The writing itself isn't being blocked. We can make time for sitting at the keyboard or with a notepad. It's not even the lack of words, thoughts or ideas. They're in there. They're just not in the right place at the right time. The writing process is a process, just like any other thing we do with intention. The writing part is vital. But, it's just a part of the necessary flow, from spark, to idea, to recall and finally to codification. We think of writer's block as something which happens to us at the end, when we're scheduled to write. But, it's more likely there's something in the way along the way, before we're faced with writing it down. The blank we're drawing is part pressure induced (the need to get something on paper now) and part empty basket of things to write about.
The excitement, the energy, the flow or zone effect we feel from writing comes from an idea. Where do ideas come from? Idea flow is different for each of us, just like appetite or favorite color. But, essentially all ideas are born from noticing and then weaving something into and around what we notice. A former colleague made a habit of noticing and then immediately marking what he noticed on a sticky note, usually one word or two. They were everywhere, like a trail of crumbs leading to a lost meal. Later, he would use them to construct an idea and then to develop a more articulated thought and perhaps a project to work on. He always had a seemingly endless amount of ideas...and projects. And these weren't born at a scheduled time. They were born from noticing and being sparked by something.
A possible cure for writer's block is to develop a habit of noticing and to create a system for it. Whether we use sticky notes, a photo, a voice memo or a notepad doesn't matter. The point is to use a tool to record the sparks. We need to give ourselves fuel for the engine of writing, painting, engineering or any other creative endeavor. More fuel provides more energy, and more interest. It might help us look forward to the time we get to write.
Most of us are lucky enough to receive thousands of stimuli daily, lots of input which causes thought, albeit sometimes just for a moment or two. The key is to be present with these moments. And then to capture them for later use. Build a habit of being more present, and a system for recalling it later. Maybe it's as simple as a sticky note.
HT to Alex, thank you for the ideas