15 Ways to Combat Writer’s Block
Writing purely for entertainment and creativity has never particularly been my strong suit. Even in high school I would struggle whenever we were given a creative writing assignment and would very often encounter the demon known as “writer’s block”. After a few years of intense training, I have compiled a list of techniques to help those of you who need help overcoming writer’s block and opening the floodgates of creativity.
1. Go for a walk
Walking is like the multipurpose tool of exercise. It doesn’t cost money, it’s one of the best forms of exercise, and it’s a great way to clear your head. Whenever you feel like you are stuck in a huge ditch, I completely recommend taking a long walk.
2. Do some cleaning
Cleaning is another way to clear your mind of unnecessary clutter and get focused. Plus, you are being productive at the same time.
3. Drink some tea, especially green tea
Drinking tea can provide a useful energy boost for those long nights when you need to write. Plus, green tea has a lot of great health benefits which are useful even outside of writing.
4. Work on some other homework
Sometimes, taking a step back from your creative writing to focus on other assignments can give your mind a good rest and help you generate new ideas. Plus, your other homework assignments won’t do themselves and failing other assignments to complete one is not a very wise decision.
5. Call your parents
As you get older, you begin to realize that your parents are valuable sources of insight and wisdom. If you ever feel stuck on an idea, call them and they may provide you with a good direction on where to take your writing topic. Plus, they probably really enjoy your calls.
6. Take a nap
Sleep is extremely important for overall health. As an added benefit, taking a nap can help to clear your mind and give you a good energy boost to figure out what direction to take your writing.
7. Watch Netflix
Everyone knows that Netflix is a great motivator to get work done. Watch some episodes of the X-Files to get those creative juices going and pretty soon your paper on the importance of alien abductions will be complete.
8. Play a horror game in the dark
Video game “jumpscares” can give you a good adrenaline rush. Use this energy to focus on your writing topic and generate some new ideas.
9. For the musically inclined, write a song
Of course song writing takes a great deal of creativity. This same creativity could be used to generate ideas in writing. Eventually you can start selling your music and generate enough money to pay someone else to write for you.
10. Meditate
Meditation allows you to focus within yourself and gain perspective on how you are truly feeling. For example, while meditating, you may realize that you abhor the color blue and that may somehow be relevant to you writing topic.
11. Meditate on poor life choices
Even more useful than meditation alone, focusing on poor life choices can fill you with enough horror and self-loathing to give you the energy to vault over your writer’s block. Plus, remembering that time you showed up to a final exam sleep deprived and still slightly inebriated may give you an interesting story to write about.
12. Saran wrap all of your roommates things
At best, they only hate you for as long as it takes to unwrap everything. At worst, they kick you out. Either way, the experience should give you some type creative insight.
13. Spontaneously travel
Travelling is a great way to get inspired. Buy a plane ticket to any random country and just go. If you are very adamant against writing, don’t even bother returning home. Just run away from all of your adult responsibilities.
14. Cook dinner
Food is energy, and energy is life, and you obviously need to be alive if you hope to accomplish your writing assignment.
15. Cook meth
Walter White did it and so can you. Build a colossal empire and write about it. Disclaimer: Do not actually cook meth.
Creative writing can be quite difficult, especially when you encounter writer’s block. I hope all of these tricks can be of some benefit to you. Happy writing!
