How to Beat Beat Block & Writer’s Block: Creating Space for Your Creative Self

If you’ve been creating music long enough, you know the struggle—writer’s block and beat block can hit hard. I’ve been writing music for about 16-17 years now, and these creative roadblocks have come and gone throughout my journey. Sometimes, the only way to get through them is to just keep pushing. But over the years, I’ve developed a few habits and tools that have helped me create an environment where creativity flows naturally.

The Artist’s Way, and Breaking Through Creative Blocks

I’ve always been a J. Cole fan—since the mixtape days (The Come Up, The Warm-Up, Friday Night Lights). When he dropped Born Sinner, he spoke about struggling with writer’s block, and I related to that heavy. Around that same time, I was working on my project Notes to Self—which, funny enough, is what I named this blog after. J. Cole mentioned The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, a book I wouldn’t read until years later, but once I did, it changed my creative process.

The crazy part? I never even finished the book. And ironically, the book warns you that once you start applying its methods, you’ll feel a burst of creativity and think you don’t need to finish it. That’s exactly what happened to me. But even without reading it cover to cover, the value I got from it was immense.

Journaling & Morning Pages: The Game Changer

One of the biggest takeaways from The Artist’s Way was the concept of “Morning Pages.” Julia Cameron explains that creativity flows from a source—whether that’s God, the universe, or whatever you believe in. For me, it’s God. And the only thing required of you is to show up.

Morning Pages help take away the excuses we all make for why we’re not creating. I used to be one of those artists saying, “Man, I just have too much going on right now. Life is crazy, and I don’t have time or money to record.” But Morning Pages eliminate that mindset. It’s simple: every morning, you grab a notebook and write whatever’s on your mind—free of judgment, free of structure, and free of rules. Just three full pages (or a page and a half, front and back). It has to be handwritten, and ideally, your pen should never leave the paper. Writing in cursive even helps because it makes the process smoother.

This practice clears out the mental clutter. It helps you process what’s bothering you, figure out what you need to pray for, and even recognize patterns in your thoughts. Most importantly, it frees up space in your mind for creativity. But the key is—you have to show up consistently. That’s when you start seeing the benefits.

Ear Fatigue, Taking Breaks, and a Relationship Metaphor

Now, here’s something I still struggle with: knowing when to take a break. As creatives, we’ve been conditioned to grind non-stop. We hear things like, “No days off,” or “Sleep is for the weak.” But let’s be real—balance is everything. Grinding too hard leads to burnout, and burnout kills creativity.

One thing I’ve learned the hard way is the importance of giving your ears rest. If you’ve ever had your ears ringing or pulsing from working with compression too long, you know what I’m talking about. Taking breaks allows you to come back to your music with fresh ears and a new perspective.

I like to compare it to a relationship. Have you ever been away from your significant other for a while, then when you see them again, you appreciate them even more? That’s how taking a break works with music. When you step away for a little while, you return with a new level of appreciation for what you’re creating. Sometimes, all you need is space to fall in love with your work again.

The Power of Collaboration: Asking for Help

One of the hardest things for any artist to do is ask for help. We get so caught up in wanting to do everything ourselves that we forget the magic of collaboration. But sometimes, the missing piece to your song is something you would never think to add—but someone else might.

For example, when I was working on All Planned Out, I felt like something was missing rhythmically. Everything else about the production was solid, but it just needed a little extra something. One day, my friend Cameron Harrison, an incredible drummer and producer, came through. I asked him to add something to the track, and naturally, he started with drums. He ended up adding a couple of simple 16th-note bongo or conga syncopated hits—just tiny details. But those small additions made all the difference. Something I had been overthinking for weeks was solved in seconds, just by inviting another creative into the process.

That’s the beauty of collaboration. Sometimes, the thing you’re stuck on isn’t even a big problem—it just needs fresh energy.

Final Thoughts: Creativity is a Process, Not a Struggle

Writer’s block and beat block are real, but they don’t have to define your process. Over time, I’ve realized that creativity isn’t about forcing ideas—it’s about making space for them. Whether it’s through journaling, taking breaks, or collaborating, the goal is to stay open to inspiration.

So if you’re feeling stuck, try some of these methods. Show up for yourself. Write it out. Take a step back when needed. And don’t be afraid to bring others into your creative process. The more you allow creativity to flow naturally, the more effortlessly the music comes.

Have you ever struggled with writer’s block? What’s helped you break through? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it!

OH YEAH! If you’re looking for a structured way to unlock your creativity, I highly recommend checking out The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Even though I didn’t finish it, the lessons I applied from it changed my creative process forever. Whether you’re a musician, writer, or entrepreneur, this book will help you push past creative blocks and build habits that keep the ideas flowing.

👉 Grab your copy here: https://amzn.to/4hVtgUt