I wrote this poem during my first year of university. I had a 2000-word essay due the next day and no matter what I did, nothing would come to mind except those words. I paced my room in a panic feeling that I had failed everyone before I had even started. I did what many a student has done; I called my mother and broke down in tears expressing my irrevocable desire to drop out and move back home.

Thankfully my mother in her usual charming way stopped me saying, “your father and I didn’t bust our butts for 18 years and save up all that money just for you to drop out two months in.” With no other option, I went back to it and through tears, panic, and a cold sweat, I finished the essay and I even got an A on the darn thing.

Despite my success, it did nothing to boost my confidence. This pattern of panic when confronted with a blank page as I begin a new writing task, continues to this day. Even as I work on this article, I feel butterflies dancing in my stomach and those same nagging doubts swimming around in my head; this is going to be terrible, no one is going to read this, why do you think people will care what you have to say?

It was after I joined a writing class that I discovered I wasn’t the complete freak I thought I was. During one particular class, a student confided that she experienced something akin to a nervous breakdown whenever she started a new writing project. I swear I nearly flew out of my seat with excitement exclaiming that happened to me. Others began sharing and before I knew it, I had a name for what had plagued me for years — writer’s anxiety.

Hearing other writers recount their own experiences calmed me, reassured me, and even opened my eyes to the reality that anxiety was actually a natural part of the creative process. I could even see that a little anxiety can be helpful because it reaffirms how much writing means to me as both a profession and as an emotional outlet. If I stop worrying, it means I’ve stopped caring.

While a little anxiety can actually be helpful, when it prevents you from writing, it has become a problem. Here are five ways in which you can limit and channel your writer’s anxiety.

Create or locate a productive writing space

Where you choose to write is one of the best ways to mitigate your anxiety — although if you’re serious about writing anxiety or not, you should have a space other than the dining room table. If you have space where you live, make a designated writing room that is away from the commotion and distractions of the home. Paint it a color you like and fill it with images and objects that bring you happiness.

Whether it’s a desk or a room, this space should make you feel at ease and a place you want to go to. You should look upon it as a retreat rather than a place of stress. I never refer to my writing space as an office because I feel that the word ‘office’ has stressful connotations to it.

If being at home provides too many distractions or if you’re someone who needs to get out of the house and be around people, try a public space like a coffee shop or library. I personally love to go and write at my local library. Being around others who are engaged in similar activities helps me remain calm and on task.

Ignore the internal voices of doubt

Ask most writers what their biggest source of anxiety is, and they’ll probably say self-doubt. You know the drill, you start to write and in very short order that inner voice starts trying to convince you that what you’ve written is terrible, the worst thing you’ve ever done.

You panic and go back and start editing, changing things around, or even deleting everything and starting from scratch. An hour passes, you haven’t gotten far and you’re ready to cry or throw your computer out the window. Frustrated you walk away vowing you’re giving up on writing forever — until tomorrow when you try again.

Treat that voice like the enemy and just keep writing. Don’t fall into the habit of looking back on what you’ve just written, you can come back and do that later. Just keep your eye on the ball and get as far as you can. Don’t put pressure on yourself by thinking that everything you write must be a masterpiece. That mindset is limiting, and you need to think bigger. Writing is not a one-step activity, it’s a process of editing and revision. Your first draft is the foundation, but between the time you build that foundation and the day you’re done, there’s going to be a lot of renovations.

Try a change of scenery

If your anxiety gets to the point that you have trouble coming up with an idea, it’s time to get out of your usual writing space. Removing yourself from the situation does have its benefits and can get creative juices flowing.

Take a walk or a jog, go to the gym, window shop at the mall, or even go to the movies. I will often go to my local mall and sit in the food court to people watch. Not only does that get me out of my usual space, it often helps to spark some creative ideas.

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when you’re writing and feel that it’s impossible to move forward. Shaking up your routine even in the smallest way often allows your mind a moment to breathe and reset. Maybe the random woman walking her dog, or the man placing a ridiculously complicated order at Starbucks will inspire you.

Talk to someone, or yourself

Vocalizing your anxieties often provides a calming effect. Saying what is worrying you out loud, whether to another person or just to yourself, can have an empowering effect rendering your fears obsolete.

This doesn’t only work for anxiety, it can often help when you’re dealing with writer’s block. Talking to a spouse, partner, friend, parent, fellow writer, or co-worker may help trigger ideas. Tell them where you’re at and where you might like to go with your project. Often times having a third-party perspective that can offer you an honest opinion will help you move forward.

Connect with other writers

Speaking to and networking with people who share similar interests is a great way to put your anxiety in check. Networking is important in any profession but in a creative field, it often provides reassurance. You’ll quickly discover that many of the experiences you thought were unique to you are common within writing circles.

Most cities will have writing courses offered at various educational institutions. Libraries often have writers’ clubs and social groups where writers can mingle and discuss a variety of issues. Building a network of people you can turn to when you’re stressed or full of doubt is a huge help. It is also a great way to make connections that could lead to professional gigs or collaborations.

Attending several writing classes, not only helped me work on my craft, but it also led to my first paid job as a writer and provided me with several close friends I can laugh and lament with about the crazy world of writing.