In a guest post on Jane Friedman’s blog, Jessica Conoley offers advice for getting your writing practice back on track after an unexpected break. Sometimes, significant, unplanned life events can prevent us from writing, even when it’s our career, Conoley says. “How do you stay true to your creative ambitions and still handle what life is throwing at you?” she asks. Here’s her advice.
- Practice Gratitude. “It’s hard to find things to be grateful for when your life is in cinders, but gratitude primes your brain to look for solutions and positive opportunities amidst your awful situation,” Conoley writes. “It helps shift your perspective and eventually may lead you to hope.”
- Schedule Quiet Time. Silence notifications, turn on your out-of-office notices, and limit your media intake to comfort viewing.
- Engage in Self-Care. Exercise, meditate, or treat yourself to a massage if you can afford it. Don’t forget to write as self-care.
- Take Baby Steps. When you’re ready to get back to writing regularly, go easy on yourself. Set smaller, easier to attain goals for a few days to give yourself time to get back in the game.
- Build on Your Success. When you successful add one writing habit to your routine, add another. Stack your habits until you’re writing on a consistent schedule. Review your successes and appreciate them.
- Ask for support. If you’re going through a difficult time, ask your friends and family for moral and practical support. When you start writing again, find accountability partners who will celebrate your successes with you.
