We've all been there...we sit down to write and the words just won't come out. Or maybe we can't even motivate ourselves to sit down and write. And with the added stress of a global pandemic, it can be even harder to sit down and get those words out. But your stories matter and deserve to be written, possibly more now than ever before. In today's post, I'm going to share 4 tips to write when you aren't feeling motivated. 1. Change up your location I know, I know we all have to stay inside right now so this can be hard, but you can still change up your location in your house. Write in the kitchen instead of your bedroom, the living room instead of your office, etc. Even if you can't change locations, you can change the location you do have. For example, I almost always write at my desk in my room. However, this past week I added some more decor to make my days at my desk more enjoyable. Decorations or even rearranging furniture can give you a fresh perspective. And a fresh perspective and change can often lead to motivation. 2. Focus on time goals, not word count goals When you're feeling blah, giving yourself outcome-based goals can fail miserably. Instead, try to give yourself time based goals. Having to write 1,000 words today? That can feel insurmountable when you're unmotivated. Having to sit at your computer and try to write for an hour? Much less scary. With time based goals, we take out the expectations. I can sit anywhere for an hour but I can't always write 1,000 words in an hour. By removing the expectations for our sessions, we eliminate some of the pressure we put on ourselves, allowing us to breathe and do what we can--even if today won't be the most productive day. 3. Treat yourself well You can't expect yourself to feel energetic and ready to go if you're not eating the right foods, drinking enough water, taking care of your mental health, etc. Ask yourself a couple questions to see if maybe your problem is related to not taking care of yourself instead of motivation: --Have I drank enough water today? --Have I moved my body today? --Are my thoughts positive? --Have I washed my face and brushed my teeth? --Have I checked in with myself to see how I feel? --Have I gone outside? --Have I laughed today? --Have I eaten a solid meal full of nutritional food? --Do I need to eat some veggies or fruit? --Have I reached out to a friend or loved one recently for a chat? --Am I getting enough sleep? --Am I paying attention to what my body needs? If the answer to any of these questions is no, go and fix the problem. Then, come back to write and see if the words flow any easier. 4. Dress the part Sometimes, all you need to get work done is get out of the jammies you've been wearing the past few days (quarantine life, am I right) and change your outfit. Dress for the life you want to live. For me, that includes a lot of artsy, creative outfits I imagine a bestselling author would wear. It also involves cozy outfits that are a step above pajamas or sweats because cozy is still realistic, but not as bad as sweats. This might not work for everyone, but changing my outfit can change my perspective on the today, what I feel I can accomplish, and even how I view myself. Of course, if all else fails, give yourself grace. Some days we just aren't productive and that is ok. Celebrate what progress you have made, practice self care, and forget the rest. Oh, and before you leave, if you want to see these motivation tips in action, check out my latest writing vlog:
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Journaling has been one of the most transformative practices in my life. I use my journal to document memories, ideas, problems to brainstorm through, and quotes that motivate me, among other things!! Plus journaling has tons of benefits such as increased creativity, more self confidence, less stress, increased happiness, and it helps you grow as person! If you're looking for a way to uplevel your life or to remember all the good memories, consider starting a journal. Here are more tips on how to start a journal: Do you keep a journal? Let me know what your thoughts on journaling are!!!
Being a nighttime writer might be a challenge for a morning bird like me, but when my work schedule requires it or I'm on a deadline and want to get two writing sessions in one day, I can make it work! A few tips to develop a nighttime writing routine are: 1. Get your writing in before dinner or relaxing. At least for me, after dinner, Netflix, and reading, it's next to impossible to motivate myself to get any work done! 2. Treat yourself to a (decaf) coffee or smoothie while writing 3. Have defined goals for each writing session and set them ahead of time 4. Create triggers around writing. For me, I know once I change out of my work clothes and into sweats, it's time to get to work on my WIP! Curious what a nighttime writing routine could look like? Check out the vlog where I document my own routine for inspiration: What does your nighttime writing routine look like? |
AuthorI'm Angela Anne, a Young Adult contemporary writer committed to helping you achieve your writing goals + giving you writing inspiration. ArchivesCategories
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