Blocked? Try Cleaning!

I can't believe I haven't touched on this yet! Of all the methods I have written about, the one thing I haven't mentioned yet as a potential treatment (or perhaps even a cure-all if you're lucky!) for writer's block is to clean. Cleaning anything, whether it's your closest or your entire house, can be extremely therapeutic. As many studies show, a decluttered and well-organized space reflects a decluttered and well-organized mind, putting you in the path towards clarity lifting your spirits and even awakening that muse who has been kept silence for so long. Why do you think there are so many books about cleaning and organizing your home? Your surroundings [often] have a direct impact on you and your well-being, and often reflect what's happening inside you.

Someone with depression may not have the ability or motivation to clean. Or even put stuff away. Everything they use accumulates around them, piling up and up until it becomes too much. If this same person has a muse, that muse, already squandered and drowning as a result of this depression, is now suffocated through the anxiety the mess outside of her home, that is her "host". But to take one step and start actively tackling the cleaning process can lift the spirits, especially as the end result-a clean space--starts shining through. And when that space finally has been cleared, you've accomplished something. You feel satisfied. Like that you may find your inner muse reawakening, and you might even be able to write out that chapter you've been struggling with. Heck, you might even be able to finish your book! Or maybe not. But it's worth a try, is it not?

Want to listen to some inspirational music to help? Try "Never Give Up on Your Dreams (instrumental)" by Two Steps From Hell, or Hans Zimmer's "Run Free".

Unable To Write

Pumped full of antihistamines I am barely able to write. But at least I can spend time outside. Being trapped in a house in the grass seed capital of the world (thanks, Eugene!) and being severely allergic to grass.... Yeah, it hasn't been a fun month. But it's too beautiful out and I haven't written in so long, I just can't go another day without air, without breathing life into my new book I am so dedicated to writing.  But low and behold I now feel like I've hit a snag. Realizing I was pouring three books into one, I decided to try a writing exercise and break them up, saving the original of course just in case this exercise doesn't work out. Though my brain is half asleep and I don't know how to proceed. Half the time I'm second guessing myself, wondering if I'm using the correct form of "no" or "know" because right now they look the same to me. And the other half of the time I'm trying to reread what I've written desperate to make sense out of it because let's be real, words do not make sense right now.

This is known as the problematic "brain fog". And it's not fun. I feel zombified (I'm making that a word now, just in case it isn't). But I feel physically well other than that. Allergens are gone. I'm breathing air. I'm able to write this Then again, writing on my blog is one of the easiest things for me to do when it's just a recap of why I've been absent, admitting the painful truths behind the writing process, or writing about why I love being a writer. 

With that having been said, I think amidst all this negativity I would like to focus on why I love being a writer. I love creating and crafting new worlds I can essentially teleport myself into, essentially making friends in my mind, in addition to enemies. It's a wild ride, not unlike acting, and I love that. 

But what do I do when I'm unable to write? I let my imagination run, or I angrily slay dragons on my XBOX and say "take that, brain fog!" 

It's the little things, right?

[Oh yes, and happy June!]

The Restless Writer

Finally having chosen to go off meds awhile back, I have been feeling much better, though I admit I also feel slightly stuck. The writer's streak I had going so strong and so steady has seemingly vanished. I'm also having a hard time figuring out how to get back into the swing of everything after having taken a break from my editing career. Getting back into a groove after being out of it for son long...I thought it would be easier than it is. But then I haven't exactly been taking my own advice; i's funny how easy it is to forget your own words of "wisdom" so-to-speak. It's time to re-read my
6 Simple Tips for Editors & Writers to Create an Organized and Productive Work Flow considering I didn't just write this as a fluff piece--this list has actually helped me in the past, hence the reason I compiled it together in an attempt to help others. Who knew I'd need it to help myself too?

In other news, I have had a fair number of people asking me what I'm going to do in regards to changing my name, something I've been bringing up on this blog a fair bit. I wasn't able to answer without much other than a simple "I don't know yet" but I am here to tell you I have finally made a decision and will be henceforth [illegitimately] changing my name to Dylan Sabrina but I think I prefer Sabrina or at the very least the penname Sabrina S.K. Regan because in my artistically-inclined ventures that have been feeding my soul...using "Sabrina" feels like maybe I should because as I see it, it's all part of my spiritual "food" for lack of a better word. 

At this point, after talking to many people who have changed their names both in person and digitally, I will be changing only my pen-name for the time being, along with other aspects of my digital life, rather than legally changing my name due to some of the hassles associated with the process. Still, for other people to start calling me Sabrina...that would be amazing! 

That said, for those of you who have known me for a long time, just go with your gut regarding what you'll call me 💖🌷

~Sabrina S.K. Regan

---UPDATED 6/5/24---

I am currently starting to move away from the name Sabrina and will be relying on Dylan. For those wondering why I'm making the switch away—Dylan Sabrina was my spiritually chosen name, with Dylan being chosen as it was "supposed to be" my legal name (back when my parents thought I'd be born a boy and then heteronormatively thought a girl couldn't be named Dylan) while Sabrina was chosen for strictly symbolic/spiritual reasons. As such, I would like to move away from using "Sabrina" in my day-to-day life and start only using for what it was supposed to be used for—my spiritual work and practices and move toward using the name "Dylan" in my casual, artistic, and all other general and legal aspects of my life.

~Dylan K. Regan