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It is easy to underestimate the toll that creative work takes on your mind, body, and spirit. As writers, it is important to take care of ourselves so that we are able to continue to create. If you have ever experienced burnout or writer's block, you know how difficult it can be to overcome these obstacles. That is why it is important for writers to practice self-care.
Self-care for writers can take many forms. The idea is that you refill your cup so that you're able to keep creating. It is incredibly difficult to create when it feels like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel. So instead of trying to force your way through your latest draft, take some time to take care of yourself first.
First of all: are you curled up like a shrimp over your keyboard? It is easy to underestimate the physical effects of sitting in front of your computer and writing. When you're deep in a writing groove, the time can fly, and you can end up sore and achy by the end of the day. The act of sitting for long periods of time can put a strain on your muscles and bones, so it is important to get up periodically and move around.
One of the things that I like to do is simple stretches. Neck tilts, shoulder rolls, wrist and finger stretches are all great ways to shake the body loose when you've been writing for a long period of time. I try to take breaks during my writing sessions to shake everything out just so that I am not completely sedentary all day long.
Walking is another great physical activity to incorporate into your routine. Not only does it get you away from the computer and moving around, but it can also give you the opportunity to brainstorm, plot, or solve problems lingering in your script. The change of scenery is really good for your brain. It can help you shake the cobwebs off and inspire you to get back to writing. I tend to take long walks when I'm feeling particularly stuck. I try not to listen to music or podcasts when I do this, so that I can really let my brain work out the problems I'm facing in my script.
Any kind of physical movement is one of the best kinds of self-care a writer can do for themselves. It can feel like a chore or an interruption to the creative process, but I think you'll find that moving your body, even in the smallest ways, can help refresh your mind, body, and spirit.
Aside from physical self-care, writers should also make sure to take care of their minds. Your mind is like a muscle, and it can suffer from fatigue as well. When your brain is feeling particularly fried, give yourself a break. No, really. Put the script down and walk away. Yes, even if you're facing a deadline. Resting and recharging your mind is important for you to be able to do the creative work that you do.
Some of the ways I like to recharge my brain include watching a new-to-me movie or TV show, reading a book, or listening to music. If you're feeling particularly ambitious and need a change of scenery as well, I suggest taking a trip to a local museum. In many cases, absorbing new or different kinds of creative work can help trigger something in your brain that inspires your own work.
In a similar vein, learning about writing can be very inspiring. I like to periodically take classes or sit in on webinars to refresh my skills, especially when I'm feeling a little down or vulnerable about my writing. Learning something new about writing can reinvigorate a mind that has been spinning in place.
Another thing that can be really useful for writers is to engage in a hobby that is very different from writing. Personally, I find the act of making things with my hands to be particularly helpful when it comes to taking care of myself. I am a knitter, and the meditative aspect of knitting stitch after stitch helps me remain present and focused. I also find that my brain works on my script problems in the background while I'm knitting, so by the time I come back to my script, I've figured out solutions to issues within the story.
Having different ways to occupy your brain when you're not writing is important to keeping your brain sharp. If you're only focused on writing all the time, it can really put a drain on your system. Mix it up! Try something new. Even if you end up hating that pottery or cooking class, you'd done your brain a service by stretching it in new and different ways.
For many writers, writing is a solo activity. It can be isolating to sit alone at your computer all day. As writers, we write about human connections all the time, but it's easy to forget our own. While I am naturally an introvert myself, I still find that staying in touch with friends regularly is a great way to refill my cup. Grab a coffee or simply phone a friend. Whether you are changing the scenery or just gabbing about a different topic entirely, it can help reset your brain and get you refreshed and ready to tackle your next pages.
Finally, take care of the space around you. I know that I can get distracted when my desk is looking particularly cluttered. I always feel better after I've cleaned it off. Ditto for my computer desktop — if there are too many random files or folders cluttering my computer, it can help to reorganize. Cleaning is definitely a chore, but if you're feeling stuck on your script, it might help you to get up and move some things around.
Ultimately, you have to take care of yourself if you want to keep writing. Nobody can write with a dried-out pen. By taking care of your body, mind, and spirit, you will be better able to keep writing. It doesn't mean that writing will necessarily be easier, but you may find yourself feeling better, less stuck, and ready to tackle any problems your script might throw at you.
Sarah Marsh is the Head of Discord for Roadmap Writers.