Essential mindset shifts to unlock your creative writing flow.
You absolutely do not need inspiration to start writing something worth reading.
We treat the blank page like it’s a judge in a high court, waiting to sentence us for being boring. That pressure feels heavy, especially when you’re creating in isolation. Maybe you’re working out of a basement apartment in Thunder Bay or a quiet house down a gravel road near Kenora. The silence up here is beautiful, but it can also amplify that echo chamber in your head. You start thinking, “Does my voice actually matter?” or “Is this even good?” That isn’t a lack of talent. That is the freeze response. Your nervous system is trying to protect you from the perceived threat of failure.
So, let’s gently trick your brain into feeling safe enough to play.
First, you need to reframe the goal. Stop trying to produce art and start trying to produce debris. In the creative writing world, we get paralyzed by the idea that the first words down need to be the right words. They don’t. Give yourself full, unrestricted permission to write the “Zero Draft.” This is the version that nobody sees. Tell yourself, “I am going to write 200 words of absolute nonsense.” When you intentionally lower the stakes, the anxiety loop breaks. You aren’t writing a masterpiece; you’re just moving your fingers. The brain relaxes, and suddenly, the real story finds room to breathe.
Second, change your relationship with your Inner Critic. In Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we learn that fighting our negative thoughts is exhausting and usually futile. Instead, try defusing them. Imagine the voice telling you “you’re a hack” is just a grumpy passenger in your truck while you drive down the Trans-Canada. The passenger is loud. The passenger is annoying. But the passenger is not driving—you are. You don’t need unwavering confidence to engage in creative writing; you just need to be willing to feel unsure and keep typing anyway. Acknowledge the doubt, offer it a nod, and get back to work.
Finally, ground yourself in the physical world before you try to build an imaginary one. Writing happens in the head, but it burns up the body’s energy. If you feel stuck, step away from the screen. Look outside. Notice the specific grey of the Northern sky, the texture of the snow, or the grain of wood on your desk. Use a simple mindfulness exercise: name five things you can see and four things you can physically feel. This pulls you out of the abstract spiral of “what if” and back into the “what is.”
Your stories, specifically the ones rooted in this unique landscape, deserve to be told. Not because they are perfect, but because they are yours. Be kind to the process.
Exploring the arts in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario
With activities rooted in our Winnipeg, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario hubs, we’re exploring arts, culture, and recreation programming that brings our communities 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.
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