Writer’s Block, Dependables, and The Flu

Three tiny thoughts from me this week.

I’m a fan of Jen Hitze’s 5 Big Ideas, and I’ve noticed several Substackers sharing their thoughts in a similar format. Recently, I’ve been feeling a bit off—time-constrained and far from my usual creative self. Writing about my usual topics feels harder than ever.

So, I thought, Why not share just three of my musings instead?

Here they are.

Writer’s Block

I love writing. But right now? I don’t want to write.

Is this what they call writer’s block? Most writing blogs seem to think so. Just a month ago, I had a long list of ideas brimming with excitement. Today, none of them feels meaningful. Each first sentence feels like a mountain to climb. I stare at the blank page far longer than usual. Let’s call it writer’s block for now.

And of course, my mind starts its reasoning spree.

“Are you skilled enough to call yourself a writer?”
“Is this because you took a break and got lazy?”

But my intuitive self steps in, silencing the noise:
“It’s because you’re overloaded again.”

Overloaded with responsibilities. Overloaded with distractions. One is non-negotiable, but the other—distractions—is my numbing mechanism acting up again. You know why? Because I cut off my favorite comfort: sugar. Now I’ve turned to dramas and junk YouTube videos for that same comfort.

But knowing and understanding myself has helped. I’ve learned to accept where I am and fine-tune my expectations. So, I’ve chosen to slow down even further. Just observe where this leads me. Feed my curiosity.

And you know what? It’s beautiful when you do that—when you follow the lead without pressure.

With my values at heart, I know I’m still on the right path. No rigid rules. No fixed schedules. Just trust.

I’m writing this letter to all of you, not just because I love writing but because I want to stay connected.

It’s okay to pause. It still counts as discipline—as long as you start again.

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Dependables

I got this idea from Mohika’s article on Dependables—the things we can lean on when life gets chaotic. Her list was soothing and beautiful, so I decided to write one of my own.

When life feels overwhelming, I often turn to something new.

• Learn something different.

• Read something unusual.

• Watch a show instead of writing in my limited free time.

This sense of novelty, even if temporary, feels calming. For a little while, I forget everything and simply soak in the moment.

Another thing that grounds me? Hugging my child. That physical connection, however brief, allows me to breathe. Watching him play freely, without saying “no” to his whims, brings me peace. I make sure his environment is safe, which takes away my tension. And when he looks up at me, smiling to see if I’m still giving him my undivided attention—it’s a joy I can’t describe.

Finally, there’s nature.
The same garden. The same plants. Yet, they never bore me.
The blooms on the beech tree. The fresh scent of herbs. Pink flowers fallen on dark brown earth. It’s a quiet, sensory feast I’ll never tire of.

Scenes from the garden

For the past three weeks, I’ve been leaning on my dependables. I hope to create more of these do-nothing moments every day.

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Combat Flu

Flu season is here. At my clinic, I’ve been seeing many patients suffering from it. But you know what’s missing? Masks.

The practices that COVID instilled in us—hand washing, social distancing, wearing masks—seem to have faded from memory. Yet wearing masks still works. It protects not just you but those around you.

Here’s my advice to protect yourself and others from the flu:

1. Wear masks—when you’re out, when you’re sick, or when someone around you is sick.

2. Wash your hands often, especially after returning home.

3. Stay home if you’re unwell.

4. Get vaccinated—consult your doctor for the flu shot.

5. Eat healthy and stay hydrated.

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This way of sharing thoughts feels natural to me. I don’t know if this will become my regular format, but I’ll continue to share stories that explore single ideas too.

Let me know what you think.

Until next week

Love from

Shanjitha

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