5 Tips To Work Through Your Writer's Block | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

5 Tips To Work Through Your Writer's Block

I have writer's block, but managed to put this article together.

29
5 Tips To Work Through Your Writer's Block

Writing this has proven to be very difficult. As my fingers glide across the keyboard, I'm hoping - practically praying - that anything will spark inspiration and help me meet my twelve o'clock deadline. You see, I'm a procrastinator, as I'm sure most college students are, and I tend to leave these little articles until the very last moment when it's time to force myself to sit down, be creative, be funny, or be honest. But today, that's just not happening.

As hard as I try, I cannot bring myself to write something that doesn't feel used, overdone, or unimportant. That's the thing about writer's block: it's not merely having zero ideas about what to write, but rather a number of other doubts and worries that cross your mind. No one will like this. I have too much to say on this topic. I don't have enough to say on this topic. I'm not informed enough to give my opinion on these events.

In an attempt to break through this writer's block - and as a way to help all of you with any upcoming papers or exams - I've come across a few ways to solve this problem.

1. Eliminate distractions.

Your first step is to try and eliminate any and all distractions. This includes cell phones, iPads, books, TV, other people. SelfControl is a free Mac application that will let you block certain websites for up to 24 hours when you're trying to be productive, and Freedom is a similar application that goes a little bit further by blocking the internet from your device, altogether.

2. Don't work on an empty stomach.

As I sit here writing this, I can actually feel my stomach yelling at me to eat something. All I can focus on right now is how hungry I am, which isn't the best way to be working on a paper/project. Eating a healthy meal or snack before sitting down to work will help maintain your focus and keep you energized.

3. Listen to music...or don't.

Essentially, find what works best for you. Try listening to different playlists or different genres than you normally would to gain inspiration from a new place. Sometimes a change in perspective on something can happen through music.

4. Move around.

Personally, staying in one place for too long makes me antsy. Change locations, move rooms, go for a walk. Sometimes working in a new area or moving around will clear your mind and help you start fresh.

5. Take a break.

Take a real break. Don't use this time to get back on social media. Step away from your work for a moment, and try doing something else: make your bed, read a book, knit a blanket. Do something to shift your focus away from your writing to clear your mind without being distracted.

Good luck in all your writing endeavors! Now, time to go work through this writer's block.

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

8 Cringey College Tinder Stories

. Cringey Tinder stories from some Tinder girls

990
a man and a woman sitting at a table
Photo by Good Faces on Unsplash

Toilet Troubles

"So, usually I would never go on a Tinder date but when you are out with girlfriends and a hot Bosnian guy says he wants to hang with you and his friends, you oblige. We head to their apartment and when I realized I may pee my pants if I don't find a bathroom soon. I ask for the bathroom and a friend of my tinder date shows me to it and said in all seriousness that I was not allowed to flush the toilet under ANY circumstances. Having a few drinks--or five--I relieved myself to, nevertheless, flush the toilet. Within seconds, his bathroom was flooded and towels were laid out everywhere to catch the toilet water. To say the least, we were not invited back"

Keep Reading...Show less
Girl with a Guy Bestfriend
vignette3

I can confidently say that about 90 percent of all the friends I have are male. It's just always been that way since I was a kid. Over the years, I've heard a lot of things and I've learned a lot of things, and here it all is. Enjoy!

If you're a girl with a guy best friend you know that...

Keep Reading...Show less
Greek Life
Clare Concannon

With being a member of Greek life, you are going to come across people who HATE Greek life and who always want to say something negative towards it. If you're not a part of Greek life, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But maybe try and keep some of the not-so-nice comments to yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less
retail
Chor Ip / Flickr

I'm sure, like me, many of you received lots of gift cards over the holidays. After working retail seasonally, here are a few tips that I learned in order to make the employees at your favorite store just a little happier and not want to charge you extra on your purchase for being awful. Here are some times when you should be nicer to retail workers than you actually are!

Keep Reading...Show less
5 Untold Struggles Of The Short Friend

I'm the Short Friend. I've been the Short Friend since about the seventh grade. I'm the one who stands in the front of the photos, gets made fun of for their height, and still shops in the kids department.

This article is not for the Almost Short Friends, i.e. the 5'3" and 5'4" Friends. No no, this is for the Actually Short Friends, i.e. the Barely Scraping 5'1" and shorter Short Friends.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments