Like many people, I’m still adjusting to the reality that I’ve been stuck in my house for the past couple of months and … rituals have been hard to keep. This past week, I finally accepted that my “real/regular job” isn’t coming back any time in the foreseeable future. I started to do what I used to do when I was writing full-time. I’ve started putting together a daily schedule *as if* I have a real job – because writing is a real job.
The schedule is *simple*. I believe in starting slow and then building on success. Days 1-3 were literally just this, with a very loud but musically pleasant alarm at set times. 1) Every morning, get up, have a FULL breakfast. If I already did, I can cancel the alarm. If not, then oops – because I forgot – again. 2) A half hour later (at the latest) take some time to meditate/pray/heal, whatever I feel like calling it that day, while listening to soothing music. 3) A half hour later, do some housework from the list I made up. So simple right?
Finally, I added item four – spend the afternoon writing *something creative*. I was writing before, but I’m trying to do so consciously, with my full attention, not like a crazy person shooting paintball gun words at the wall, hoping they’ll all make sense when I’m done. Thus far the ritual seems to be working. I may not be accomplishing great things, but I already feel a lot better – a good deal more human – inside.
What about you? Do you have any writing rituals – or rituals in general? Let me know in the comments.
Anne Higa 
I was just thinking this morning that it was time to make a schedule for myself and write more, like it is my full time job, which it might as well be. Thanks 🙂
I hope convincing my husband that he can handle dinner and the kids’ bath times counts as a ritual. Because I have this down! Feeling kind of jealous that I don’t get to stay home, but I know it probably isn’t as pleasant as it seems!
Yes. Yes it does count, Steph. Thanks for all that you do.
I like how you set things up :). I’ve realized that I should build some rituals, especially now. I have been lucky that my day job was able to move me to work from home, but it is in my writing area ;). It’s very easy for me to get off track. I pretty much have two full time jobs and rituals (and alarms) might help me keep going! Nice post!
When I’m writing, I tend to do the writing first and the housework second. I like to start before daily events take hold. They can be so distracting. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
Love your schedule! I like to be organized too, though must say things have gotten a bit out of control during the lockdown.
I’m a teacher, so I’m still working full time right now and living my writing life in the margins, but during school holidays, I do something pretty similar, with time-boxing how long I get to linger on one particular task before it’s time to move on and what order I will do things in. I find I have to make progress on my writing and my house each day, as well as taking some fun time, or it gets ugly fast. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
What a great way of doing things, Anne. I think making it a routine part of your day and sitting down to do the work is what professional authors do, so you’re on the right path.
I’m so sorry that your real/regular job isn’t coming back anytime soon, Anne. My heart goes out to all the people who have lost their jobs and are trying to figure out how to get through this surreal time. Kudos to you for seizing the opportunity to write and to set up a daily routine. I have a flexible week long schedule depending on what errands, like grocery shopping, I have to do. I’m retired so I don’t have the job loss pressures, but I think I’m going to be isolated in my home until I can get a vaccine. So, I should have lots of time to write! Good luck! Happy writing!
It’s great to keep a schedule! I definitely need one, but I’m working from home so it’s kind of already planned for me. Happy writing 🙂
I made a schedule also… I get up, get dressed, take my medications, feed the cat, meditate for a half hour (give or take), pray, write to my blog which I haven’t posted since the pandemic began. I forgot how much I enjoyed writing and meeting people. Thanks for the post.
Hope you’re doing well. We adapt to do what we can to cope with this. I definitely think a routine helps because it would be easy for the days to just drift by. Good luck!