Balancing Life as a Writer

Balancing Life as a Writer

One of my most frequently asked questions now that I am twenty-five, married, a full-time high school English teacher, a cheerleading coach, and writer, is how in the world do I balance it all?

Well, it isn’t easy. But, if writing is something you are passionate about, that you cannot live without, then you find a way to make it work for you, your life, and your schedule. For me, I have to be extremely organized and intentional with carving out time for writing. I find I am a better wife, teacher, and coach, when I make sure I give myself the time I need to write and be creative on my own. 

You may be reading this, thinking, but how do I logically make this happen in my life? Whether you are a teacher or accountant or lawyer, hopefully, I can give you some tips on how to manage your time and still write creatively. 

1.    Create a schedule that works for you and your goals.

This may seem obvious, but this is where writers can get very frustrated. Many authors feel that they have to write every single day for hours at a time. Not true! Normal jobs have days off and so can writing. My writing schedule varies during what part of the year it is, but typically I spend about an hour to two hours each afternoon after school working on my writing. Sometimes, early in the morning before school, I will jot some notes down or outline a scene I plan to write later that day. Sometimes I give myself Tuesdays/Thursdays off or I alternate between days. It's up to you to set your own hours!

2.    Create manageable and attainable goals.

Don’t set goals that are too lofty or overwhelming. You want your goals to be something that can be done on a weekly or daily basis. For example, I have the goal to write at least 500 words a day. I rarely tell myself that I have to write for a certain amount of time – I find that I will end up sitting and nothing will happen. When I tell myself, 500 words per day, I can break it up into chunks throughout the day. Some days I go well above my goal and some days I am crawling on my hands and knees, struggling to get to that 500^thword. But setting small, attainable goals is essential to continue your writing life and to love what you do each day.

3.    Don’t punish yourself if you skip a day.

If you don’t meet your goal, whatever it is, DO NOT STRESS. I would always beat myself up if I missed a day or literally fall asleep at 6pm because that’s the #teacherlife. Writers need days off and breaks just like any other professional. It’s okay. Don’t stress.

4.    Create a positive writing space.

Create a place that is calming and creative. I use a spare room in my house with giant windows because I love natural light. I also have scented candles and speaker to play my favorite writing music. I oftent do yoga before I write as well to help me get into a calmer and more creative headspace. However, no two writers are the same. You have to create a space and a routine that helps you get into the right mindset for your writing. Of course, your writing space could be your local library or your favorite coffee shop. Wherever you feel the most creative and ready to work!