3 Most Major Distractions When Writing
People believe that writing is as simple as sitting in front of a computer or picking up your pen and a piece of paper and starting to write.
As easy as that.
Most of us are unaware that actions performed by a writer in writing a thousand words take time and effort with a grain of salt. It's similar to having this skeptical attitude; writing is an easy job, inevitably wrong. The truth is mental, physical, and emotional balance is a tangled thread in the fabric of writing.
Writing seems to be similar to listening to our favorite music as the soothing beat of the sound gives our soul inner peace that allows us to find our atmosphere. On the other hand, in writing, as our imagination works, we hear the words in our head playing in their kind of rhythm. And from that rhythm, the magic of writing evolves.
But our imagination often does not function. Not all of the time, we can perceive the words bubbling up through our minds. There are times when we feel as if everything around us is drawing our attention away from our enthusiasm and disorientating us from writing. What happens next is we are lost.
What is causing this distraction?
Either a writer is mentally or emotionally disturbed. For instance, in my case, as I set out to write an article, I managed to open my laptop browser to do some extensive research. After scanning two or more sites, I became distracted by the sudden sound of thunder, which frightened me since young.
Or else, when I could notice my parents arguing outside of my room and could hear my mother's voice in between sobs, which diverted my emotion. And from there, how should I progress with my writing when everything around me is disturbing me?
Whatever the cause, distraction has a wide range of adverse repercussions that threaten to sidetrack projects or plans and keep writers like me from the attentiveness and willingness to finish a goal.
What are these significant distractions? Let's talk about it more and determine if you experience the same thing I do.
1. FINDING INSPIRATION
Consider yourself doing something without inspiration, then try to convince me if you accomplish everything without knowing why you're doing it or for whom you're doing it. I don't believe you can persuade me at all.
The definition of inspiration in this context is a person or thing that motivates you to begin writing a single word or sentence. You can find your inspiration wherever you go, regardless of the type of writer you are. If you are a homebody kind of a writer, you can use your family, pet, favorite author, or book as an encouragement to begin writing.
If you are outgoing, go out and look for something that tickles your curiosity to begin writing. It could be the sky's color, the sound of the wind, or the children playing in the park. Anything that gives your heart pleasure and sets the mood of your day.
After discovering your reasons to write, it would be a piece of cake for you to put your inspiration to words. But if you won't find perfect inspiration, you won't know how to begin.
2. SLEEP DEPRIVATION
Self sleep deprivation leads you to procrastinate. This mentality will bring you to a state of lacking focus. I tell you, it is your worst enemy.
The "I'll do it later" behavior is an aftermath of lacking sleep. When you are too tired, you could never think of doing something except laying in your bed with your eyes closed and thinking about starting something after waking up.
Do you know that sleeping and writing have connections?
How?
According to scientists, when you are in a deep sleep, your brain is mining ideas during the average night of sleep, followed by REM sleep, where dreams usually occur. Dreams or fantasy have helped inspire stories and poems throughout history, and they are a handy tool for writers.
Now, if you don't get enough sleep most of the time, your brain process is in jeopardy. You won't even take a chance to have a good dream, most likely. Assuming your mind is active most of the night, well, this situation is understood because it happens to anyone occasionally. Still, make sure to sleep whenever convenient for you.
Sleep. To allow your body to recharge and refresh. Don't be a servant of your sleep disorder; It can distract your kick-start in writing.
3. SOCIAL MEDIA
It is fact-based. If you keep online with your social media accounts, you don't bring your entire mind and imagination to the page. You can't even start a single word. Writing is difficult enough, as any distraction is welcome. Our social media feed is the utmost form of escapism.
I know most of you know the common forms of social media I am referring to below:
Aside from what I mentioned above, you can name any other social media platforms you participate in; I'm sure there are still lots. Almost everyone recognizes how these public platforms work, which is why the vast majority of the world's population is obsessed with its norms.
Nevertheless, as much as writers should conduct extensive research to gather facts and ideas for a more reliable and solid write-up, no wonder that they often participate in any social media site. But, if they lack control and concentration; as a result, they are eventually vulnerable to a massive amount of distraction.
The greater the distraction, the more challenges a writer can overcome without giving up.