Getting or feeling stuck,

something we all experience now and again,

can affect not only your emotions,

but your creativity.

Here's one way that I cope with this:

Getting out of my comfort zone.

This forces you to adapt to a new environment,

and when you do this,

you promote personal growth,

which is a great way to prove to yourself

that you are moving in a positive direction

and you should keep that momentum.

My mind is naturally less inclined to spontaneity,

but I still try to challenge its settings,

and rewrite some of the code,

and it benefits me

each time.

As an artist, Reader

there are countless moments of disappointment we face,

like the slim odds of funding success for example,

or 'making it' (whatever that means),

which contribute to 'stuckness',

and so you have to,

metaphorically,

bulletproof your mind

in order to deal with those forces.

Impromptu activities or challenges train your mind

to expect and embrace the unexpected,

and can thus help you bounce back from seeming defeat.

My brief hiking experience

has been a prime personal example of this,

as I navigated different terrain and pushed myself

physically and mentally to make progress,

that has then given me newfound self-belief,

and a sense of confidence to overcome obstacles.

So,

if you find yourself feeling stuck,

or as if your growth has stagnated,

try something new and challenging,

and force yourself to prove those doubts wrong.

Creative Update

I've recently had the date confirmed for a headline show I'm doing...

It will be an hour-long poetry set at The Heath Bookshop in King's Heath, Birmingham on Sunday 18th October from 4.30pm.

I'm currently assembling a set list and it's going smoothly so far.

I will be sharing a wide variety of original poems on the night and it would be great to have you at the event if time permits.

Entry details below.

Upcoming Opportunties

Driftwood Press are open for submissions in various categories including in-house poetry and short story contests.

Driftwood are 'an independent magazine publisher & press [...] [who] publish chapbooks, full-length poetry collections, comics, novellas, and a robust literary magazine yearly.'

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT: VARIOUS

Carnegie Mellon University Press are currently looking for submissions for manuscripts in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.

If you ever wanted recognition in an American press, this is your opportunity!

DEADLINE: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16

Catch Me Next

Speak soon,

Bilal Psyche Akram