The Real Reason Your Writing Routine Isn’t Working Anymore
And how to fix it
One of the most powerful tools I have in my writer’s tool belt is probably something you wouldn’t expect. My writing routine. What else can compete with it?
When motivation leaves me without a single good idea to write about, where do I turn? When inspiration won’t even show its head, and when everything else fails, the routine keeps my writing life together.
But what do you do when your writing routine doesn’t quite work like it used to? That’s what we’re going to look at today. Ready to dive in? Let’s go.
You don’t really have one
Let’s be honest with each other, maybe the real problem is that you don’t really have a writing routine. Not one that you regularly show up to. Not one that you have given much real thought.
We’ve all been there, we’re each doing the best we can do. I get it. You get pulled every other direction in the world for the rest of your life and let’s be honest, the world is a scary place most days anymore. Why spend even more time building something you aren’t even sure you need?
That’s what’s at the core of this issue, not believing you need a regular routine. That you can just sit down and write when you feel inspired. And hey, sometimes that might work.
I don’t like depending on luck, or things that feel too close to it. I bet you don’t either. I bet more often than not, sitting and waiting for inspiration really just leads to sitting. And waiting. Am I right?
So, maybe the first issue with your writing routine is that you don’t really have one at all. That’s OK, we can fix that.
Why you should have one
A regular writing routine will help you grow. It will push you and make discipline more accessible. It’s less about sustained willpower and more about making the key decision of showing up and doing the work.
Routines are plans in action. So, when you take the time to plan out your writing routine, you’re charting a course of actions you will and won’t take when it’s time to write. What this means is that you have an entire group of decisions you won’t have to actively make during writing time. You’ll have already made them.
More than this, a writing routine will help you grow as a writer. The simple truth of becoming a writer is that you never stop becoming one. You just keep showing up and keep working at it. And doing that enough begins to change you.
That’s what growth looks like up close and personal. Give it enough time and it will transform you.
The same is true for your writing process. Make it a routine, build that into a habit, and keep showing up and your writing will sharpen. Your process will get better. You will find the inspiration you’ve been looking for because you’ll be working to create a system that invites it in regularly and one that can sustain it once it arrives.
Your routine misses the point
Maybe the actual issue is that you have a routine, and you’re working it hard, but a little too hard? Maybe it’s become too rigid, unforgiving? Maybe it cuts off your writing and maybe you try to dodge it sometimes, or just dread it, because of how unrelenting your routine has become?
That’s a problem. But we both know that already.
A writing routine is a tool, and just like any tool, you should regularly tend to it. Keep it sharp, make sure it’s up to date, still working the way you want and need it to. And, if it isn’t and you can’t salvage it, replace it.
It’s a scary idea for some, but don’t lose sight of the big picture. Replace the things that aren’t working, adapt, change, stay flexible, and keep moving forward.
This isn’t an excuse to not have a routine, however. This is empowerment to re-purpose your routine, to change it, to make it better. This is your opportunity to fix any system in your writing process that’s hurting or hindering more than helping.
Mistakes to avoid
- Not having a routine
- Not keeping the one you have
- It doesn’t challenge you
- Making one that is all about the rules, and cuts off the writing
- It misses the point
- You just keep working it because it’s what you’ve always done
- It isn’t fun and exciting
How to build one that works
So, how exactly do you build a writing routine that can take you writing to the next level?
- Whatever you build, leave room for flexibility, adaptation, and adjusting for changing situations. Life happens to the best of us, and you never know when something unexpected might happen. Or, something that you used to need in your process isn’t needed in the future, work in the ability to change and adapt and you work sustainability into your routine.
- Make it a habit. The fewer decisions you have to make, the more likely you are to keep the routine. According to many scientists, your brain can only hold so many things in its temporary deserves, and trying to keep up with what it has in the temporary files can become a distraction when it’s time to write. So, anticipate this and decide on the steps you need to take in your writing process ahead of time, then, make it all a habit and follow that routine until you can work it without much extra thought.
- Tie your routine to your goals, mission, and vision. Show yourself how your writing routine connects to the big picture, make it part of the mission you’re on. It’ll give your routine a bigger purpose, and a bigger part to play in getting the things you most want out of life. You’ll recognize its value on more than one level, and this will make it easier to show up and do the work.
- Show up and do the work. Just show up, work your routine, adjust as you need to, and get things done. It’s just that simple. The more you work on your routine, the more your routine becomes part of the larger process and, ultimately, the more you will get from it.
Conclusion
If you want more from your writing, you need a solid routine to help you get there. It’s the best cure for the tough days when you’re all out of motivation and the ideas are dodging you right and left.
Your routine is your secret weapon. But you have to find one that works and then keep working at it to get it just right. Do that and you’ll go farther than you think you’re capable of.
If you want to be a next-level writer, build a next level routine. Your readers and your work deserve it.