When Life Pushes Writing Aside
By: Elise Edmonds
Tags: Routine, Writing, Stress, Health, Writers Block

Hard Times

Difficult times come to us all. Health problems, family problems, financial issues, housing issues — we’ve all been there, and we’ll all be there again.

In these situations, coping with life is our top priority. I call it ‘survival mode’. You have to take one day at a time, and deal as best you can.

How do you manage to write when life happens in unexpected ways? Writing is an art that involves mental agility and willpower. If you push it to one side, it leaves a niggling frustration that you aren’t achieving anything, and yet, sometimes life doesn’t allow you the energy for anything more.

Should You Force Yourself to Write in Difficult Times?

The answer is different for everyone. Give it a go and see what happens. Some people find writing a comfort and an escape. Others find the effort is too much and piles on additional stress. I tend to be in the latter camp. Once life takes my mental energy, I don’t seem to have any left for writing.

The key is to not beat yourself up about it if the words don’t come — tell yourself it’s temporary, and you’ll get back to it when you can. Ultimately — be kind to yourself.

How Can Writing Help Me in Tough Times?

Writing can work as either a time-out or a therapy session.

Escapism — it can be a welcome diversion or release from the daily grind. Writing something humorous or hopeful may be the antidote you need.

Therapy — it can help you express your stress and worry through your writing. Journaling or blogging about your experiences either in private or in public can help you deal with things (and maybe help others as well).

How to Kickstart the Writing Process

Sometimes the words just don’t come. Let’s have a look at some ideas for easing yourself back into writing:

Set incredibly tiny goals: Aim to write 100 words a day. Or 50. Or two lines. It doesn’t matter — pick a minuscule goal and allow yourself to feel good when you achieve it.

Be kind to yourself: I’ve said it already, and I’ll say it again. We writers can be hard on ourselves, and yet we make allowances for others. What would you say to a friend in a similar situation? If your friend said their dog died, you’d say, take it easy for a couple of days and look after yourself. Take your own advice and try writing again another day.

Don’t self punish: Use the carrot not the stick. Reward yourself for meeting your tiny goals. Promise yourself an episode of your favourite TV show, or a bubble bath, or chocolate, or whatever, for your small achievements.

Switch it up: If you normally type, try writing longhand or vice versa. If you normally write in a home office, go to the local coffee shop. If you normally write at night, try getting up an hour early. Basically, if routine defines you, push yourself out of it and see if the change helps.

Set a routine: This is opposite of the point above. If you tend to write when you feel like it, but now never feel like it, try setting a routine. Choose a set time to write. Make a new writing spot.

Get an accountability buddy: Some of us work better under mild pressure. Get a writer friend to give you a deadline and keep checking up on you. The gentle stress may propel you forward. Plus, you can return the favour.

Free write: Let all your anxiety and adrenaline out on paper. It doesn’t matter what you write. Get down whatever free association words come into your head. It can work like a cleanse for the brain.

Use a writing soundtrack: Choose a particular artist whose music you like. When you play that music, you write. Associate it with writing sessions, and eventually just hearing the music may put you in the right frame of mind to write.

Write microfiction: Put the novels to one side and try some short fiction. Microfiction is a complete story in under 300 words. I personally find this a helpful way to keep writing when I can’t focus on a whole novel. It exercises my writing muscles without the stress of a complex longer piece.

Reading: If you can’t write, read instead. It’ll inspire you and remind you of your love for writing, and give you new ideas and associations. Even if you only read a terrible book and think you can do better, it might encourage you to pick up the pen again.

When You Need Help

Sometimes a change in routine can be all you need. But some difficult circumstances will need time to get over, and some, such as health issues, could remain with you indefinitely. If you’ve experienced something extremely stressful, you will not go back to “normal” quickly. And when you do, it will be a new normal, coloured by your experience. After some events, life is never the same again.

Again, be kind to yourself. If your writing triggers you, or eats away at you, take a step back. Try and learn when you need to walk away.

Talk to friends — writer friends and other friends. See a therapist if you need to. There is no shame in needing help, even if that is simply a few trusted friends who will listen to your rants!

Eventually, our experiences, both good and bad, can make us stronger people. Don’t stare into the shadows on your own. Take the help that is out there, and know that you can get through this.

Conversely, if you have writer friends in difficult circumstances, remember to check in with them. Don’t avoid them. A simple word or a quick hug (virtual, if needs be!), may be all that is needed.

There’s a quote by an unknown author which says, “Difficult Roads Often Lead to Beautiful Destinations.” Keep that in mind on your journey, and keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel.