Meet Bernail Fluellen

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bernail Fluellen . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bernail below.

Hi Bernail, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

Overcoming creativity blocks, whether it’s writer’s block or a general lack of inspiration, can indeed be challenging but manageable with the right strategies. Here are some approaches that have helped me navigate moments like this with grace:

Prayer and Meditation: I often take moments to be still, pray, and reflect. It helps clear my mind, reduces stress, and opens up mental space for new ideas to flow. My favorite scripture to meditate on is John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branch. If anything abideth in me and I in him will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Change of Environment: Shifting to a new environment can stimulate fresh ideas. Nature has been a consistent sweet spot for me to reset my mind and heart. One of my greatest healing and writing experiences came after time spent on a nature trail along a refreshing waterfall. New surroundings can spark creativity.

Rest and Patience: Sometimes, pushing too hard can stifle creativity. Allowing yourself to rest and be patient during creative blocks can be productive. I often take breaks, engage in different activities, and simply give myself permission to step away momentarily to be still.

Flowing with Inspiration: Learning to flow with inspiration has been a great tool. I’m cognizant and open to where inspiration leads me—whether it’s starting a different creative project or exploring a new angle in my writing has been a great navigation tool.

Routine and Discipline: Establishing a routine for creativity, such as setting aside dedicated time each day or week, I’ve found to be helpful in maintaining momentum. Even if you don’t feel inspired initially, the act of sitting down to create can often kickstart ideas. Find a good comfy chair, pillow and space…make it inviting where you will desire to come back to finish your creative projects.

Seeking Inspiration from Others: Engaging with the work of other creators, attending workshops or lectures, or simply having conversations with fellow creatives I’ve discovered can provide fresh perspectives and ideas.

Writing Prompts or Exercises: I’ve often read books and devotionals from an array of authors. These readings helped me jumpstart creativity by igniting new ideas, introducing distinctive writing styles and aiding in choosing writing starting points.

Acceptance and Forgiveness: I’ve recognized that creative blocks are normal and often part of the creative process. Be kind to yourself during these times and avoid self-criticism. Speak over yourself that, “you will birth a new idea in perfect timing!” You were created to create something life-transforming!

By incorporating these strategies and adapting them to your own creative process, you can effectively navigate and overcome periods of creative block. Remember, creativity often thrives when we find ways to balance inspiration with prayer, discipline, acceptance, rest and self-care.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My professional focus centers around empowering individuals to embrace their dreams and navigate life transitions with resilience and clarity. Through my work, whether it’s through writing, speaking, coaching, or creating inspirational products and content, I aim to support visionaries in illuminating their craftsmanship, embracing artistic vision and discovering fulfillment in life pursuits.

What excites me most about this work is witnessing the transformation that occurs when someone connects with their inner vision and takes steps towards walking in it by faith. It’s incredibly rewarding to provide guidance, prophetic encouragement, and practical tools that help individuals navigate obstacles and seize innovative opportunities.

My brand is deeply rooted in the belief that every person has the power to create meaningful change in their lives and communities. I emphasize the importance of resilience, adaptability, and maintaining a positive mindset, especially during times of transition or uncertainty.

Currently, I am expanding my platform to offer more interactive gatherings, workshops, online courses, and personalized mentorship/coaching sessions tailored to helping visionaries thrive amidst hardship and change. These initiatives aim to provide practical strategies and emotional support for individuals looking to pivot in their life/careers, start new ventures and innovative projects, or navigate personal and spiritual growth.

I am also excited about launching new content formats, including inspirational media/writing content, innovative tech-friendly products, and collaborative projects with like-minded visionaries, creative entrepreneurs, and professionals, to further inspire and empower my audience. These endeavors are driven by my passion for personal development and my belief in the transformative power of embracing one’s dreams.

