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The War Between the Brain and the Blank Page

by Gabby Williams

As a creative, it is incredibly frustrating when I want to make art but my brain just refuses to meet me there. The feeling of knowing that you want to write but having an empty mind is so annoying and anger inducing. Attempting to create art when your mind will not cooperate can be very irritating, but it forces us to confront the gap between desire and ability. Within that gap, a truer, but less romanticized version of creativity emerges.I’m sure I’m not the first or only person to experience this feeling. We’ve all been there. Just sitting there staring at a blank Google docs page for 20 minutes waiting for something to enter your mind as you beg for inspiration to strike. When the urge but lack of ability to create happens many things can be causing it. It could be exhaustion, perfectionism, anxiety, overstimulation, understimulation or even a genuine lack of ideas.It is imperative that you do not let any external pressures influence your creative output. Your art is the most unique thing out there, because there is only one you. It’s easy to let outside expectations sway your own expectations of your art. Putting expectations upon yourself can make this feeling of stuckness worse. Things like productivity culture which ties your worth to how productive you are or forcing deadlines upon yourself can also worsen feelings of being stuck with no ideas but the desire to create.One thing I have learned is that creating is a lot easier when it becomes less about creating something good and more about creating something. Once the bar is lowered, a door is opened for a lot more ideas that I may not have previously thought to be worth putting pen to paper. I have found writing prompts to be very helpful in getting me writing when I want to write but have no ideas. The only reason I am writing this essay is because I really wanted to write something and found a writing prompt for this essay in my prompt list.I have been taught by this temporary inability to create that, I do not always need to make something. I don’t always need to be productive and creative. I don't always have to be doing something. Resting is allowed. Not allowing rest will just exacerbate yourself and make it impossible to make art, however it is you do that. Once I fully understood that I allowed myself the time and space to step back when I felt stuck or unable to work because sometimes all we need is time. Now creativity feels a lot different because even when I don’t have an idea, I know one will come eventually. In the meantime, I can bookmark writing prompts on instagram, make moodboards on pinterest, or do whatever else I can to fill time until my brain decides it’s ready to create.

Songs of 2026

january

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8 albums I loved from 2025

A few personal picks from last year along with random recommendations.

1. This Is For

This Is For was released by the K-Pop Group Twice on July 11th. The album has 14 tracks, totaling in 36 minutes. The title track to this album has a sound that I have never heard from them before. The album also features some (very underrated) unit songs.

Group Recommendation: Mars
Unit Recommendation: Let Love Go (Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana and Tzuyu)
My Personal Favorite: This Is For (Extended)

2. Lil Fantasy Vol. 1

Chaeyoung released Lil Fantasy Vol. 1 on September 12. The 9-track album is 21 minutes long. The sound of the album is something that is very unique for K-Pop and I love it. I would highly recommend giving every track a listen, especially if you are a fan of The Marias or Clairo.

Marias Fan Recommendation: Avocado (ft. Gliiico)
Clairo Fan Recommendation: GIRL
My Personal Favorite: My Guitar

3. Ruby

Every member of BlackPink did their second round of solo releases but in 2025. This album was released on March 5th. To me, none of them are truly as good as Jennie’s ‘Ruby’ The long-awaited 15 track album clocks in at a staggering 41 minutes, something unheard of for K-Pop. With this album, Jennie makes it clear in numerous ways that she is not just a K-Pop idol.

BlackPink Fan Recommendation: Like JENNIE
Western Music Fan Recommendation: Love Hangover
My Personal Favorite: Mantra

4. HOT

Although I wouldn’t consider myself to be a fan of Le Sserafim, I constantly find myself gravitating towards their music. HOT is 13 minutes long and has 5 songs. The album was released on July 14th.

Recommendation: Come Over
My Personal Favorite: HOT

5. Sequence 01

I’ve been a fan of J-Pop group, f5ve, since they debuted. Sequence 01 is their first album. It released on May 5th, with 25 minutes and 11 tracks.

Recommendation: Bow Chika Wow
My Personal Favorite: Underground

6. Midnight Sun

I waited such a long time for Zara Larsson to release the full Midnight Sun album. It was worth the wait. The album includes 10 tracks totaling in 32 minutes.

Old Zara Fan Recommendation: Crush
New Zara Fan Recommendation: Eurosummer
My Personal Favorite: Pretty Ugly

7. TEN: The Story Goes On

TEN: The Story Goes On was released with 10 tracks on the tenth day of the tenth month of 2025, which is ten years after the creation of TWICE. This album features 9 solo songs. The album is 28 minutes long.

OG Once Recommendation: ME + YOU
My Personal Favorite: MEEEEEE

8. EVE: ROMANCE

EVE: ROMANCE is amazing from top to bottom. The album was released on May 14th. With a mixture of 14 pre-released singles and new songs, BIBI made sure there was something for everyone all in 41 minutes.

Western Music Fan Recommendation: Sugar Rush
K-Pop Fan Recommendation: Derre
My Personal Favorite: Bam Yang Gang

Uploaded 01/13/26

Introduction

What is Nachleuchten?

Nachleuchten is a monthly Indiana-based solo-run pop culture magazine that I run in my free time. I plan to use website to post digital versions of my magazines as well as exclusive and articles.
Although I want to keep it solo-run, I wouldn’t mind having the writings, art, or photography of another person in an edition. If you would like something of yours featured in Nachleuchten please contact me. Contact details can be found on my website.

Who are you?

I’m GW. I’m an 18-year college freshman. You can learn more about me by reading the uncharacteristically personal first issue of Nachleuchten. Most issues will focus far less on me and more on people and things, but I felt it was necessary to introduce myself in an interesting way.

Where can I get Nachleuchten?

You can find each issue of Nachleuchten on my website which will always have the latest release. Physical copies are buyable on my Ko-Fi.

What does 'Nachleuchten' mean?

Nachleuchten is German for ‘afterglow’. I decided that the name of my magazine should be in German because the language holds a special place in my heart. I took German classes for all four years of high school. I would eventually like to release a fully German issue, but I don’t believe I am currently fluent enough for that.

Uploaded 12/31/25 - Last Updated 1/5/26