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30 Things To Do When You Have Writer's Block

We've all avoided responsibilities and dreaded the task of writing.

Stephanie Ginzburg

Oct 10, 2016

Hunter College

30 Things To Do When You Have Writer's Block

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My fellow Odyssey writers, and myself included, from time to time (if not every day) experience writer's block. It is difficult to overcome and we often find ourselves doing other things instead of writing. With that being said, here are thirty things to do when you have writer's block, in no particular order.

1. Watch a rom-com and cry

2. Binge-watch shows you've been pushing off for weeks, if not months

3. Go on a liking spree on Instagram

4. Cyber-stalk your ex

5. Go on a risky scrolling spree of hot Instagram models

6. Watch a horror movie and pee your pants

7. Take a long shower

8. Give yourself a shitty manicure

9. Attempt to follow a YouTube make-up tutorial and fail miserably

10. Watch a 'Try Not To Laugh' compilation

11. Go online shopping

12. Go on a walk down memory lane and relive your regrets

13. Go for a run

14. Do a personal photo-shoot

15. Make a super healthy smoothie

16. Bake a cake

17. Play Green Day's new album on repeat

18. Play Spotify's '80s Hits Playlist on full volume and dance the night away

19. Attempt to do yoga

20. Organize the mess you've been avoiding in your closet

21. Reread one of your favorite books from childhood

22. Play some video games and forget that you own a clock

23. Take an online math test and realize you are not smarter than a fifth grader

24. Teach a family member how to properly use the remote

25. Organize your desk and discover long lost unnecessary trinkets

26. Evaluate your entire existence on this earth and question your purpose

27. Uncover a hidden talent that will prove to be useless

28. Have a philosophical conversation with your dog

29. Watch a “Sex and the City” marathon with a glass of wine and a bowl of popcorn

30. Rediscover your social life and have a 3 hour Skype/Facetime call with an old friend

I’ve done some of these and I’m sure you have too. Don’t worry, you can admit it. We’re all guilty. We’ve all avoided responsibilities and dreaded the task of writing. We’ve found ways to deal with our emotions in unproductive or at least somewhat productive ways. As writers, writer’s block is inevitable; you cannot escape it. It creeps up on you in the worst of times, especially when you have deadlines. But hey- if doing any of the things in this list helps you get inspired, go do it! Writer’s block eventually goes away and that is precisely how I ended up with this piece. So to everyone experiencing writer’s block, I wish you all the best of luck!

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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30 Things To Do When You Have Writer's Block

We've all avoided responsibilities and dreaded the task of writing.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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