Writer’s Block: What It Is and How to Move Past It
Discovering the root cause of your writer's block is the first step in getting over the hurdle.
At one point or another, writers will hit a proverbial wall and feel … stuck. Writer’s block can plague writers for a multitude of reasons. General tiredness, decision fatigue, self-doubt, lack of creativity, burnout, or lack of focus are just a few reasons writer’s block may creep up on even the most skilled writers.
If you’re experiencing writer’s block, take time to reflect on why exactly you may feel blocked. When you figure out why you’re struggling to put words on paper, it becomes a bit easier for you to solve.
What is Writer's Block?
Writer's block occurs when you are unable to express your thoughts in writing. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, fatigue, tiredness, burnout, or self-doubt.
Does Self-Doubt Lead to Writer's Block?
Self-doubt can contribute to writer's block. When you doubt yourself and your writing abilities, it's easy to get stuck and feel like you’re not good enough. Try to focus on the process of writing rather than your intended outcome. Write for yourself and remember that your first draft won’t be perfect.
How to Avoid Writer's Block
Oftentimes, writer’s block is not because you’ve run out of ideas, but more so because you haven’t taken care of yourself in some way or another. Sleep and exercise are two ways you can take care of yourself and help you avoid writer’s block. Getting quality sleep and moving your body help you remain alert and stay focused.
Another reason for writer’s block can be that you haven’t established a writing routine. If you don’t have an established routine around your writing, carve out time to writer each day around the same time. This trains your brain to be ready to write at that time every day.
Finally, be sure your writing goals are broken down into very small and attainable chunks that you are capable of reaching. Overcommitting yourself to an unmanageable goal can create unnecessary stress or internal tension and this can make it hard to write.
How to Get Past Writer's Block
If you're stuck in a writing rut, try taking a break. Take a walk, take a nap, or simply allow yourself to get bored. We take in information every minute we are awake, and sleep is the only time our brains are truly at rest. So, however you decide to take a break, do something that allows you to avoid information, such as avoiding social media, television, and music or podcasts.
Instead, try one of these activities:
Exercise
Color in a coloring book
Meditate
Take a nap
Practice deep breathing
Spend time gardening
Put together a puzzle
Make a favorite recipe
Oftentimes you just need some stillness, peace and quiet, and no new information entering your brain. This can help you relax and clear your mind. When you come back to your writing, you may find that you have a fresh perspective.
Free-writing is another technique you can try. The act of free-writing forces you to think of nothing in particular, so you can write whatever comes to mind. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write whatever comes to mind. This is also referred to as a brain dump.
Don't worry about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Just keep writing until the timer goes off. You may discover that you write a list of tasks you need to get done. You may write a grocery list. You may also find that something has been consuming your thoughts more than you realize until you put it on paper. Getting these random pieces of information down on paper can help you get past any mental blocks and create room for your creativity to flow once again.
What to Do When Writer's Block Persists
If the tips mentioned above don’t help you break through writer’s block, you may need a change of scenery. Try writing in a different location or maybe even a different type of writing. If you typically write fiction, try your hand at nonfiction. If you typically write long-form text, give short stories or poetry a try.
If you still find yourself struggling with writer's block, it may be time to seek professional help. Consider speaking with a writing coach or a therapist who can help you identify the root cause of your block and help you develop strategies to overcome it.
How to Prevent Writer's Block in the Future
To avoid writer's block in the future, take note of your triggers and create a plan to help you overcome it.
There’s no one size fits all fix for writer’s block. No matter what the root cause is of your writing block, take time to step away from your work. Allow yourself to rest, and then give yourself the freedom to examine what may have led to your block. When you fix what led to your writer’s block, you’ll find yourself writing again in no time.