5 Tips to Jumpstart Your Writing
Effective methods to knockout writers block, and help you become a more confident creator.
1.Utilize writing prompts. Prompts are one of my favorite exercises, especially in moments when I feel my creativity is drained. It’s like a workout for your brain, and frankly, we all need it. A great site for prompts is reedsyprompts. Some writers will you tell you that prompts are ridiculous, but don’t listen to them. Writing is a skill that needs to be maintained. Prompts help keep our features fresh and interesting by driving the direction of a piece and centering our attention.
2. Get up, and get moving. And no, I do not mean for this to sound like Kim Kardashian (reality check, anyone?). What I mean is try to hit the ground running in the morning by switching up your routine. Swap out your warm/hot shower for a cooler one, or start with a glass of hot water and lemon. Studies have shown that lemon acts as an energizer to our lymphatic system, providing us with the necessary fuel needed to tackle our days and keep us hydrated. These small changes can actually jolt our awareness and assist us in being more present mentally throughout the day.
Admittedly, this is the hardest part for me. While traditionally I’ve been an “early riser”, becoming a stay at home parent has shifted my internal clock completely. My day revolves around my child, and therefore, my ability to set a definite schedule remains vulnerable to her needs. However, I still try, at least, to have some bit of structure in my day. The aforementioned tips have helped me tremendously- and they might be able to help you as well.
3. Limit the distractions. Step away from the phone, dude. Seriously. Social media can sometimes be too tempting, so my biggest piece of advice for new (and established) writers is to turn off your electronics (phone, tablet, tv, etc.), and log out of your iMessage accounts on your laptop. The goal is dedicate yourself fully to the article/story at hand.
Trust me, you’re not missing out on anything.
4. BE a boss. Part of wanting to work for yourself is learning how to be your own boss. So do it. Be a boss. Set schedules, give yourself deadlines, and don’t be afraid to give yourself some tough love if you find that you’re not meeting your goals.
I bought a desktop calendar and started filling it in EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Taking the time to write down my intentions, and foresee my day helped me manifest positive change. I prefer the old school method of pen and paper…but I get how most people prefer a keyboard. Whatever your preference, make sure to stick with it and avoid allowing yourself too many excuses.
5. Keep going. You may be rolling your eyes at this, but I’ll be completely honest with you- believing in yourself isn’t just half the battle- it’s the whole damn thing. You’re going to encounter nay sayers, doubters, and closed doors. Sometimes, you’re going to hear “no” more than you hear “yes”. But as long as you hold firm to why you started this journey in the first place, you’re going to be ok.
I know you can do this.
Keep going.
