how to get unstuck

Move. former professor Sandy Wheeler gave me this simple but beautiful piece of advice in her conversation with John Malinoski, and Scout (see my previous post).

Sometimes when you're making something you get stuck in terrible molasses swamps. Somehow, you manage to work yourself into corners from which no escape or forward progess can be made. Most of us have experienced those off-days. Feelings on those days range from mild exasperation to existential despair.

The problem of being stuck has been mulled over and talked about by artists, scientists, teachers, musicians, and probably every human being ever. We refer to it as "writer's block", "hitting a wall", or "the well running dry." 

How do you get the well wet again? What's the solution?

Sandy's answer was so simple it floored me. Move. Engage your body physically. Take a walk, or dance. Body movement takes you out of a mental space and into the physical one. Striking a better balance between physical and mental activity (aka giving your overheated mega brain the occasional rest) could be just what you need to get unstuck.