Summary

The author describes overcoming a writing slump by revisiting a conducive environment and engaging in activities that reignite their passion for storytelling, ultimately finding joy in the process of writing.

Abstract

The author shares their personal struggle with a disruption in their writing momentum due to life events. Despite facing personal issues, they manage to regain their rhythm by immersing themselves in a familiar and inspiring setting—a coffee shop. The process involves not just sitting down to write but also engaging in therapeutic people-watching and enjoying a bagel and coffee, which helps to stimulate their mental gears. The author emphasizes the importance of environment and habits, as suggested by the book 'Atomic Habits,' in getting back on track with their writing. The act of writing and ideating brings them immense joy and a sense of purpose, leading to a fulfilling and 'soothing' experience. The author encourages readers to follow them and check out their other stories, which explore themes of curating life experiences and the essence of true friendship.

Opinions

The author believes that starting a task isn't their issue, but maintaining momentum can be challenging, especially when life interrupts.
They express that personal issues can derail one's focus, but the resolve to continue with one's passion can be stronger.
The author suggests that the environment plays a significant role in shaping habits and can help in re-establishing a creative rhythm.
They find that indulging in simple pleasures like eating a bagel and watching people can be therapeutic and conducive to creativity.
The author values the process of writing over the outcome, finding happiness in the act of storytelling and ideation.
They advocate for prioritizing personal goals and passions, as it can lead to a sense of fulfillment and purpose in life.
The author encourages readers to engage with their work and explore other stories they've written, indicating a belief in the shared value of their experiences and insights.

Screech! Aw man, life put a speed breaker on my writing momentum!

Or so I believed…

#1 We’ve all been there. Done that.

I had a nice story momentum going on medium and then this happened.

Does this sound a tad too familiar!

For me starting something has never been a problem. I just start like the engine of a bike, hopping on and off I go.

Whoosh!

Great instincts! Yup.

I also managed to build a fine rhythm with my stories.

Punching in one neat idea after another gem.

Momentum — as in not just the punching momentum.

But the real momentum!

Them stories.

Stories that were beginning-to-brew-in-the-subconscious-part-of-my-hemisphere momentum.

During my non writing hours!

Delicious, might I add.

The ideas penetrating like the root tentacles of a new sapling deep in the soil.

The ideas were transpiring during sleep.

Organically!

Penetrating into the crevices and crannies of the soil. Wet or solidified.

But …

#2 But, life happened…

Wait, there’s always a but …

Isn’t that what life is all about…

If I get derailed, I will have a hard time not being able to getting back on the wagon again.

Been there, done that!

It is best to not get derailed. You might argue?

But life happens to the best of us and so what when we have to attend to personal issues.

I am, in this moment, punching this story at the Third Wave Coffee Cafe just around the corner. Of my home.

What is occurring in the moment is:

I’m getting into the groove of writing this story –

It is building a soothing pool of energy in my heart —

#3 How I got back on track

Not with a to-do list.

The environment has the greatest impact on us — wisdom gleaned from ‘Atomic Habits.’

The resolve to continue with the story streak became greater than thye personal issues.

As the idea became stronger, I just transported myself to the conducive environment — the coffee shop where all those stories had transpired.

This environment works on our minds to build a habit nugget is so bang on….

#4 Wait — there’s more to it than meets the eye!

It was not that I visited the cafe and the words poured out of my fingers.

My brain had to toasted into it.

I went and ordered a cream cheese bagel.

I put my laptop aside and started enjoying the bagel.

Watching the other visitors.

People watching always churns the muscles of my brain.

I find it therapeutic.

And something about it kickstarts my mental gears into motion.

My mind started to ideate.

I then ordered another cold coffee.

Yeah, I took the hit of calories.

Totally worth it — it was getting me into the groove!

As soon as I finished it, my mind had done the processing bit.

I just started to punch. And after about an hour or so, I put this aside.

Only to come back to it 48 hours later.

#5 How does it feel now?

‘Soothing!’

Yes, deliberate use of the word because getting back on track feels just that -soothing. A happy smile up the corners of my heart! Getting back to a process that you enjoy can give you so much joy.

Because I’m so process driven and not outcome focused.

I’m enjoying the process of writing.

Ideating.

Punching my heart out.

Tossing the gems of ideas from the chaff.

Does feel pretty awesome! To fall back into the groove.

I coaxed this story idea by soaking in the vibe of the coffee shop.

Wait — first, it was my resolve to put aside all compelling issues of life.

And just God damn prioritise to write!

I tell myself — my resolve will lead me to my life’s purpose crystallised.

If you enjoyed this story, do give Shiitaal Budhrauj a follow.

Better still, you might want to check out another story of mine.

It’s a story of curating experiences not things!

Curate Life Experiences, Over Indulging in Things!

And Watch Yourself Coalesce Into A State of Flow

medium.com

And another one on a delicious lunch date between two friends who are generations apart:

The Essence of a True Friendship

Transport From a Low Mood to a Zone of Euphoria in a Matter of Seconds

medium.com