Learning how to overcome writer’s block is important to everyone. Whether you’re a fitness brand, a blogger, or just a student, you will have to write a form of copy at some point. And because of this, many of you probably have already encountered writer’s block. It’s inevitable and happens to us all - from writing email copy, captions on social media, blog posts, or essays. You feel as if you don’t have a creative bone left in your body, you’re unsure what to write about next, and you’ll get the feeling of giving up. Since many struggle with this, let’s go over some potential causes first before the solutions.
Causes of Writer’s Block
There are many causes of writer’s block, for every person is different. Here are a few of the most common ones though.
Timing
It could simply not be the right time to write. Your ideas may need to stew a little longer before writing them down. On the other hand, you may realize that you’re a more active writer in the morning, or perhaps late at night. So be mindful of timing.
Fear
Many writers struggle with being afraid. They have a fear of putting their ideas and themselves out there for everyone to see and critique. Fear is actually a major reason some writers never become writers, so don’t fall into this!
Perfectionism
This is something else we struggle with. We want everything to be just right before putting our pen to paper or even touching a keyboard. You will try to get it perfect in your head, then you will never actually begin writing!
How To Overcome Writer’s Block
I like to say that writing is an art, not a science. Therefore there’s not one, proven way to cure this. However, there are a few things you can try to get you back on track with writing.
Get Moving
Movement is critical when you’re trying to overcome writer’s block. You need to generate momentum to get out of your funk. When your blood is flowing, your mind is flowing, which will bring you the creativity and ideas you need. This can be anywhere from running or walking, completing a simple workout, or slow movements such as yoga. As soon as something comes to mind though, be sure to write it down so you don’t forget it.
Eliminate Distractions
Writing requires a lot of concentration and focus, so you need to get in the right mindset. To do this, you must eliminate all outside distractions. Solely put your undivided attention into the task at hand. Don’t be on your phone talking, texting, scrolling through social media, etc. Put yourself in a quiet and comfortable location with limited background noise and limited people. You may even have to change your environment frequently to have new ideas flow in.
Listen To Classical Music
Studies show that listening to classical music can actually improve brain function with memory and concentration. Many people use this as a studying trick to retain information for a test or presentation. Give this a try next time, or spruce it up with jazz to mix it up. I personally listen to any type of music with headphones on when I write, and it definitely does help my focus and thoughts!
Start Freewriting
As mentioned before, a major cause of writer’s blog is perfectionism. However, to overcome it, you just have to allow your thoughts to flow on paper. Start a draft with some rough phrases, brainstorm ideas with bullet points, just get some form of writing down. It’s not permanent until you publish it, so you can always go back to it at a later time for adjustments. I promise the right wording will come to you in time while you keep writing and reading what you wrote.
Step Away
We all can’t sit there for hours on end writing flawlessly. It’s okay to take a break and step away from what you’re working on and come back later. Nonetheless, make sure you are doing this properly. If you’re feeling writer’s block coming on, then do NOT end your sentence. You’re basically ending the thought process of your brain, and it’ll be close to impossible to start back up with writing again. Therefore you should leave mid-sentence, and get your thoughts flowing again when you return.
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-Gina
