In the blink of an eye, summer flies by and the endless afternoons of writing in the sunshine are gone.

As a teacher in work mode from 6 AM to 5 PM, recommitting to writing while working is a struggle.

If you’ve poked around this blog, you may have found out that I even stopped writing altogether for over a year. That all changed when I reemerged from my long hibernation and recommitted myself to writing.

While the initial drive of inspiration has faded, I finally found myself able to write consistently- even completing the first draft of my current work in progress!

Today’s post is all about building a writing habit that sticks! 

Whether you’re heading back to school, starting a new job or revamping your writing routine, these tips are here to help you write consistently with as little friction as possible.

Let’s get into it!

Writing every day is the ideal- a dream really- that is difficult to keep up and can leave you feeling like you’re constantly falling behind.

Besides, writing every day can sap your creative energy. It doesn’t give your creative soul any time to recharge.

Instead, choose times within your weekly schedule that you can stick to.

Many find that waking up a bit earlier and incorporating a writing session before work is easier than trying to write in the evenings when you’re often mentally drained.

Consider scheduling writing sessions just once or twice a week. You can add more once your routine becomes a manageable habit.

If you’re feeling up to it, there’s also nothing wrong with writing on a whim (in addition to your scheduled blocks).

Recommit to your writing practice by crafting a routine that fits seamlessly into your weekly schedule.

Have you heard of the Pomodoro Technique? 

This is a time-management method where you work for 25-minute stretches followed by 5-minute breaks.

Rather than committing to a one-hour writing session, this technique helps you break tasks into manageable chunks. 

And, if you tend to procrastinate, it allows you to take time-bound breaks, making it easier to get back on task when your 5 minutes are up!

The key here is to take intentional breaks like drinking water, stretching or folding laundry- something that won’t drain your energy or have you falling back into old procrastination habits (hello, YouTube!)

Play around with the timing or try out different time management techniques until you discover what works for you.

25 minutes may be too long of a focused writing session- at least at the start.

When I recommitted to writing regularly, I set my timer for just 5 minutes and then kept increasing my time by five-minute increments.

For a while, 15 minutes was the secret sauce.

Sometimes, you’re in flow and you want to keep writing. At other times, you need that five-minute break.

Committing to shorter writing sprints can set you up for success, especially when you’re initially creating a writing routine.

I like to get straight to the business of writing as soon as I sit down. This means that I have an idea of what I’m doing next before I open my laptop.

I’m a big advocate for checklists.

Breaking down your giant goals such as writing a novel into manageable tasks can clarify your plan. There’s no wasting precious time wondering what’s next.

So, that could be jotting down the next plot point you’ll write on a Post-it note and leaving the reminder at your desk.

It could be editing one chapter or breaking down a crucial scene. 

Set aside 2-5 minutes at the end of your writing session to plan your next move. Make it easy to recommit to writing by maintaining a clear path ahead.

At the end of each week, take a few minutes to reflect on how your writing routine is serving you.

If something isn’t working, there’s no need to stress yourself out by forcing it. 

If you missed a day, show yourself some compassion. Some days will be duds even when you have a great routine.

Life happens. Embrace the unexpected.

Feel free to readjust any part of your writing routine that’s off-kilter whether that’s trying out a new time management technique or changing your schedule.

You may even find that a routine that was successful for a while just isn’t working anymore.

That’s alright! Our lives are filled with hills and valleys and just as we grow and change, so must our habits.

Maintaining a flexible mindset and committing to consistent self-reflection, can help you remain motivated during the difficult weeks.

Similarly, use part of your weekly reflection to identify what is working for you and celebrate those wins.

You don’t need to have completed your manuscript before patting yourself on the back. 

Research shows that you’re more likely to accomplish your goals when you celebrate small wins along the way. 

You can do both! 

Recognize what isn’t working and aim to fix it all while taking pride in the work you’ve done thus far.

Four strategies to help you recommit to a consistent writing routine this fall.

• How to Quarterly Plan to Accomplish Your Writing Goals
• A Weekly Reset Routine: How to Accomplish Your Writing Goals
• How to Create a Writing Routine with a Full-Time Job

I hope that you have a successful year of writing ahead.

Have another tip that helps you recommit to writing? Drop it in the comments below.

I’d love to hear what you’d like to read about on this blog! How can I support your writing journey?

I look forward to reading your suggestions in the comments.

Talk soon!

Julia