Got an idea? blog it.

You ever sit there, staring at the blinking cursor like it owes you money, waiting for some divine spark of genius to strike? Yeah, me too. Spoiler: it rarely does. The truth is, half the time I don’t even know what I’m writing about until I’m knee-deep in it, convincing myself this is definitely what I meant to do all along.

So, since I had “no ideas,” guess what? That’s the idea. Welcome to the blog post about coming up with blog posts. Meta, right? When you find yourself with "no ideas," it can be frustrating. However, recognizing that this feeling is universal can be freeing. It allows you to embrace the creative process rather than fight against it. Here are some thoughts on why this state can actually be beneficial:

The Blank Page Stare-Down

Piacquadio, A. (2020, February 25). Woman in white shirt showing frustration [Photograph]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-white-shirt-showing-frustration-3807738/

Admit it. We all do it. The longer you stare, the more the page stares back, like some psychological horror movie. But here’s the trick: don’t wait for inspiration to show up wearing a crown. Start typing nonsense, complaints, or even what you had for breakfast. Nine times out of ten, the act of writing something shakes an actual idea loose.

(Bonus: people love raw honesty. “I didn’t know what to write today, so here’s me rambling until it makes sense.” Relatable content wins.)

Ideas Are Everywhere (Yes, Even in Boring Stuff)

fauxels. (2019, May 9). People discuss about graphs and rates [Photograph]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-discuss-about-graphs-and-rates-3184292/

In the wild world of blogging, nothing’s too weird or boring to work. Seriously, even the weirdest, most mundane thoughts can turn into something people actually want to read. Here’s how to take those “meh” ideas and make them useful.

• Old Notes: Ah, the treasure trove of forgotten drafts, voice memos, and the genius ideas you scribbled on napkins after one too many cups of coffee. Dive in! You might find a something—or at least a laugh at your past self’s brilliant (or not-so-brilliant) thoughts. Who knew that your half-baked ideas could actually lead to fresh content, right?

  
  

• Conversations: Remember that riveting discussion about the weather with your friend? No? Well, you should! Because buried within those casual chats are potential blog posts. Maybe you can write about making better conversation (I can name quite a few people who could benefit off that one). So, next time your buddy asks about your weekend plans, nod enthusiastically and think, “This could be the next viral sensation!”

  
  

• Your Own Life: Did you accidentally wear mismatched socks today? Congratulations! You’ve just unlocked a prize-worthy story. Everyday inconveniences are like gold mines for compelling narratives. So, embrace your minor catastrophes and share them with the world. Because if your readers can’t relate to your sock struggles, what can they relate to?

  
  

• Things You’re Avoiding: Let’s face it, the most powerful content often comes from the topics you’d rather avoid, like that awkward family dinner or your fear of clowns. Tackling these subjects can be rough for you and for those poor souls who relate. So go ahead, embrace the awkwardness and talk about that time you accidentally texted the wrong person a selfie. Who knew vulnerability could be so trendy?

  
  

Write About Not Knowing What to Write

picjumbo.com. (2015, February 25). Person holding blue ballpoint pen writing in notebook [Photograph]. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-holding-blue-ballpoint-pen-writing-in-notebook-210661/

This is literally what you’re reading. When in doubt, get meta. Readers don’t care if you’re “stuck” — they care about how you handle it. Plus, watching someone wrestle with their brain is more entertaining than being perfect. Just saying.

Make It a Game

If you’re really dry on ideas, turn it into a challenge:

• Write 10 terrible titles in 10 minutes.

• Pick one and force yourself to spin it into something.

• (Pro tip: “terrible” titles are often the ones people click on out of curiosity.)

The Takeaway

Writer’s block isn’t a dead end. It’s just a detour. Your best idea might actually come from the moment you thought you had none. So next time you’re staring at that rude little blinking cursor, remember: no ideas is still an idea.