In summary, my journey is dedicated to supporting visionaries in illuminating their path forward, overcoming obstacles, and achieving their dreams. I invite you to join me on this bold journey of empowerment and growth, where together, we can navigate life’s transitions with purpose, intentionality and resilience.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities that have been most impactful are:

Adaptability: Being able to adjust to new circumstances, technologies, or user needs has been crucial. To develop adaptability, I’ve had to embrace learning new skills and technologies, stay curious about emerging trends, and be open to trying different approaches even if they differ from my original plans.

Resilience: Handling setbacks and challenges with resilience is key. To cultivate resilience, I pray and meditate on positive things to stay grounded, seek support from mentors and peers, and maintain a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout.

Continuous Learning: The ability to keep learning and evolving has been essential. I intentionally foster continuous learning, read widely within and outside my field, attend workshops and webinars, and engage in networking to exchange ideas with others in my industry.

For those starting their journey, my advice is:

Embrace Change: Understand that change is constant in any career or endeavor. Instead of fearing it, view it as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with mentors, coaches, peers, or communities that can offer guidance, feedback, prayer and encouragement during challenging times.

Invest in Skills Development: Regularly assess and upgrade your skills to stay relevant in your field. This could involve formal education, online courses, or hands-on experience. One of my leaders and mentors reminds me often to remain on the cutting edge of opportunity, innovation and technology by constantly challenging me to learn new skillsets, while enhancing current ones.

By focusing on adaptability, resilience, and continuous learning, individuals can navigate their journeys more effectively and be better prepared for whatever opportunities and challenges come their way.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

When feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to have strategies to regain balance and perspective. Here are some effective approaches:

Pause and Reflect: I intentionally carve out moments to step back from the situation to rest and gain clarity when feelings of overwhelmingness creep in. After completing large projects and during the week I often schedule time off to take a walk and sit in nature near water to unwind, reset and refresh. I also listen to inspirational music that speaks to my soul and gives me sweet joy. Learning about organic home gardening has become my new place of solitude.

Prioritize and Plan: I identify the most critical tasks or issues causing overwhelm and break them down into smaller, manageable steps. Creating a to-do list or using a productivity tool can help organize thoughts for effective prioritization.

Pivot Your Weight: During a recent shoulder injury I had to lean in closer to God and inquire of a strategy to heal well. I received a specific practical way on how to rely on my non-dominant side more during the healing phase to remove unnecessary weight on my recovering right side. This could also look like reaching out to friends, family, or mentors for support and guidance especially when carrying larger loads in certain seasons.

Sometimes talking through challenges can provide new insights or simply offer emotional relief. This can apply to many things in life. Be intentional about seeking support in areas of weakness when carrying BIG PURPOSE. You’ll discover relief, speedy recovery, a peace of mind and sense of balance.

Allow Faith and Measureless Grace to Strengthen You: If spirituality is important to you, reconnect with practices that ground and center you. This could involve prayer, reading scriptures, or attending faith-based gatherings.

Seek your faith to rely on a grace that has no boundaries or limits, giving you supernatural strength to carry life’s necessities. Let God’s grace strengthen you.

“So here’s what I’ve learned through it all: Leave all your cares and anxieties at the feet of the Lord, and measureless grace will strengthen you.” ~ Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself during stressful times. Avoid self-criticism and instead, focus on self-care activities that nurture your well-being.

Learn to Delegate: If possible, delegate tasks to others who can assist. Accepting help can lighten your workload and reduce feelings of overwhelm.

By incorporating these strategies, you can better manage feelings of overwhelm and regain a sense of balance and control in your life. Remember, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Prioritizing self-care and seeking support are key to navigating through challenging periods effectively. The greater the vision, the greater the weight of responsibility and support needed to carry you to a victorious win! Remember, be bold and courageous! You’ll be surprised what you can really achieve when you start to move in that direction day by day!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iambernail.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/iambernail1
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iambernail1
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/bernailfluellen
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/iambernail1

Image Credits

Claudine Gallagher