You know the feeling.
Your laptop is open, fingers hovering over the keyboard and the words are on the tip of your tongue. But nothing appears to be happening. No, you’re not bored or tired. I’m afraid you’ve been struck with writer’s block.
It can feel like the end of the world for any kind of writer, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s loosen you up and get those words going all over again.
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Change Your Environment
Do you always write in the same place? At the dining room table? In front of the TV? In bed? Wherever you get creative, leaving that spot and finding one new can really get the brain working.
Hit the local park. Set up shop in a nearby coffee shop in true hipster style. Or maybe the library. Anywhere that’s not associated with work will do you a world of good.
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Move It, Move It
If you suddenly feel like your mind has hit a brick wall, and you couldn’t string the letters C-A-T together let alone a full essay, step away from the desk. Whether you’re a gym junkie or just prefer to walk, getting your blood pumping and a sweat on can really help.
It does matter if it’s a run, a spinning class or a yoga session in your living room, just get moving.
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Procrastinate Smartly
The temptation to scroll through social media is unbearable. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram… You know it, you can swipe it. And while it’s certainly not productive to spend huge amounts of time on there, it can actually help freshen up your brain when you need it most.
Give yourself half an hour – not too long and not too short – to just goof off and completely distract your mind. Once that alarm goes off, get back to your desk and let the magic happen.
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Change Time
Some of the best and most well-known writers in the world are famous for working to a strict schedule. Haruki Murakami, John Grisham, and Stephen King to name just a few. And while creating a routine is perfect for some people’s creativity, it doesn’t always work for everyone.
If your writing practice starts to feel like it’s lacking in inspiration, break the routine. Write first thing in the morning or last thing at night and see if that helps.
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Be More Mundane
For some people, reading or doing a puzzle is the perfect way to reset their brain. But for others the idea of engaging their mind even more causes a headache. The answer? Switch it off for a bit.
You know when you’re driving or doing something you do every day and your brain just goes on autopilot? That’s what we’re trying to do here. So do that pile of dishes that’s been bugging you, iron those clean clothes, hoover the house or take a shower – don’t forget that everyone’s best ideas appear in the shower.
P.s. How to Not Beat Writer’s Block
So we’ve covered what you should do, but what’s not going to help you out?
- Don’t wait for inspiration – If you refuse to put pen to paper until inspiration strikes or for the perfect moment, then you’ll be waiting for a very long time.
- Don’t turn on the TV – Before you know it, hours will have gone by and you won’t have written a word. You could watch an educational movie though!
- Don’t read articles about writer’s block – Uh-oh. But honestly, the best way to write is to do just that. Write.
