Here are a few little tricks can you do to overcome writer’s block. First of all, don’t freak out. Try these techniques instead. With the 3-Day Novel Contest only days away, these are the “Do’s” and “Don’ts” I will be utilizing when caught in a block.

Do’s

• Run the stairs of your home or apartment.
• Eat a healthy snack or meal. Nothing too heavy. Fruit and veggies are great for snacks.
• Look out the window and let your mind wander. Watch cars go by, day dream about the shape of clouds.  Breath deeply and allow yourself to simply be for a moment.
• Draw a picture or doodle.
• Shift mental gears by doing something (besides typing) with your hands. For me, this would be work on my wood sculpture for 10 minutes. For others, this could be laundry, taking out the garbage, vacuuming a room, peeling potatoes for dinner.
• Do a word search.
• Lay on the floor and stair up at the ceiling while calming yourself.
• Go outside and take a few deep breaths of fresh air.
• Take a short nap.
• Go for a brisk walk or run – a sprint even.
• Take a cold shower (not just reserved for hormone filled teenage boys!).
• Change your clothes; get out of your pyjamas and into clothes that gear you up for work.
• Drink a whole glass of water.
• Stretch out your muscles (yes, I would suggest getting out of your desk chair to do this).
• Set the mood of your writing area: lighting, music, a photo on your desk of your favourite vacation spot (your happy place), and a scented candle.
• Get away from your computer. Leave your office. Change scenery for a brief period of time.

Don’t

• Answer the phone if you are in the middle of a thought. Better yet, turn the ringer off. That’s what answering machines are for.
• Update social media.
• Check and respond to e-mail.
• Watch TV (It could turn into a longer break than you had anticipated).
• Eat junk food. Avoid artificial sugars and salts.
• Give in to negative self-talk.

I will very likely refer back to this list myself in the heat of the moment as I participate in the 3-Day Novel Contest while battling the block. If I come up with any more ideas I will be sure to post again.

Do you know any good techniques you’d like to add?

When trying to overcome writer’s block, the most important point of both the “Do’s” and “Don’ts” is to not give in to negative self talk. It truly is in the fragile ground of our mind where the batter over blockages is either won or lost. Maybe you do not even recognize your negative thoughts. They are subtle for sure.

Be attentive and listen to the messages you tell yourself. If you are genuinely a self-nurturing and self-encouraging person – good for you! If not and you start to realize the words you use that defeat your own mojo, come back to Artist Reborn tomorrow. I will be posting an uplifting list of positive affirmations for writers.