How to Start a Journal Entry & Overcome Writer's Block

How to Overcome the Intimidation of a Blank Page

Staring at a blank page causes "Decision Fatigue." Here is the secret to starting a journal entry when your mind is completely empty.

You have your pen. You have your notebook. You set aside time to journal.

And then, you stare at the paper. It looks perfect, clean, and untouched. Subconsciously, you feel like you need a brilliant, profound thought to justify "ruining" the page. So, you sit there. The clock ticks. Your mind goes completely blank.

This is what I call journaling writer's block. It doesn't happen because you have nothing to say. It happens because of Decision Fatigue. Asking your tired brain to instantly "be creative" on command is like asking a marathon runner to sprint the last mile.

Watch: How to Break the Spell of the Blank Page

In this 60-second video, I reveal exactly what to do when you get stuck.

The Magic of the "Anchor Sentence"

The first thing you must do to overcome the blank page is to ruin it. Permit yourself to write absolute garbage.

If you sit down with an empty mind, I want you to write exactly that. Use this exact phrase, which I call the Anchor Sentence:

"I am sitting here. I have 10 minutes. My mind is completely blank, and I have no idea what to write about today."

The moment you write that sentence, the spell is broken. The page is no longer perfect. It is messy. It is yours. Usually, by the time you finish writing it, your brain will offer up the next thought naturally.

The Momentum Protocol

As outlined in Chapter 5 of my book, Just 10 Minutes with Pen and Paper, once your pen is moving, you must follow the 3 rules of the Momentum Protocol:

✍️ 1. The Physical Override (Keep the hand moving)

If you get stuck, don't stop and stare at the ceiling. Keep writing, even if you are writing about the room you are in. "The fan is clicking. I am waiting for a thought." Physical momentum creates mental momentum.

🧶 2. The Yarn Untangle (Follow the tangent)

Let's say you start writing about your career goals, but suddenly you remember you forgot to call your mother, and then you start thinking about dinner. Write it all down. Do not force yourself to "stay on topic." Your brain is untangling the yarn. Let it.

🔒 3. The Editor Lockout (Never erase)

If you misspell a word, leave it. If you write a sentence that sounds stupid, don't cross it out. When you pause to correct grammar, you wake up the "Editor" in your brain. For these 10 minutes, the Editor is locked out of the room.

Quick Tip: Sometimes writer's block happens because you're using the wrong journaling style for your mood. Take the Free Journaling Personality Test to find out if you should be using lists, stories, or doodles instead!

Never run out of things to say again.

For a complete guide on bypassing writer's block, including the revolutionary 30-Day Prompt Engine, download the official book today.

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