5 Reasons Why You Should Take a Break from Writing (and What to Do Instead)
Image by Crystalweed via Usplash
This is actually my second attempt at a blog post for today. I had a whole other post half-written, when I realized:
a) It was too complex and esoteric for most people to care about
b) It was better suited to a Master’s thesis in literature than actual helpful writing advice
(For those interested, it was all about the various layers of complexity and simplicity in writing – not just style and syntax but also plot, character, time, interiority... yeah, a thesis, like I said. Is it too late to go get a degree in Comparative Literature?)
In all honesty, I’ve been having trouble writing anything coherent outside my journal lately. Therefore, it is time to remind myself that it’s possible to take a break from writing, and in fact it is a GOOD idea to do so every now and then, such as when:
You are completely, utterly stuck on a project
You’ve finished a big project and don’t know what to write next, or if you want to write anything ever again
You’ve had a big trauma and are wondering if the words will ever come again
You’ve finished a draft and need to give it some time and space in order to have the perspective you need to edit
You’re out of ideas, or all your ideas seem stale, or you are just dreading sitting down to try and write because... hey, have I played Wordle yet today? Or Quordle? Or Octordle? Or Sedecordle? (no, I am not making this up).
What happens, in other words, when you just can’t force yourself – or shouldn’t force yourself- to sit down and write?
Here’s a radical idea (whispers):
It’s okay to take a break from writing.
Usually I’m all about the “just do it” approach, because let’s face it, we all have a million excuses in our heads and if we give them one second of airtime they go on full-chatter mode and quickly convince us we don’t need to write today after all. Maybe tomorrow, when we will definitely, absolutely, probably, feel more like it.
Sometimes, you have to just push through, and find out what you want to write by doing it. You can’t just think it through (as my recent post on overthinking has it). Some of the following are more relevant to certain of the above scenarios than others, but may give you some inspiration (or permission) if you need it:
Force yourself to take a break. Tell yourself you can’t write today. You’re not allowed. It’s amazing what a little reverse psychology will do. You have to commit to this for a certain period of time – a week, minimum. Trust me, I can be surprisingly motivating when you take a deliberate break and do anything but writing. And sometimes, you just need a rest. Especially if you have pandemic fatigue, are grieving a death, have been ill yourself, or anything that has you screaming for rest. Don’t beat yourself up for not chasing writing goals, Be gentle, and trust the urge to write will return.
Immerse yourself in learning a new creative skill. Be a beginner again. Learn to knit, bake or cook, paint, make pottery, take photographs... anything that is not writing. Being an excited beginner again can open you up to all kinds of new creative energy and ideas.
Journal about it. Okay, technically this is writing. But if you journal longhand, and keep yourself open to writing the most mundane crap imaginable, or asking the hard questions and seeing what comes up (see below for examples), it may provide the breakthrough you’re looking for.
Take yourself on Artist Dates or Walks. If you’re like me, you haven’t been filling the well much lately, partly due to pandemic restrictions and winter weather (and partly just not committing to it). Make a list now of Artist Dates you’d like to try, or places you could go for exploratory walks. These could be quick or take longer, but do a brain dump of everything you can think of. Then pick at least one for each of the next four weeks and put it in your calendar.
Ask yourself some hard questions: Can I live without writing? Am I okay being a one-book author? Do I want a career? Do I really want a career, with all that involves? Or is writing more of a hobby for me? What is my real writing dream? Get specific. Make sure you are working toward the dream you want, not the dream you think you’re supposed to want.
When you’re completely, utterly drained, or stuck, give yourself permission to just do something else for a while. If you need someone else to give it to you, I giving you that permission, now.
Go have fun.
