As a neurodivergent creative myself (I've got a big 'ol spicy case of ADHD) this is my area of expertise! In my experience, most writing advice is geared towards neurotypicals. And while it may work for some people, it most certainly has not worked for me. And if you're here, my guess is it hasn't worked for you, either.

The news, both good and bad, is this:

You have to do it your way.

But what does that look like, exactly?

For me, it's looked like accepting the fact that trying to "write every day" left me feeling like a fraud when I couldn't keep up. That trying to "bleed on the page" just led to me retraumatizing myself. That "write what you know" is advice best interpreted metaphorically.

It'll probably look entirely different for you. I've yet to meet two people who share the same creative philosophy. But figuring out what "Doing It Your Way" means to you is the single most empowering step a creative can take to get unstuck.

Did trauma screw up your creative practice? Yeah. Me, too. After my mom died, I struggled to put pen to paper for nearly two years. Even now, there are days when it's hard. But finding a way to return to my creative practice has made me feel like myself again. And it's possible for you, too.

Chaos may give us lots to write about, but it's not exactly the most conducive to producing high-quality work on a consistent schedule. And when life goes awry (as it inevitably does), it can be a challenge to get back on the wagon and start creating again. If returning to creative practice following a life change (negative or positive, big or small) is feeling daunting or insurmountable, let's chat. I'd love to help you find a way back.