…when we’re busy running around like headless chickens.
So many writers I know—students and otherwise—relate to this statement.
For most of us, it’s difficult to prioritize writing when other, more pressing issues shove it aside. Most of us have bills to pay, after all–and most of us aren’t supporting ourselves or our families 100% with our writing. Some of us have responsibilities that require copious amounts of time and energy–and that can leave us creatively drained.
So, how to we dare presume to build a writing life? I can only speak to my own experience. For me, it has come down to taking a hard look at the shifting landscape of my life over the years and being extremely stubborn about fitting the writing in whenever I can. This has been easier during some periods of life than others, of course. The most difficult times to find time (and energy) to write where when I had small children, when I was going through major life changes, when I or a close family member had a health issue, etc.
I’ve also worked hard to streamline various aspects of my life that, on the surface, might not seem to have much to do with writing. However, things like taking control of finances, cutting out toxic relationships of all sorts, and continuously refining and simplifying my vision for what I want my writing life (and my life in general) to look like moving forward have done wonders for the writing itself. Maybe I’ll do a blog post on each of these, now that I think about it. Stay tuned.
