Tired of waiting for inspiration to strike your mind? Well, say hello to your Writer’s Block! We know it’s obvious to get stuck while writing and feel all lost. But there’s a way out for getting over writer’s block. For creators, inspiration and creativity walk hand-in-hand, and the absence of even one of them puts us in the rabbit hole.
Worry not; we all have been there, and to overcome writer’s block, we have found some tried and tested cures to help you deal with it. Whether you are writing an article, research paper, novel, short story, or anything else, these tips to overcome writer’s block will put your mind at ease, give it the right space to breathe and eventually, help you write like a pro!
What is Writer’s Block?
When our thoughts are in full motion, we are concerned about the output rather than the process of writing something. This worry and self-doubt often lead to writer’s block. It is a state of mind where we are unable to produce any new ideas or make progress in our writing.
Possible Ways to Cure Writer’s Block:
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Journal Your Thoughts:
When our mind gets full of self-doubt or demotivation, it stops us from thinking about new things, and eventually, we end up suffering from writer’s block. To remove all that you have in your mind, try journaling your thoughts. Give them a way to flow out and make space for something new. Apart from decluttering your mind from negative thoughts, journaling will help you work on your writing muscles. It’s all up to you to write whatever comes to your imagination, be it writing like a diary or expressing your emotions.
While you journal your thoughts, get a clear picture of your internal experiences, learn from them and get exposure to new perspectives. You will also be able to decide what amount of details you should be writing and which ones you should avoid.
If you find yourself struggling with journaling your thoughts, you could start with how your days are starting, how you feel after you see the sun shining through your window, how someone’s actions are affecting you or how your working habits are changing day by day. Even though it may not seem directly related to your writing, these experiences and emotions will eventually find their way into your work.
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Move Your Body:
When you are stuck in writer’s block, staring at the screen until something strikes your mind won’t always work. Instead, go for a short walk, stretch, or move your body to boost the oxygen levels in your brain and get your blood pumping. Studies show that walking helps boost your creativity, so you can couple it with any type of warm-up like stretching your arms over your head, touching your toes, or doing a little dance.
You can also prefer taking short breaks during your writing session to keep the creative juices flowing. Remember to avoid writing when you are feeling stuck; instead, give your mind and body the break it deserves to get the ideas flowing. If any of these don’t work, consider taking a nap or getting back to writing after a peaceful whole night’s sleep.
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Try Writing at the Silent Hours:
One of the major problems most writers face is not finding a silent space for creative writing. Although you can manage the distractions in your home, you cannot control the noises or distractions from outdoors. If you feel that writing during the day is a bit difficult, then try writing during the night. We understand that having a good night’s sleep is necessary, but as a writer, if you have an incomplete piece of writing, you won’t be able to sleep peacefully.
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Experiment With Your Writing Space
Spaces majorly affect your writing capabilities as we mentally associate with the place’s vibes. For instance, you tend to feel relaxed on a bed, so working on the same would make you a bit uncomfortable and divert your attention no matter how much you try to focus on your writing. Eventually, you will get short of new ideas and lose hold over writing. It is always better to have a separate space for your writing, which makes you feel inspired and motivated. Try experimenting with this space by adding some greenery and decluttering it to see if it works in boosting your writing and beating writer’s block.
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Don’t Overthink:
Overthinking is one of the most common reasons that puts us into writer’s block. That’s because we start to overanalyze and doubt everything we write, eventually getting wrapped in our own thoughts and becoming unable to write anything at all. So, whenever you get writer’s block, remember that you are writing from your perspective, and you are doing it for yourself. At this moment, don’t ever think of anyone else’s views on your writing or overanalyze your work and avoid putting too much pressure on your mind.
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Filter Out the Distractions:
With cell phones and the internet, it is easy to get lost in the distractions and lose track of your time. These are the major culprits behind our unproductive writing habits and make us suffer through writer’s block. To avoid these distractions, put your phone on silent mode or use online tools or applications that block certain websites or apps for a set amount of time.
This will help you to stay away from any online distractions while writing. Make sure you allow only the necessary and helpful applications to remain active during your writing session. Additionally, try to find a quiet and peaceful workspace where you can fully immerse yourself in your writing.
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Read Something:
Sometimes, the best way to overcome writer’s block is to take a break from writing and read something instead. This could be anything, from a novel or short story in your preferred genre to articles or blog posts on topics that interest you. Reading other people’s work can inspire you and give you new ideas for writing. It can also help you get out of your own head and see things from a different perspective. So next time you’re stuck at writing something new, try picking up a book or browsing the internet for something new to read.
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Spend Time Watching Visual Content:
We often underestimate the power of visual content in sparking our creativity. Watching TV shows, movies, or even YouTube videos can help get your creative juices flowing and provide you with new ideas for your writing. This is because visual content can stimulate different parts of your brain and allow you to see things from a new perspective. So, don’t be afraid to take a break from writing and indulge in your favorite visual content. Just remember to set a timer and not let it become a distraction.
Bottomline:
Writer’s block is a common struggle for writers, but it doesn’t have to hinder your creativity and passion. With the right strategies and mindset, you can overcome writer’s block and continue producing great work. Remember to experiment with your writing space, don’t overthink, filter out distractions, read something new, watch visual content, try writing prompts, listen to music that inspires you, and be patient and kind to yourself. You’ve got this! So, keep writing, keep creating, and never let writer’s block defeat you.