Unconventional Ways of Overcoming Writer's Block

Other than the obvious "write every day" spiel, along with getting out in nature and going for a walk—I've discovered some of my own habits that have greatly helped in coming up with ideas in my little writer's head. Over the past six months especially, I've noticed a drastic change in my creativity in the best way; new ideas flood my brain every day, I'm more apt to write even when I'm fatigued, and I'm more motivated and upbeat than I've been in the last two years. I hope these methods can help any other writers or fellow creatives out there to generate new ideas for self-expression.

For one, taking acting classes has been a monumental aid in getting my creativity in alignment with my imagination. From reading scripts; doing improv; watching my classmates perform; vocal warm-ups—all of it has greatly improved my ability to think outside of myself and into the act of creating. These classes present me with new ideas, thoughts, practices, circumstances, and challenges each and every week—which help me see past my own day-to-day grind and into something that makes me feel connected. If you've never taken an acting class, and you're a creative like me, I highly recommend taking at least one. You'd be surprised how much you learn about yourself, along with hidden talents and ideas that lie just beneath the surface of your imagination.

I've been a nanny for two years now as I figure out my career path, and let me tell you—playing with kids is a major imagination-booster. From pretending to be the captain of a submarine to being a princess with a pet lion tiger, you're always presented with fanciful and ridiculous situations that get your cogs spinning. Every day that I play with either my little sisters or the two kids that I nanny, I'm always delved into the world of play. Akin to acting, simply playing can put you into a whole other world where anything and everything is possible—like flying from planet to planet in order to find the right engine for your speed rocket. I'm always so inspired by kids' imaginations, and we should all take notes from their limitless ideas.

Last but not least is learning a new language. Getting your mind to branch out into a new way of communicating and understanding is an incredible way to get your ideas firing. Now that I speak at a high level of French, I can easily switch from expressing an idea from English to French at the drop of a hat—thereby lifting limits from my communication skills and delivery. I understand the French way of thought, and this collective mindset creates even newer ways of expressing and forming ideas. With any language you learn, you'll see how the mere sentence structure and idioms inform you of the culture and lifestyle. This will in turn help you see the world from a new perspective, and set your perspectives even wider when it comes to writing and creating.

It's important to keep your body active with simple walks as well as the act of typing and stretching between long batches of writing—but also remember to exercise your mind in ways you're unaccustomed to.