How I Resolved My Writer’s Block

How my second brain helped me overcome writer’s block

Expat in UK
2 min readNov 12, 2024
Photo by Unseen Studio on Unsplash

Writer’s block can be one of the most frustrating challenges a new writer faces. You may have all the time and space in the world to write, but when you sit down at your desk, your mind goes blank. I’ve experienced this countless times, this is the method that helped me overcome it.

After reading The Second Brain, I adopted this simple strategy. I created a Notion page on my phone, which I keep on the home screen for quick access. This page acts as a digital idea catcher, where I write down thoughts and ideas whenever they come to me — whether I’m brushing my teeth, watching my favourite K-drama, or travelling.

I keep the notes brief, just enough to capture the high-level idea and my thoughts around it. Sometimes, as I go about my day, I remember more details and add them to the notes. By the time I sit down to write, I have a collection of ideas ready to be fleshed out. This process significantly reduced the mental pressure of coming up with something fresh every time I write. The only thing left to do is the writing itself.

The result? My productivity has skyrocketed, and I no longer fear forgetting those brilliant ideas I once had. Our brains are for coming up with ideas, not storing them. Using a tool like Notion allows me to store these thoughts effortlessly, making it easier to focus on the actual writing.

This method has not only improved my productivity but also turned writing into a much less stressful process.

How do you deal with writer’s block? I’d love to hear your strategies! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Expat in UK
Expat in UK

Written by Expat in UK

Sri Lankan expat living in the UK writing on everything ranging from expat experience, book and travel tips, personal finance and working culture.

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