Just about halfway through September and I have not posted in forever.

So much for upping the game on writing, journalling, blogging – with more free time now, truly an empty nester – I lack the motivation.

I even started reading this wonderful book of writing prompts by Suleika Jaouad – more for journalling, for inspiration as a daily practice.

I dropped the ball after 12 days. I’ve been missing my memoir writing deadlines.

I met with my writers’ group this week, and asked about motivation for writing. Did my friends’ have a writing habit? Did they schedule their writing time? How did they make time for it in their lives, which from what I know are much busier (kids, family). Do they write only when they have inspiration?

I have writer’s block. But my colleague, who spent years in executive coaching and leadership, with a background in psychology, meditation

, all those good things… thinks I have a “life block.”

I think he hit the nail on the head. I’m at a cross roads, something is blocking me. My experience in writing is totally in sync with where I am in life.

Everything is fine, honestly. I am in a good place. But just sorta stuck.

So I found a bit of freedom – one technique suggested was dictation.

Why not dictate my thoughts, my stories, just as they come to me.

So I did just that for a day.

And was amazed, in all its messy, roller-coaster, multi-directional stream of consciousness glory — I ended up with three drafts. They need editing, lots of thoughts in my head.

Like life, it could use some fine tuning. But it’s a start.

What’s your motivation? What do you do when you’re stuck?