I know I’m not alone in this, but my world has been turned upside down the past several months, which resulted in me losing my creative spirit. My muse has been AWOL since mid-March. I blame it on the ‘Rona.

While I usually read a book a week, I’ve read maybe two books in the past five months (including All the Light We Cannot See). And I haven’t written a word. Not a single word. Of fiction, I mean.

What I have done is journal. Many years ago, I began writing Morning Pages (if you aren’t familiar with The Artist’s Way, it’s worth checking out if you’re a blocked creative). During the pandemic, I’ve gotten back in the habit of journaling every day. Most days, I write 2 – 3 pages of longhand. It has become a ritual for me. After I feed and water the cats and dogs, I fix a cup of coffee, curl up in my favorite spot, and journal for a bit. I especially like sitting down with a fresh, clean journal and a good pen (this PILOT is my current fave). It’s helped me release tension, think about my place in the world, and be thankful for all that I have (running water! air conditioning!).

If you’re struggling with pandemic fatigue, perhaps feeling a bit down, take a few minutes out of your day to journal your thoughts. There’s something magical about putting pen to paper and letting your thoughts flow through your fingers onto the page.

If you have any tips for the love and feeding of an overwhelmed muse, I’d love to hear from you!