If you think that only Literature majors face writer’s block, you can’t be more wrong. Writing papers is a huge part of any student’s weekly routine.
Essays, term papers, research works, and dissertations are just the tip of the iceberg. Writing skills are a basic requirement in modern educational institutions.
But what if you get an assignment and you have no idea how or what to write? Staring at the blank screen for hours will not do you any good. In this article, we’ve prepared a small guide on how to recognize and beat the dreaded writer’s block.
Read the Warning Signs
Writer’s block only comes as a surprise to those who don’t know the early warning signs. However, if you’re equipped with the knowledge, you might notice them beforehand.
Below is a list of common early signs that you’re facing writer’s block:
- Burn out;
- Lack of focus;
- Perfectionism;
- You can’t make creative decisions.
Get Help
We all want to act like grownups, be independent and self-reliant, especially in our first years on campus. Still, everybody needs a small push forward, and it’s important to recognize that moment before it’s too late.
At times, asking help from a friend is enough. But they will not always be able to write a paper for you. When you get a big assignment, like a term paper, you cannot just ask a friend to complete it.
What you can do is turn to a reliable academic help service with write my term paper request. Professional writers will always be willing to help while you will get some free time for once.
Take a Walk
Small alterations to your daily routine can bring bigger changes in the long run. If you’ve been struggling with writing for quite a while, it’s possible that your brain has started to associate your normal study space with the lack of productivity.
This is exactly how habits develop: you sit aimlessly at your desk, trying to come up with a sentence to write, and that repeats day after day. In a while, your brain can get used to not writing when you’re in your usual location.
Changing the scenery is a very simple tip, but it can actually help you a lot. Try to find a quiet spot outside of your usual study area and start writing there.
On your way, think about some of the things you might write. If you cannot leave your house for any reason, just try a different spot. Go on a roof or even your sibling’s closet. Do whatever feels different.
Add Some Physical Activity
A little bit of physical activity is good for everyone. But for struggling writers, it’s vital. Doing exercises can help you distract from self-deprecating thoughts, change your environment (again). Running will fit best for the purpose; it will ease your head, get your blood pumping, and saturate your body with oxygen. The best part is that you don’t need any equipment to do it.
If running is not really your thing (which is totally OK, you don’t have to force yourself to do anything you don’t enjoy!), you can choose among the myriad of other kinds of physical activities. A dance class will get you energized, while an hour of yoga will help you release unwanted tension.
Freewrite
Freewriting is an exercise similar to brainstorming. It can help you develop unusual ideas, and it’s been proven useful by many researchers. In this technique, you are to outline a topic and just start writing for a set period of time. Do not let the distractions grasp your attention, and don’t worry about editing or grammar at all.
If writing is extremely hard for you, you might actually do better without outlining a topic. Just take a notebook and or your laptop, start writing, and don’t stop until you’ve written a page or two. Simply writing down your thoughts can help you overcome writer’s block and come to terms with yourself.
Develop a Routine
Routines and habits go a long way in terms of making people better at what they do. As it has already been mentioned, if your brain gets used to getting into the creative zone at, say, three o’clock every day, it will do so regardless if you’re at your desk or not. You can call it either a muse or hard work.
Set up a clear time frame for when you need to write. By that time, make sure you’ve cleaned your desk, removing all the distractions, and, on the contrary, brought all the supplies you might need in the process. This will allow you to have a smooth writing experience at the same time every day.
Meditation
Meditating and other spiritual practices are extremely useful for both body and soul. You don’t need any equipment, yet the benefits are immense! Focusing on just your breath for as little as 10 minutes per day can make you calmer and more relaxed.
Besides, meditation practice requires you to not think. That’s why after you’re done, you can feel the stream of thoughts filling your head. Meditation is a great way to boost any kind of creativity, studies argue.
Final Words
Writer’s block is an almost inevitable part of every writer’s journey. Regardless of how good you are at writing, a time comes when your mind just doesn’t seem to cooperate. Everybody’s techniques for battling writer’s block are different. Feel free to use the ones listed above, and good luck with your academic success!