OCD, ADHD and being creative/in a flow state

Rewards! Giving myself rewards for tasks complet!

Start writing anything related to the theme, brainstorm style. Bad grammar and incomplete ideas are okay. Random sentences in any order. Print the page then go for a walk or take a break. Later after relaxing and not ruminating edit the writing. You will have started and faced editing. I have tried this method to build momentum. Please let me know if it works. I have had some success with it because it helps me accept rough work. Regards

I find it very difficult to finish what I start as well; one technique that I've found helps is to make peace with not writing perfectly to start. Let go of the need to write beautifully; let go of the need to enter a state of flow. Just sit down and write. If you're having trouble finishing longer works, it may also help to take little steps and play to your strengths. For instance, I find that poetry isn't too difficult for me to tackle because I can finish a poem in one sitting. Right now I'm easing into a short story, since that's quite a bit longer but not quite novel-length.

I think it’s ok to start stuff even if you don’t “finish” it. In some ways, any piece of art is never “finished”, we just reach a point where we call it “done”. Plus starting is great practice for facing that daunting blank page. If it moves you, you’ll finish it. If it’s something you want to finish, treat finishing it like starting it back up until you reach a point where you can call it “done”, or really, “done enough”. So make the “practice” be just doing something, and then when the “playing” of it hits you, you’ll find you finish something. And absolutely reward yourself along the way! 💜