10 things you can accomplish while avoiding writing

While I mostly agree that writer’s block is a myth—a claim put forth by many authors throughout the years—there are certainly days when it comes easier than others.

Even though I may not officially have fallen to the fabled affliction, sometimes things just don’t work the way you want them to. Some days you need to step away, do something non-writing related, and let your subconscious take control for a little while. The hope is that by the time you sit down next, the problems will have sorted themselves out.

And so, here’s a list of things you can accomplish when you’re avoiding sitting down and staring at a blank page:

1. Wash all the dishes you can find. Bonus points for cleaning the sink after too.

2. Clean the stove. I mean, it has to get done sometime, right?

3. Binge watch a stupid TV show you would never otherwise watch.

4. Binge listen to a podcast or audiobook you’ve fallen behind on.

5. Take an extra long shower, complete with a face mask and exfoliation.

6. Clean out your closet.

7. Bake cookies or a cake or bread or really anything that’s bad for you and delicious.

8. Read a book or a short story in the magazine.

9. Take a nap. An oldie, but a goody.

10. Begrudgingly sit down at the computer and try to write, somehow ending up on Twitter or Instagram for three hours.

What do you do to procrastinate? I'd love to hear how you're keeping busy doing what you're not supposed to be doing!