A Case of Writer’s Block
[dropcaps]T[/dropcaps]here you are staring at a blank screen. The cursor is blinking waiting for you to type something, anything! And nothing happens. Your brain has hit the brakes blocking your creativity. And you have a case of writer’s block.
Everyone gets writer’s block and it sucks. You have all these ideas to get out of your head and you can’t. Then you feel hopeless and frustrated. It’s a mean thing for the brain to do to a creative.
And if you are reading this, you may be looking for a cure for your writer’s block. If this is the case, here are some tips to consider:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9lsSFmQz44
1. Don’t try too hard. The creative mind doesn’t like the pressure. Teresa Amabile wrote in the Harvard Business Review about creatives getting “pressure hangover.” This happens when we put to much pressure on ourselves, killing our creative juices for a few days. The more you push, the more resistant the brain will be.
2. Don’t feel helpless. Feeling helpless is the opposite of what you want. Tell yourself that you can help yourself get out of this writer’s funk and that it is only temporary.
3. Take a break. Do something else, anything else, and come back to your writing later. This is not a pass for you to quit for the day. Sometimes, the mind wants a change of scenery and then you can get back on track.
4. Go meditate. If you have lots of mental traffic, take time to find a quiet space and reflect on your thoughts for a few minutes. Meditation helps to increase focus, clarity, and creativity.
5. Get inspiration. Read a book, watch a movie, or search online for things that will inspire you to continue writing. It takes one spark to get the creative juices rolling.
6. Start writing. Write anything that comes to your mind. This might be a good time to journal about your day. Or you can pick up a book and read the first sentence you see and write about that.
7. Do something creative. Try some other creative activities to get the right side of the brain flowing. It could help you get your creative mojo back.
Remember to be kind to yourself. Chill out, creativity works better when it is nurtured and wooed. Stress, fatigue, boredom, and anything that distracts you can block the creative mind. Give yourself plenty of breaks and don’t give up. Greatness takes time, so don’t rush creativity.
What tips to do you have to writer’s block?
Write them in the comments below.
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