Tips For Establishing Your Writing Habit
We’ve all been there.
We decide that we are going to set a daily habit to write. We get a new journal to use and find a little bit of our day to squeeze it into. We do great the first day or two, maybe even the first week. But then, we miss one evening because we have that eye appointment after work and end up eating dinner later. Then we skip a few more because the yard really needs weeding. And then, we just start to forget. Without even noticing, we ease back into spending our evenings the way we used to, with the humdrum of dishes and dog walks and laying on the couch to watch old episodes of Parks and Recreation — our commitment to writing ending up in the same heap as our New Years Resolution to lose weight.
My favorite quote about intentions comes from Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street. He says, “Without action, the best intentions in the world are nothing more than that: intentions.” And though I don’t generally look to Jordan Belfort as a role model, I do think he got this one right.
We love to make plans and we feel great making the initial decision to do something, but we often fail to follow through to action. And, without action, we really have nothing at all.
So, here are three steps to help you push past the “intention stage” and take action to finally have the writing habit you’ve always wanted!
Design a Space You Love: Your writing space should be a retreat from the rest of your day; a place that you truly enjoy being. Take time to consider what you would like to include. You may want a cozy nook with a thick padded chair, pillows, a couple throws, and dim lighting where you can type away on your laptop in peace (like me). Or you may want a desk in a brightly lit functional workspace stocked with your full writer library, pens, pencils, and a typewriter to rock it old school. Or you may want a desk where you stand instead of sit, all your favorite art posted around the room as motivation, and a mini-fridge with your favorite drinks just within reach. Whatever you choose, make it a place you want to go.
Create a Ritual: Rituals prepare our minds and our bodies for the next thing we are going to do. We have rituals when we wake up in the morning to get us ready for the day. We have rituals for bedtime that aid us in winding down for sleep. Why not have a ritual for writing as well? For me, a cup of coffee and a glass of water are a must. I then make sure I am dressed in comfortable clothes before I nestle into my soft chair, laying a throw across my lap to cushion my laptop. Oh, and I tend to bring up a snack too! Whatever you decide on, pick things that help you transition from the other requirements of your day so that you can focus entirely on writing.
Be Realistic: I love the idea of writing every single day for a specified amount of time, but the reality is…my life just doesn’t have the room right now. And yours may not either. If you are a parent of young children, or work in a field that requires unpredictable working hours, or are juggling a job and school at the same time, placing an additional daily demand of time on yourself will just set you up for failure. Instead, be realistic. Sit down at the beginning of each week and look over your calendar. Pick a few times that you know you can dedicate to writing and pencil them in. If you end up being able to add in a few more as the week progresses, that’s great. But, be easy on yourself. Then, you will look forward to your writing times, instead of dreading them because you are tired and overwhelmed.
Congratulate Yourself Along the Way: Yes, I know I said three steps, but this was too important to leave out! Every time you sit down to write, each word you pen on paper, all the time you dedicate to developing a character, is a win. And each win deserves to be celebrated. When you finish up a chapter, find time for an extra writing session, or submit a new article, treat yourself. It may just be a venti cafe mocha from the local Starbucks (my personal favorite) or a walk outside with your goofy dog named Wookie (also a favorite of mine). Whatever it is, take the time to recognize your progress and do something fun. It will keep you motivated.
Establishing a consistent effective writing habit is a life-long journey. It takes time, dedication, and a little self-care to keep it going. But, one day, you’ll be able to look back and say “I did it.” Because you will!
Happy writing!
