5 Proven Ways To Get in the Writing Mood
By: Kristina Segarra
Tags: Writing, Personal Development, Self Improvement, Creativity, Writing Tips

As a writer, I aim to write every day. I understand the importance of writing consistently. To help me do that, I built up a writing habit so I could meet my writing goals. But admittedly, I’m not always in the right mood to write.

So I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve to get me out of my sluggish mood and kick start the writing process.

Here are 5 methods I use to get myself in the right frame of mind.

I have coffee on my desk

I use my morning time block to write. But the truth is, jumping out of bed and getting straight into writing isn’t an easy process. I need an instant boost to help with my motivation, and for me, it’s coffee.

A freshly brewed cup of robust coffee gets me in the writing zone in no time and keeps my mind sharp.

I drink a cup before I start writing, and I take little sips of coffee as I write. It helps me to get in the flow and sustain my flow throughout the whole process.

I tap into my Goldilocks level noise

Some people write better when listening to soft background music. For other people, any background music may be distracting.

For me, I like the gentle whir of the little fan I have next to my desk. I find all other types of noise distracting.

Also, people need different levels of background noise to jumpstart their creativity.

Stephanie Thurrott explains it best in her article on how background noise and sounds impact creative states. While some people may find different noise levels distracting, others prefer to work in the quiet to help them get in the flow of writing.

You can experiment with different sound levels and see what level of noise works best for you.

I close all the apps on my computer

I close all the social apps on my computer and leave my phone in another room. I only have two windows open on my computer when I write: Grammarly and Medium.

Seeing nothing but my computer screen helps me focus on nothing but writing. I find I’m so much more productive when I’m not distracted by anything.

I take a short walk

After I take a walk outside in nature, I always perform better. Walking increases blood flow and oxygen to my brain.

After a walk, I always think better, I focus better, and I write better. Walking also boosts my creativity and helps me to come up with more ideas.

To get the most out of writing, try going for a short walk or engaging in some kind of physical activity.

I consume content

On days when nothing comes to mind — and it happens every so often — I get busy with reading.

Reading is one of the great ways to get yourself in a writing mood. That’s because consuming content activates your thought processes. It helps you generate ideas and inspires you to write.

When you read, you fill up your brain with ideas the same way you fill the car tank with gas.

I read articles on Medium, I read on news sites, and I read anything that piques my interest. By reading, you can also support and connect with other writers here on Medium.

The bottom line

You may not always be in the mood to write, and that’s okay. You can trick your brain to work in your favor. Try these methods to help you get in the writing mood. They surely worked for me, and I hope they’ll work for you too.