College Essay Writer’s Block: What’s Really Happening and How to Fix It

Short answer: You’re in editing mode before you’ve created anything to edit.

Longer answer: We write. We evaluate. We write. We judge. In reality, we do that in what feels like a 50-50 ratio. In reality, we’re being 10% creative and 90% judgmental.

That leads to Blinking Cursor Syndrome and Backspace Backspace Backspace Syndrome.

The key to preventing writer’s block is to allow yourself to create 100% with zero judgment. Then, when you’re done, judge the heck out of it. Rinse and repeat until perfect.

Fun fact: This really works — if you’re disciplined enough to quiet the judgmental side for the first half.