You’re sitting there, staring at the blank word document before you, saying to yourself, “Where am I even going to start?” or “What am I going to write about?” Everyone has experienced this dilemma and no one wants to undergo this terrible feeling called “writer’s block.”

Writer’s block is defined as ‘the condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing.’ A common problem amongst all writers and it happens more often than not. You could be writing a book, an essay or even recording a journal. Truth is no one can run from writer’s block, it happens to everyone. But there are ways to prevent this uncreative hole you’ve got stuck in.

Here are 5 tips to help you prevent ‘Writer’s Block’:

1. Free write: Before you begin to write your composition just brainstorm ideas you have and write them down. If you are distracted by certain feelings or worried about something just get it out on paper. It is better to free yourself from all the stress before you write. This will give you a clear mind when going into your writing process. A thought that you write down might spark an idea in your head to write about.
2. Eliminate all distractions: Get rid of your phone, IPad, music, the internet and basically anything that you know will divert your attention from your writing. It is better to sit in a space you feel comfortable in and be surrounded by no distractions.
3. Write before you sleep: Yes, it might sound weird, but it works. Right as you close your eyes your brain is good to problem solve. If you are stuck on the subject of what you’re going to write about or how you should continue your story, usually you’ll be lucky enough to wake up with an idea.
4. Take a break: When you have writer’s block generally you’re sitting there for a long period of time contemplating your composition. Take a break, go eat something, read a book or watch TV. Warning: do not procrastinate though, you know this writing must be done, so don’t put it off. It is also really smart to create deadlines in order to finish it.
5. Write about something you enjoy: If you are passionate about something and want to write about it, that is the best idea. Writing about things you love and are interested can help you be more creative. Writing about a subject you know much about can benefit you. Bruce Springsteen, an amazing and creative songwriter once said, “You write about what you love and you write about things you’re trying to make sense of.”