Rhythms for Writing
Heading into a new year, I have been reflecting on the idea of the rhythms in our lives.
At a biological level, we literally run on rhythms: our breath. Our heartbeat. Hunger. Sleep.
In a broader sense, there are also rhythms that we integrate into our daily lives through our habits and routines. Some of these habits have been deliberately implemented; others we have simply allowed to slip into place. Regardless, they all have an impact on the kind of people we are becoming. Ask yourself what kind of person want to be, and then take a good hard look at the habits you’ve established to support that goal. Are there new rhythms you could implement to replace those that no longer serve?
Here are a few considerations for healthy rhythms we can establish as writers:
Physical
Regular exercise. It doesn’t have to be rigorous or exhausting, but it should get your body moving. This helps to refresh and reset your creativity as an author.
Pick a time and place to write on a regular basis. Protect that space. Enjoy it.
Find physical stimuli that help you to write. It could be something that ignites your sense of wonder (watching the sunrise, listening to music) or perhaps it is something that allows you to feel safe and helps your brain to enter into the creative zone (holding a warm cup of coffee in your hands, putting on your favorite sweater).
Mental
Practice good self-talk. We have self-talk running through our minds on a daily basis, although we may not always be aware of it. Tune in. What kind of things are you telling yourself/believing about yourself in a normal day? What are the fearful, angry, or shame-inducing thoughts that you would like to kick out? What sort of things would you like to start meditating on instead?
Think about your book when you’re not writing it. Some of my greatest breakthroughs as a writer have come when I’m puzzling over the story while doing other tasks away from my computer.
Give yourself mental breaks from the story, too. Let your brain focus on other things. This can actually help us get to those breakthrough moments faster.
Social
Be intentional about who you are spending time with. Are you investing in people who bring you joy and feed your soul? Sometimes it’s good to spend time with people who challenge us, but it’s okay to prioritize your time and energy. Pour yourself into the relationships that really matter to you.
Emotional
Be aware of triggers that lead to bouts of negative emotion. Is there anything you can do to avoid some of those triggers so that you’re giving yourself a better shot at staying positive? For example, driving is very triggering for me. Something I can do to negate the nasty emotions that come with getting behind the wheel is leaving earlier so that I can avoid traffic.
Have strategies for when negative emotions do come. There is no right answer here. It could be something you think, do, or say out loud when things go south. You’ll have to reflect on what will be the most effective for you.
You are a writer. Choose your rhythms accordingly.