We think of writing as something that only happens when we’re “at our desks,” but creativity doesn’t thrive under constant pressure.
Just like our muscles need recovery time after a workout, our creative minds need rest in order to recharge and reboot.
Decision fatigue hits writers hard — we’re always making thousands of choices, from answering big philosophical questions to finding the perfect little word.
When I first started writing professionally, I worked too many hours at all times of day and rarely left the house.
I felt stressed, scattered, and miserable.
Until I started scheduling downtime.
For me, the most important day of my writing routine is Sunday — the day I don’t write.
I devote my Sundays to rest, adventure, and connection. I spend time outdoors with my partner and our dogs, and pile up on the couch together to eat comfort food and watch movies.
Beyond my weekly day off, I also prioritize daily self-care practices.
I take a 2-mile walk every morning to clear my head and spark ideas. I balance that with strength exercises, yoga, and working at an adjustable-height standing desk to maintain good posture and avoid back pain.
I observe a strict clock-out time every afternoon and reserve evenings for consuming stories that inspire me — reading, watching shows, and listening to podcasts that aren’t work related.
And I allow myself the grace to take an extra mental health day when I need one.
My ideas require a lot of back burner time.
Slow cooking.
My subconscious needs a chance to process information, solve problems, and generate new ideas. It makes all those decisions feel lighter and more inspired when I get back to work.
Stepping away from the page isn’t a setback.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to push through another hour’s work at the end of the long day with crappy results, only to get up in the morning after a decent night’s sleep and glide through the same problem in 15 minutes.
Building a sustainable writing practice isn’t just about how many words you can crank out and how often. It’s also about how you rest.
When you take care of yourself, you’re not just recharging your body and mind — you’re powering your next great idea.
What kind of self-care works for you?
Feel free to reply and share — it’s always helpful to have suggestions outside my own experience.
Slade
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