Because when you get busy, you get better:

• Take a walk, a swim, a bike ride, or otherwise stimulate your endorphins. Endorphins make you feel good!
• Read something unfamiliar to create new neural pathways in your brain.
• Get to know your work, and voice, by rereading favorite works by you — objectively. Take notes.
• Paint a picture. Plenty of studies support that learning to paint improves writing.
• Make a list. Doesn’t matter what kind, it will engage, and quiet, your inner editor.
• Iron clothes, mindfully. It helps with focus (and you’ll look extra sharp for that next dress-well affair). Alternately, do a jigsaw puzzle.
• Talk with a writer or artist friend. They know what you’re going through.
• Get negative. Imagine all possible negative outcomes of your not writing, now or forever. See, things aren’t that bad!
• Watch a favorite movie and take notes on plot, characterization, dialog, setting, etc.
• Listen to a favorite podcast, preferably one involving writers (think interviews, readings, craft discussions). One of my favorites is On Being. Krista Tippet frequently interviews poets and writers.

WRITE ON!

Like writing prompts? Check out Fast Friday Poetry Prompts