Do you ever feel stuck when you are trying to write your caption on Instagram?

Yeah, me too.

Sometimes the inspiration flows, sometimes it’s stuck.

No matter how hard I try to write down something, it just doesn’t feel right. It feels forced, it feels… not “me”.

I know my caption is “the one” when something simple magically happens: I write like I speak.
This, my friend, is my first tip to you: write like you speak.

But the thing is, we are always on-the-go. Always scrolling. Always reading other people’s captions. All these can be “distractions”. They can pull us away from our own voice – which is the one you want to use to write your amazing captions.

Do you want to know what I do to find my own voice again?

Here are my 10 tricks to help you feel yourself again in those moments when you’re just stuck and you want your thoughts to flow naturally:

Also read: 13 Creative Instagram Caption ideas

1. Imagine you are talking to your friends

Imagine you are talking to your friend face-to-face. Or imagine you are texting your friend and you want to tell him or her this amazing story. What would you say to him or her?

How would you describe the photo or moment to your friend?

2. Write your captions in advance

I don’t like freaking out about what to write just before I post on Instagram.

So this is what I do: I use Preview to plan my Instagram feed in advance.

I set a time and a day to plan my Instagram in Preview. This day is my “Preview day”. It’s like a date with my Preview app. Having this date puts me in a very creative “Instagram” mood.

I know when the day is coming so I get super excited. My “Preview day” allows me create my Instagram on my own terms, in my own time, at my own pace. And I always look forward to it.

Writing captions in advance:

• Removes the pressure of coming up with something on the day of posting, and
• Allows me to write down some of my thoughts and come back to it later

But sometimes, I just don’t know what to write. I freeze. When that happens, this is what I do:

3. Take a break

I know, I know. You might not like this tip, but trust me: take a break. Don’t stress yourself out over an Instagram caption. Today might not be the day to write an Instagram caption. Take a break, and come back later.

4. Read your old captions that you really like to find your voice again

Get inspired by your own Instagram captions. Find a caption you wrote that you really like. Read it again. It might help you find your voice again.

5. Read an inspirational caption or blog post

Is there someone who inspires you ? Go in their Instagram captions or on their blog and start reading. Sometimes reading someone else’s story will inspire you to write your own, using your own words.

6. Start writing in your notes, for fun, like you’re talking to your personal journal

I do this a lot. When I’m completely stuck, I just start writing. I don’t start with an introduction or a goal. I just write what’s on my mind. Sometimes it is not even directly related to the post. I write what I am thinking about at that time and guess what? It gets the creative juice flowing again! Once I get the creative juice flowing, I milk it (lol). I take full advantage of it and I start writing my captions.

Give it a try next time you are stuck too. Just start writing somewhere, like in your Notes or your Preview app.

7. Look at your photo carefully and relive your emotions from that moment

Another trick is to immerse yourself in your photo. What can you see? What can you feel? What is the story behind the photo? Is there something that stands out in your photo that will make a fun story or quote?

8 . Don’t be hard on yourself, not all your captions have to be a masterpiece

If inspiration doesn’t strike and you want to post, don’t stress out. It’s ok if your caption doesn’t sound like you want it to be. Most of the time, people will not even notice it. Your words will resonate with them.

Remember, Instagramming is not about perfection but connection. I have learned that posting on Instagram even if my caption is not “perfect” is still better than not posting at all for days and weeks. People are happy to keep in touch and connect at any time – even if you think your caption sucks.

9. When inspiration strikes, write down all your thoughts

Boom! All of a sudden, out of nowhere, you might feel inspired to write a bunch of captions. It flows, you feel good about it, you’re having fun.

Take advantage of this moment and write down all your thoughts. It doesn’t have to be super organized. Open your Notes app or your Preview app and start writing your captions.

10. Write your thoughts as soon as you take the photo

Usually when you take a photo, you are in the moment. You see thing, smell things, hear things, experience things. Notice these “things” and remember them. If you can, write them down straight away. Otherwise, wait to be home or wait for the end of the day. These “things” are part of the story you can write in your caption.

That’t it!

I really hope you found these tips useful. Do you have any other tips? What helps you feel inspired again?

Until next time, see you on Instagram or around our Instagram blog.