Writing slumps are the worst! There are numerous different causes for them, and once you’re in one it can be difficult to dig yourself out. If you find yourself paralyzed by fear, perfectionism, self-criticism, frustration, a lack of ideas, or even too many competing ideas, don’t feel bad; it happens to the best of us. Instead of staring at that blinking cursor or blank page any longer, give yourself the chance to try some of these solutions. Here are 15 ways guaranteed to help you out of a writing slump, whether you’re starting a new project or stuck in the middle of one.
1. Read a Book
Books are great inspiration! An important part of the writing process is reading. A good book can help you take a break from your own work and get lost in someone else’s. Reading a book in the genre you want to write in could help you hone your creative vision. You might admire something the author did so much that you adapt it to your own work. If the book ends up being terrible, it’ll help you remember how much better of a writer you are!
2. Watch a Movie
Movies are texts, too! Watching a movie can be both distracting and inspiring at the same time. A good movie might inspire you to take some of its elements and include them in your own work.
3. Clean up or Rearrange your Workspace
If your workspace is cluttered, maybe it’s time to clean it. That physical clutter might be causing a creative clutter in your mind. Cleaning and rearranging are good ways to channel some of your frustrated energy into visible positive effects that will make you more comfortable when writing.
4. Take a Walk
Fresh air is never a bad idea. If you’ve been sitting and staring at the same screen or paper for hours, you might need some physical activity. Taking a walk gives you the opportunity to get away from your writing and clear your mind. Physical activity releases brain chemicals that help boost your mood. If you’ve been feeling stressed about writing, exercise can help relieve it. Once you sit back down to write, you’ll feel refreshed and more positive about it!
5. Go to the Beach
For people with beach access, an opportunity for sun and sand is a perfect getaway from writing—and it can inspire, too! The beach is another proven method of improving your mental health. If you’re in an anxious headspace, the beach is a great way to relax and is a nice change of scenery. I personally find the beach to be a very inspirational place. All the sights and sounds, from the crystal blue waters to the waves crashing to even the seagulls squawking, always give me great ideas for my writing.
6. Go to a Café
Another good change of scenery might be going to write at a café. Changing your environment can give you a fresh start and help you develop a better attitude when writing. Cafés like Starbucks are super popular places to do all kinds of writing, whether it be academic or personal. You can almost always spot someone typing away, coffee in hand. Cafés capture a perfect combination of chill yet productive vibes, which is what makes them such great environments to write in.
7. Write at a Different Time of Day
Experiment with writing at a different time of day. Maybe writing late at night isn’t working for you as well as you thought and writing in the morning, when you have more energy, would allow you to be more productive. Alternatively, if you usually write in the morning but find yourself energetic at night, try writing later and see what results.
8. Listen to Music
Some writers need music to get into the writing mood. Listening to certain genres may inspire and energize you to write. For myself, I get distracted by music with lyrics, so I stick to classical instrumentals. They really help me focus and tune everything else out so I can write. Try different kinds of music to see which ones boost your creative energies. A good starting place is lo-fi; you can find hours-long playlists of lo-fi beats to study or write to across all music streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.
9. Look at Your Previous Work for Inspiration
If you keep a journal of ideas you’ve jotted down, that might be a good place to start. Skimming over your previous thoughts can help inspire some new ones. If you don’t have a journal, return to anything you might have written before. You might want to expand on something you’ve already written, or maybe looking at your past work will help you realize what direction you want to go in now.
10. Talk to a Friend
Friends can help you brainstorm new ideas. A different perspective helps you approach your project with fresh eyes.
11. Schedule Writing Time Every Day
A reliable writing schedule can boost productivity. Writing every day means you’re getting something down on paper. Even if it’s only a few words, that’s progress! If it’s terrible, you can always go back and revise it later. Who knows, you may be inspired by what you write.
12. Look at Writing Prompts
Writing prompts were made to solve writing slumps! Responding to a prompt is an effective way to write about anything. Prompts help you get words onto paper—the most crucial step in the writing process. You can find writing prompts on a variety of topics anywhere online. Here’s a list of prompts updated weekly with live contests: Reedsy Creative Writing Prompts
13. Reenergize with Food and Water
Is your stomach growling? Does your throat feel dry? Maybe you need to take care of yourself before you write. Writing on an empty stomach is never a good idea. You need some food and water to boost your brain’s creative power!
14. Take a Shower or Bath
Taking a shower or bath is an easy way to refresh. Warm showers are a simple method of relaxation yet also leave you energized afterward. Showers are scientifically proven to be perfect environments for boosting creative energy. Lots of people get their best ideas in the shower. I’ll admit, I’m one of those people.
15. Sleep on it
Sometimes you just need a solid break. There’s no better break than sleeping. If you’re really stuck in a writing slump, it might be a good idea to turn your brain off and allow it to rest. Then, once you wake up in the morning, you can get a fresh start with a well-rested mind. It may take a few nights of sleep before you can write again, and that’s okay.
Hopefully these tips have helped you out of your writing slump. Feel free to share your own tips down below. Happy writing!
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