First published 4 April 2025

Dealing with Creative Blocks That Strike in the Middle of Projects

Have you ever been cruising along on a creative project – feeling inspired, productive, and totally unstoppable, completely in the zone… and then bam!  You hit an invisible wall! 

One day you’re in the flow, and the next you’re finding fourteen different reasons why organising your sock drawer is now absolutely the most urgent task in the universe?  Followed by cleaning the cooker!

You’re not alone.

In fact, as I write this, I’m in a dance with my own creative resistance.

That book I’ve been working on? The one with the self-imposed deadline of the end of March… well, that came and went while my head was buried in the sand. 

Let’s just say my relationship status with my book is currently set to “It’s complicated.” 😅

Why Mid-Project Blocks Happen (Even to Kinesiologists!)

From a kinesiology perspective, these mid-project blocks aren’t just about laziness or poor time management (though my sock drawer has never been more organised and my hob now sparkles!).
They’re often energetic resistance patterns that emerge precisely when we’re approaching something important.

Our bodies are remarkably clever at protecting us from perceived threats – even threats as seemingly innocent as finishing a creative project.

When we get close to completion, our nervous system might identify some subtle fears:

• What if people don’t like it?
• What if this changes how people see me?
• What if I succeed and can’t live up to expectations next time? (Yep – this one is screaming at me right now!)

These thoughts create actual energetic blocks in our meridian system, in particular affecting our:

• Triple Warmer meridian – responsible for our fight/flight/freeze/fawn response
• Kidney meridian – connected to our deep fears and sense of security
• Heart meridian – linked to our vulnerability and willingness to be seen

Testing Your Own Creative Block

Here’s a simple self-test:

Think about working on that tricky project. 

Now, extend your arm and have someone apply gentle pressure while you resist. 

If you feel significantly weaker when thinking about the project, you’ve found an energetic response that is likely contributing to the creative block.

(If you are on your own and I haven’t already taught you the sway test, think about the project and try to swallow – if it proves more difficult than normal – it’s the same as your arm feeling weaker!)

Five-Minute Fix: The Cross-Crawl Circuit Reset

When avoidance is winning (and even cleaning the bathroom is starting to look appealing), try this quick technique to reset your brain’s electrical circuits:

1. Stand up and walk on the spot, deliberately touching your right elbow to your raised left knee
2. Switch to touching your left elbow to your right knee
3. Continue this cross-body pattern for 1-2 minutes while taking deep breaths
4. As you do this, repeat out loud a few times: “I am safe to create. I am safe to complete this project.”

This cross-lateral movement helps integrate both brain hemispheres, while the affirmation addresses the subconscious fear response.

The “Ridiculous First Step” Technique

The last time I broke through my book avoidance, I used what I call the “Ridiculous First Step” technique.

I didn’t tell myself I needed to write a chapter. I didn’t even tell myself I needed to write a paragraph.

My only goal was to open the document and change one word. That’s it.  Just open it and change ONE word.

What happens next is almost magical – once you’re in motion, Newton’s First Law takes over.

An object in motion tends to stay in motion.

Before I knew it, I’d edited a paragraph, then a page, then written something new.  

This time, the wording is finished; it’s the mapping it across to the software and making it pretty that is the challenge, so remembering the above, I off to open the file with the plan to finding a typo – any typo!  I’ll keep you posted on progress.

Energy Testing for Decision Clarity

Still feeling stuck? This is where kinesiology really shines.  I help clients clear blocked energy pathways that are hindering their creative projects.

If appropriate, we can test whether your block is related to:

• Fear of judgment
• Perfectionism patterns
• Past creative disappointments
• Fear of success (yes, that’s a real thing!)
• Overwhelm from too many options

Or we can jump right in and clear the blocks without needing to find the pattern.  We get straight to the work, finding the right corrections to clear the pathways and restore your creative flow – no muss, no fuss!

My Confession and Invitation

So, full transparency: This email was due a day ago.

The irony of being blocked while writing about creative blocks was not lost on me!

But rather than beating myself up, I used it as a case study in practising what I preach.

And here we are – email written, lesson learned, and a perfect example of how our blocks can become our teachers.

If you’re wrestling with a creative project that’s hit a roadblock in the middle – whether it’s writing a book, redecorating your living room, planning a career change, or finishing that course you started – I’d love to help you clear the energetic blocks standing in your way.

Book a session this month and mention “CREATIVE BLOCK” for a one-off special 10-minute extension focused specifically on clearing creative resistance patterns.

Until next week, remember: that creative block isn’t a sign to quit – it’s just your energy system asking for your attention or for a reset!

Feel free to nudge me for the book – it will be ready soon 🤞🏼 So come on – Spill the beans – what project are YOU currently avoiding? Hit reply and let me know – sometimes calling out the avoidance is the first step to moving through it!