in the journal I keep, I write down the things that would surprise me to discover when I reread the journal in the future. And usually, that is the very dull, automatic, situational occurrences that I forget ever clouded my mind. The good thing about that is, once is down on paper, my mind makes better use of its processes without this clutter.

Flash fiction is the best. Pick out an object in the room and write a 5 minute story around it. That's my favorite writing.

Going back to the basics may help. Use the 5W1H (who when where what why how) to get yourself off the starting block.