How to overcome a writer's block

From poets to writers (I'm thinking maybe even singers), all of them get a writer's block at one point in life. If you are a struggling writer/poet/singer you may think there's no way out of a writer's block when it hits you. The good part is: YOU ARE WRONG! I personally believe every writer had a writer's block at one point in their career. I've been through it a couple of times but I eventually found the inspiration and moved on. Now I'm going to share my tips with you guys, hoping they'll help you get out of the damned writer's block (no matter how cpic it sounds...it sucks!). To begin with, how do you know you have a writer's block?

You know you have a writer's block when: 

1. There's a blank new document on your screen OR there's a blank piece of paper and a pen waiting for you on the desk
2. You feel worthless
3. You think about the same thing over and over again and it doesn't get you anywhere
4. You get angry because of the above
5. You feel worthless, you even consider you might not have a writer's block - you just lack talent 
6. You keep on writing lines and then deleting them
7. Those phrases become incomprehensible
8. You feel anxious/stressed
9. You think about this failure to write 24/7
10. You even begged your friends to just 'shoot' you

Now here's some tips on how to overcome it. They worked for me, I hope they'll be helpful for you as well:

• Feel proud of your writer's block

After all, you are a writer, and I bet all great writer's got a writer's block at least once in their lifetime. A writer's block doesn't make you a bad writer, it just reminds you that you are a writer...most certainly a good one as well. Maybe you'll be famous one day and you'll have this writer's block to talk about. Maybe this one really changed your perspective of your book/poem... you never know (it would also be nice to mention me when they ask you how you overcame your writer's block. But only if you found my advices helpful xD ) 

• Take a break

Maybe your mind really needs a break...so just take a break. After all, your mind is the master, the source of inspiration and sometimes it just need a well deserved break. Take a break, get your mind off the book/poem/song/blog/anything you might be working on. Try to not think about for a least a day or two. Consider it a well deserved vacation. Speaking of which...

• Try taking a vacation

And if you can't take a long one, just take a "picnic vacation". Get out of your house and roam the streets, go have a nice picnic with a friend or two, ride your bike a while or just go somewhere in nature and admire the miracle of life. That'll surely relax you.

• Meditate

Meditation helps you clear your mind, which in case of a writer's block is tangled with so many thoughts. You may find meditation quite effective, and at least you should give it a try. Life is too short not to try new things! 

• Listen to music

Try to listen to music that has no lyrics to it so those won't be a distraction. You should go for some jazz, classical, lounge or chill out music. I remember I found this song one day on youtube and loved it instantly. I let it play smoothly along with other songs like this one in the background when I'm writing. This really helps me relax my brain.

• Start writing something else

If it's a certain chapter of your book or a certain part of the poem you can't get to sound the way you want to, leave it like that and focus on other parts. Maybe you have a good idea about your book's ending. Write the ending to the book in that case, it'll put your brain to work and most likely you'll get back into the creative state you're usually in.

• Just write

Whatever pops inside your brain. Even if it's stupid things that don't make sense. Just start writing, the first sentence will be the hardest but hopefully the second one will become easier and eventually you'll be back on the track

• Get a coffee 
  

Or a tea, depending on what you prefer. You can even take a glass a wine. That thing will boost up your morale and will do some sort of magic for you, because most of the time, tea or coffee works miracles for me...and I can't explain it. They say the caffeine stirs your mind, if that's the case... stir me coffee, aaaaw yeah! 

• Watch some comedy

They say you should try reading or listening to something you usually are not interested in. It may bring out some ideas. I say, it's annoying! Watching stand up comedy however works best, it helps me laugh and relax and it gives me way more ideas. I guess it's up to you to figure out what helps you most.

• Inspire yourself from your dreams

I do that sometimes. I just happen to have some great, inspiring dreams sometimes and it would be such a pity not to add some creativity (mostly fiction) to them and use them. After all, they do come from my brain as well.

• Always keep a notebook with you 

Because you never know when inspiration strikes. You may be riding a train and get an idea, what do you do then? You tell yourself the biggest lie "Aw, I'll remember this one" And at the end of the day you remember "Heeey! I had a really good idea today. What was it again?" Just keep a small notebook and a pen always around and write it down the moment you think of it. Even if you'll remember it later, you won't remember it exactly the way it was.

• Eat healthy

After all, you are what you eat. I don't know if you know, but what you eat influences your mood, your immune system, aches and pains. Even  your sleep and focus are influenced by what you eat. So make sure you eat more veggies and fruit. Now, I'm not saying go vegan or anything, just try to balance the amount of meat and fries you eat with healthier food like veggies and fruits. And stay away from sugar! 

• Ask for some advices
  

You can ask some of your closest friends what they think about what you wrote and what do they think should happen next(in case of a book), or what would sound good(in case of poetry). Just make sure you ask someone you can count on. 

Wishing you the best,
Rachel