself enjoy it.   Let yourself feel good that you have had a writing experience.   Let yourself know that you ARE a writer.

Betsy Landau is a licensed psychologist, life and writing coach, adjunct professor of psychology, author, and publisher.   She is a certified Life Coach by MentorCoach LLC.  

Her recent book, Mirabelle's Memoirs: a feline tale  is available on amazon.com. 

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