6 Tips to Beat Writer’s Block
As a freelance writer, writer’s block is a real thing. It slows me down, makes it harder to meet my client’s demands, and really is a downer on my daily productivity. I’m sharing a guest post today all about the best ways to beat writer’s block.
This post is perfect whether you’re a freelance writer, blogger, or even a college student. Writer’s block is the worst! Follow these tips to beat writer’s block and once for all.
Writer’s block is the scourge dreaded by creatives everywhere. That feeling of blankness, hitting a wall and being unable to produce new work. It’s not just reserved for authors and poets, however. Professional freelancers and students everywhere rely on the ability to write and communicate effectively in order to be successful in their roles.
Don’t let writer’s block get the best of you. I’ve compiled a short list of five easy ways to beat it and stay productive.
1. Go for a Walk
Taking breaks and changing your environment is a great way to relieve thought-blocking stress and clear your head. Any kind of physical activity can serve as a form of therapy, relieve anxiety, and get the blood pumping to your brain.
A walk in nature, however, is an especially great opportunity to practice mindfulness that can spark new ideas. Be sure to bring along a notepad and pen so you can jot down notes and hit the ground running once you get back to your computer.
2. Write a Draft Without Stopping
Try writing a draft on the topic without any expectations. Just force yourself to sit and write down whatever comes to your head without stopping to think. Don’t correct your grammar and don’t look for structure: just write. Most of it probably won’t be usable, but it will definitely get your brain working and should clear up your creative blocks.
Sam’s comment: Write Or Die is a great tool for forcing words out without worry. It’s a bit intense, but it gets the job done.
3. Take a Nap
Sleeping doesn’t just give you a mental break from writing, it can also boost your creativity and problem-solving abilities. By lowering stress levels and resetting the mind, a quick snooze should allow you to return to work feeling rejuvenated.
Keep in mind that naps should only be between 20-30 minutes long so it’s important to get the most that you can out of them. Make sure your bed is prepped for the rescue mission– sunlight-blocking curtains, a comfy mattress, and cozy pillow or two can help you fall asleep efficiently and wake up refreshed
4. Read a Book
Reading stimulates the brain and has been shown to improve the ability to think outside of the box. Losing yourself in a new world or learning something new, particularly in fiction, can trigger the imagination and improve overall brain function.
Perhaps even more importantly, however, reading takes the mind off of stressful creative blocks and can open you to new information and ideas.
5. Listen to Music
Music can increase heart rate and blood flow, improving creative ability. Just make sure you’re listening to fairly relaxing, lyric-free music. Anything that’s too fast-paced or word heavy can force your brain to multitask and draw your focus away from the task at hand. Consider enjoying some premade playlists designed to boost your creative flow and concentration.
6. Avoid Procrastination
The longer you wait to write, the more your stress will build and distract from your work. Productive writing typically requires a strict routine, not just working when the inspiration hits.
Set up a schedule of when you will sit and work, even if it’s not on the topic for which you’re supposed to write. Your schedule should block out a few hours a day when you turn off the phone, isolate yourself into your space and simply write what you can. This will prevent you from mistaking procrastination for writer’s block and will definitely produce a few paragraphs with which to work.
Kick Writer’s Block to the Curb
Writer’s block doesn’t have to interrupt your flow completely. Take a deep breath, try out a few different solutions and get back to work! What are your best tips for addressing writer’s block?
Whether you’re a full-time writer or a side hustling blogger, once you master these ways to beat writer’s block, you can really do anything you set your mind to.
This is a guest post. I love to feature other bloggers, writers, and experts on Samanthability! To learn more about contributing, click here.
