The Unlikely Writing: Lessons from a Chaotic Routine

Writing has become a significant part of my life over the past four months.

Initially, it was a bit of a struggle.

I lacked a consistent writing habit and often found myself cramming my writing into the last two days of the week. I even had a period where I couldn’t write anything for a month due to stress and bad memories associated with a particular blog post. After my break, my goal was to establish a daily writing routine, dedicating about 40 minutes each day to writing.

However, life had other plans for me.

With the start of my first year at university, my carefully crafted plans flew out the window.

Despite the chaos, I managed to snatch moments here and there to write. Whether it was during lectures I already understood, in the quiet of a café after classes, or even during late-night train journeys home, I found time. Strangely, the less time I had, the more I wrote. Perhaps it was the scarcity of time that fueled my creativity.

Writing became my refuge, a way to unwind after hours of intense studying.

I had intended to write about tips for establishing a writing habit, but truthfully, I had none. My writing routine was born out of necessity; I seized whatever moments of respite I could find. Fatigue became my trigger for writing; in moments of exhaustion, my thoughts flowed effortlessly onto the page.

Writing became my escape, allowing me to delve into fantasy worlds or pour out my thoughts and feelings.

I’ve been journaling on and off for years and creating stories for as long as I can remember. Writing has been my go-to for managing anxiety, sorting out my emotions, or simply fighting boredom. Recently, I’ve started structuring my writing and sharing it, but my love for writing has always been there.

Surprisingly, the more I wrote, the more ideas flowed, and the more I realised I had so much more to express. This post may have veered away from its original topic, as I wanted to write about wirting habits, but here are some valuable lessons I’ve learned about writing:

1. Find Your Writing Rhythm: Discover the time of day when your writing flows best. For me, editing works in the morning, while creative writing and first drafts come easier when I’m tired in the evening.

2. Separate Writing and Editing: Don’t edit while you write. Give your ideas the freedom to flow first, then come back to structure and edit later.

3. Don’t Fear Deletions: It’s okay to delete sections that don’t work. Holding onto everything can hinder your progress.

4. Establish a Routine: Create a consistent writing environment that signals to your brain that it’s time to write.

5. Simplicity is key: Keep the process simple. The more complicated it is, the less likely you’ll stick to it. Complexity often acts as a barrier to starting.

6. Embrace Flexibility: Life can throw unexpected challenges at you. Even on difficult days, write a little. The key is to keep going, even if you miss a day. Progress, no matter how small, is significant.

7. Be self-aware and adapt: Regularly check how you feel about your writing. If it brings no joy or results, don’t be afraid to try new strategies. Be flexible, but don’t give up too quickly; most things need time to improve.

In the end, writing is a personal journey. There’s no right or wrong way; the key is to find what works for you and keep at it. So, whether you’re penning down your deepest emotions or crafting elaborate fictional worlds, embrace the simplicity of the process, stay flexible, and above all…

Keep writing!