How to Overcome Writer’s Block and Get That Cursor Moving Again
It’s time to get that blog post or article done for a client. Or maybe you’re working on a book or some other piece for yourself. Maybe you’re even in the middle of a project and…
Bam!
Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Writer’s block affects every writer at some point or another. What to do? Don’t get frustrated and throw in the towel just yet. I’ve researched 18 things you can try to get that cursor moving again.
1. Just Move
Take a walk, do an exercise video, ride a bike, water the plants, clean the house, just physically do something! Take your mind off of what you’re trying to write and get your blood moving. Exercise has been scientifically shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase cognitive ability. So, get moving and get some fresh blood to that creative brain.
2. Leave it Alone
Stop trying to work on it for now. Do you have other tasks you can do that are part of the same project? Do you have another writing assignment you can focus on? How about pitches or following up on leads? You can still use this time to work on your business, but just give this particular item a break.
3. Do Something Completely Different
Try switching gears completely. Plan your next vacation, real or imaginary. Reach out to friends or family you haven’t talked to in a while. Fix something around the house you’ve been putting off or start making gift lists for the next holiday. Look at old pictures or work on a craft. Give your brain a chance to think in a different way about something completely unrelated to your writing and business.
4. Call or Facetime a Friend
Call that person who makes you laugh! Enjoy a smile and conversation with someone you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be a long chat, just enough to break your face out of that scowl and remind your brain to be happy. Happy brains are creative brains. 😊
5. Outsource
If you’re stuck because the topic you’re trying to write about is out of your wheelhouse, try outsourcing it. Do you have other writer friends in your network? What about Facebook or LinkedIn? Don’t forget freelance websites like Upwork, Fiver, and Freelance Writer. As long as you’re paying less than you’re getting paid, you can get the meat of the piece written for you and then tweak it to make it read in your voice and style.
6. Talk it Out
Instead of typing, try speaking it out and recording it. Use your phone and walk around while you’re talking. Sometimes thoughts get stuck between our brains and our fingers. If you find yourself typing and deleting, and typing and deleting, try just talking it out. Hearing what you’re trying to say can help break the cycle of uncertainty and the writer’s block that’s holding you back.
7. Read Something Completely Different
Are you stuck trying to write a blog post for a technical website? Take a break and read a bit of fiction. Writing an article for a lifestyle magazine? Go dig into that SEO post you’ve been meaning to read. Clear the blocked thought pathway by exploring a new one for a bit.
8. Listen to Music, or Change the Station
Studies have shown that listening to music increases learning ability and cognitive process, but what about creativity? A study at UC Berkley found that listening to music, specifically, happy music increases divergent thinking which is a cornerstone of creativity. So, if you’re not listening to happy music, give it a try. Find a happy music playlist on your favorite music app and see if it helps cure your writer’s block.
9. Have a Glass of Water
I know, it seems like “have more water” is the go-to for everything from weight loss to fatigue, but studies have shown that dehydration has a negative impact on cognitive ability. For writers, in particular, attention span, grammatical reasoning, and proofreading are impaired at just a 2 percent fluid loss per body weight. So, have a glass and rehydrate yourself! Not thirsty? Don’t forget, you can be dehydrated without feeling thirsty.
10. Journal
It’s still writing, but it’s personal. If you keep a journal, add an update or an entry. Maybe there’s something that’s bothering you that’s causing your writer’s block and getting that out on paper may be your cure.
11. Breathe
Breathing deeply can help you feel less stressed, more energized, and think clearer. But, when we get stressed, we tend to breathe shallowly which increases our feelings of stress. Shallow breathing also does not provide the proper amount of oxygen our brains and bodies need to perform well. Practicing deep breathing exercises is easy, quick, inexpensive, and may have huge benefits.
Not sure how to start? Here’s Dr. Andrew Weil’s 4-7-8 Relaxing Breathing Exercise for you to try:
- Exhale completely through your mouth while making a whooshing noise
- Inhale deeply through your nose for four counts
- Hold your full breath for seven counts
- While counting to eight, exhale your breath completely through your mouth with another whooshing noise
- Repeat three more times for a total of four breaths
12. Outline Your Outline
You probably have a system or routine that you follow when preparing to write a piece. When writing a blog piece, you might format the headings as you go, H1, H2, H3, etc. If your writer’s block has set in, go back to your outline and see if you can develop it further. Maybe add some more H3 or even H4 tags in your sections. You might not use those in the actual piece, but adding more detail to your outline might jar some new words or language and might be the way to overcome your writer’s block.
13. Brain Dump
Break away from the stubborn piece you’re working on and start a brain dump, about anything. Write down words and phrases that come to mind as you think about what you’re working on, come up with ideas for future work, the things you need to do this week, anything and everything for a few minutes. You might surprise yourself and find the next sentence you’ve been looking for.
14. Google
It is highly unlikely that the piece you are writing is about a completely unique topic. Take a few minutes and see what other writers have to say about it. You might find some inspiration that cures your writer’s block and helps you finish your work.
15. Puzzle it Out
When working on puzzles, our brains go into an Alpha state, similar to dreaming. While our brains are in this state, we are less stressed, more confident and positive, and able to make deeper connections. Do a jigsaw puzzle or play games like Sudoku or Words With Friends to make your brain go a different, more productive direction.
16. Who’s Your Favorite?
As a writer, you probably have writers that you enjoy, admire, and maybe even see as mentors. Imagine reading the piece you’re stuck on as if your favorite writer is writing it. What would they say next?
17 – 18. Mediate or Take a Nap
You may meditate daily or none at all, but trying to clear your mind for a few minutes with a meditation technique that works for you may help get your writing flowing again.
Last, but not least, an afternoon nap has been shown to be beneficial to adults for a number of reasons. According to WebMD, napping or lying down and resting can help improve mood, outlook, relieve stress, and help your brain make better connections with the information you’re processing.
All of which can help cure your writer’s block so that you can finish that pesky piece and move on to other things.
Have you tried any of the above techniques? Have you tried something else that works for you? I’d love to hear about it, share below 👇 in the comments!
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