This week, I was experiencing major writer’s block, and struggled with finding an interesting topic to discuss. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the term “writer’s block” can be defined as a psychological inhibition preventing a writer from proceeding with a piece. I’ve definitely had a lot on my mind with the beginning of the new year with work and my busy life, and this week it’s been especially difficult to sit down and think of something people may enjoy reading. After much thought, I decided to write about the very essence of writer’s block, in hopes to help my fellow writers at the Odyssey and students who are required to write, even when they don’t enjoy it. Here are five ways I’ve found that can help conquer your frequent inabilities to write.

1. Freewrite.

From the early stages in elementary school through college, educators have motivated their students to freewrite, which is giving a student a paper and pencil, and allowing them to write whatever is on their minds. The outcome of this can be incredible. Students often brainstorm ideas for future pieces, while some write fiction, which could even become books. Freewriting allows creative juices to flow through students’ brains, something all English teachers or writing teachers should do.

2. Listen to Music.

This usually works half the time for me, but it works extremely well for a lot of people. By listening to your style of music, sometimes this helps alter your environment, and block out the stresses of the day. Some of my teachers would often play classical pieces, which can be calming to the soul, allowing students to write with very little distractions.

3. Watch the News.

People I write with and myself are often stuck on what to write our weekly articles on. Sometimes watching the news, or even scrolling through our social media feeds can spark an idea, whether that be something serious, or something fun and quirky. What I like about writing for the Odyssey is you don’t have to always cover something concerning politics, or current events, but if there’s a Facebook page about pugs, you can write about that too. You never know what may spark an idea.

4. Read a Book or Magazine.

My third grade teacher always said that readers make better writers. And I know she’s right about that. Reading not only makes you more knowledgeable on social, political, or even environmental issues, but also helps build your growing imagination. Reading books also helped me study the writing styles of authors, and helped me form my own. There are so many benefits to simply picking up a book, and I believe this can always help someone who is experiencing writer’s block.

5. Ignore it for a little while.

I learned in my creative writing class senior year that sometimes you just have to walk away from your writing for a little while. Sometimes you need time to think, and trudging through a piece without any motivation or inspiration can be miserable. Take a step back and do anything else. Then out of the blue, you’ll have a moment with a big idea that’ll help you finish that piece, and in the end be more satisfied with it.

Hopefully these five tricks can help you the next time you have to write a paper or article, because writing is fun and can be even more fun when you have the inspiration to do it.