So you have decided to write. Awesome!
Some days it will go just the way that you want it to and the words will flow onto the screen from your fingertips. Other days it will not. It will feel broken and stilted. Frustrating and hard.
I am writing this article for those of you in the midst of those types of days. No judgment or condemnation.
Here is an encouraging excerpt from The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. She is talking about growing as an artist and as a writer.
“Growth is an erratic forward movement: two steps forward, one step back. Remember that and be very gentle with yourself…. You are capable of great things on Tuesday, but on Wednesday you may slide backward. This is normal. Growth occurs in spurts. You will lie dormant sometimes. Do not be discouraged. Think of it as resting.”
The Artist’s Way by Juila Cameron – from p.74 – Growth
We all experience different levels of energy at a variety of times in the day.
How can we make the most of where we are at right now?
Managing myself is hard. I have to constantly assess what is most important and then spend time on those things. I have spent most of my adult life as a mom, homemaker, and homeschooler. I have been working hard at jobs without a paycheck. And now I am taking on writing.
In the last 15 years, I have learned that my energy and my time are the most valuable assets for me to keep an eye on. I only get so much time each day.
My writing time is very precious. There is more work involved to get that uninterrupted time alone. I have to make sure the kids will not need me for a chunk of time. I need emotional and mental space to put thoughtful words on the page. I must communicate and schedule my writing time or it does not happen.
This is hard!
Here are the basics that I set up in my previous article about Energy Levels.
Outline: 5 Energy Levels in Homemaking
- Why?
- Why should we think about our energy levels? Why is that important?
- What kinds of energy levels do you have through out the day?
- Types of energy levels – High Energy, Low Energy, Feeling Drained, Rest / Sabbath, and Sick day.
- With questions to ask for each energy level. – How can you make the most of right now?
Now let’s apply the energy level concept to writing.
When I have a writing session I go through a similar process to my homemaking. I assess my current emotions, my energy level, and my time. I choose what’s most important for that block of time and then I focus on that task. When something new comes up I put it on a list. (see: My Life in Lists)
I remind myself of my #1 Rule – I will write every day.
This means that no matter the amount of time or my energy level I need to put words on a page or in a text document. It also means that I must be flexible with my expectations of what writing will be each day.
Some days I can write for a few hours and the words come together well. Most days I only have an hour, my head is foggy, and there are many interruptions.
So how do I keep going? How do I keep making progress one day at a time?
What do I spend my time on?
What has been working for me these past few months?
What do you see in my process below that you can take and adjust for your own writing life?
Writing Session Routine:
Each day will look different depending on my time, my ability to think, the number of interruptions, and how inspired I am. And that is okay.
Progress is more important than perfection.
After each writing session, I will notate in my notebook what I was able to get done that day and what I hope to do next. This will give me an updated task list to keep going on projects and articles.
High Energy & Large Chunk of Time:
(starting my Writing Session, in the zone, motivated and have something to say)
- from scratch writing – Morning Pages Style, chase down an idea and get it on paper
- finishing writing – flip through Evernote docs and work on a messy draft
- formatting an article – the finishing work of an article in WordPress (set a timer)
Lower Energy & Small Piece of Time:
(ending my Work Session, short tasks, ready to move small things forward)
- Blog administrative work – emails, formatting, tags, posting finished articles
- tech knowledge – watching YouTube videos, learning WordPress, Google SEO
- set a timer if needed – do what I can and then walk away.
Low Energy & Feeling Drained:
(end of the week, not much to say, feeling scattered, worn out)
- Write the wisdom of others – my personal notes and learning
- Take notes on webinars & Tuesday Teachings from Hope*Writers
- Relax on the couch and read great books about writing
- browse through my list of blog articles to read
- go listen to a podcast and fold a load of laundry – or take a walk!
Photo by Yannick Pulver and others on Unsplash
– What kinds of energy levels do you have through out the day?
– What types of tasks do you do based on specific energy levels?
– Do you have assigned times of the day for your writing? Does that work for your energy reserves?
– What time of day are you most productive? When are you tiered and feeling drained?
– What about if you look at your entire week? Are there days that are more draining then others?
Final Thoughts
So, I do not waste my most productive energy and time checking social media. I write when I am able to focus. When I am feeling stuck, I have a list of other tasks waiting for me.
I assess my current emotions, my energy level, and my time. I choose what’s most important for that day, that block of time, and then I focus on that task. When something new comes up I put it on a list. (see: My Life in Lists)
My friend Stephanie has used this concept to help her persevere in learning to draw. She has written out a simple list that works for her and helps her keep going even when she is short on time and energy. Apply these ideas to your creative life.
Remember the math of perseverance!
small efforts made + showing up every day
= 350 (or more) days of progress!
You can do this! Your words matter.
Keep going! – April
Writing is layered and difficult. There are so many pieces to starting something new and making space for creativity. Here are some articles to help:
- This article will help you if you are stuck and not sure how to get started with writing.
- See this article for how I make space for my writing:
You are ready to share your message, you have made space for writing… now what next?
- What if the words don’t just flow onto the page like you had hoped?
- Or maybe you need space in your household duties.
- See this article for more on the basics of energy levels and how I use them in my home.
- My article 5 Energy Levels in Homemaking.
- Do I use the concept of energy levels in homeschooling?
- Yup! Definitely. Specifically in homeschool planning. (article coming soon)