Why won't my brain work?

[samincittagazze]

I'm sat staring at my dissertation introduction and I just. can't. do. anything. My brain has ceased up on me. I've written one sentence in half an hour. This isn't even normally procrastination, this is just...helplessness. I have notes, I have quotes, I have books and ideas. I have structure and comments from my supervisor when we went

Comments

[lsugaralmond]

Just start writing. Anywhere. Doesn't matter if it's the middle of a paragraph or if you don't have supporting quotes. Don't worry about structure or building an argument or anything yet, you can sort that stuff out later. Just get words on the page, keep going. You'll find your rhythm.

[samincittagazze]

I'm trying that but I'm finding I'm trailing off in the middle of sentences. :/ I do have another 100 words now I guess. Just 1500 to go!

[londonesque]

May just start typing a random stream of consciousness, and that will help things get moving?

[samincittagazze]

I seem to be consistently typing myself into a corner. I don';t know if I'm just mentally blocking it by panicing more than anything. IDK, if I can just get a little more done I can take it back to my supervisor tomorrow maybe and beg for help.

[londonesque]

Is there a uni mate (or a tutor) you can phone and ask for advice?

[medland]

Maybe take a break and go back to it later? Go and make supper and watch tv for a bit and/or take a walk. Or make a structured plan - paragraph headings and then leave it at that and write the paragraphs themselves tomorrow. <3

[samincittagazze]

I already have a structured plan, lol. Paragraph headings and everything. I have no idea what's wrong. If this is writer's block I hate it. It's like I physically become incapable of thinking. I really, really want this done tonight, at least mostly - I need to spend the bank holiday going over the main bulk of it. Arg. Thank you for your suggestions though.

[dreamingahead]

Breathe in, breathe out, make tea and get ahold of some chocolate asap. Chocolate always picks me up and reduces the stress in times like this.

*Huggles*

[red_scully]

Whenever I felt like that when I was trying to write my dissertation, I would sit down and just write utter crap. Seriously. I had pages that said things like "metaethics is complete rubbish and I don't understand MacIntyre because I am fucking stupid. He said some sort of shit about how the enlightenment period was relevant but I don't get it and something about how Kierkegaard's influence..." and eventually I'd actually start writing meaningful things without even realising it. It might not work, but I think it's worth a try :-) Don't panic though, you WILL get there. Believe me. I know it sometimes feels like an enormous mountain that you can't get over, but soon you'll be on the other side looking back at it and feel so proud that you made it. xxx