How to Feel Less Overwhelmed as a Writer
A few weeks ago, I was really feeling the call of spring.
Birds and blooms and beautiful weather…YES to all of it! Along with all this vibrant energy, I felt this intense desire to kick up my heels and dive deep into writing my novel.
So I did. I wrote a lot, reveling in the excitement and exhilaration of finishing my manuscript. I wrote longer hours, losing myself in it all. But instead of it buoying me up, I began to feel overwhelmed—like I was veering off balance from life itself, spiraling into the energy of what caused my author burn out years ago.
It reminded me that the key to a happy and sustainable writer’s life is balance. It’s about nourishing ourselves with our creative work, but also taking time for self-care, family, other responsibilities…and fun, of course.
Here are a few techniques I’ve used when I’ve needed to recalibrate myself, and I’d love to share them with you…I’m hoping you’ll find them helpful, too!
1. Setting boundaries
Setting boundaries between my creative work and life in general has been something I’ve struggled a lot with in the past. What works well for me is, first of all, eliminating any tasks that are not important (or that I truly don’t want to do!), or finding an easier way to do them. If I want to focus on my writing, I’ll often say no to social invites—maybe choosing one or two for the week—and making my time more efficient by ordering in groceries and anything else I need.
I also set time boundaries, instead of working around word counts. Years ago, I used to be obsessed with achieving the daily word count I’d set for myself, and it was one of the biggest factors that led me into burn out. Once my creative fuel is spent…that’s it. No more! And I discovered that pushing myself further only dysregulated my nervous system.
So now, I write in the mornings, and I stop when I’m hungry for lunch. There’s no rigid time schedule, but generally I start around 9ish and my body tells me it’s ready to eat around noon, sometimes a bit earlier. So usually I write for two to three hours. This schedule works for me because it’s consistent, yet flexible, and super sustainable!
2. Taking breaks to connect with myself
I often take breaks during my morning writing sessions—in fact, I wouldn’t be able to function without them! Breaks are absolutely crucial for my creativity. Usually I’ll do a few five minute short ones here and there, maybe every thirty minutes or so, where I’ll refill my water and pop outside on the balcony for some fresh air. (Sometimes I’m already writing outside on the balcony, enjoying the birds and nature vibes!) I’ll often do some shoulder, wrist, and neck stretches, and several long, deep breaths.
And sometime mid-morning, I’ll take a longer break, where I’ll do some qigong, dance, or yoga. Movement is amazing for getting the blood flowing, resetting the nervous system, and reducing tension or stress…and it’s the perfect opportunity for me to reconnect with my body. When I’m out of my head, and into my body and my heart space, my writing always flows so much better.
3. Keeping a positive mindset
When I used to live in author hustle mode, many years ago, I often thought that my books would never get written unless I rushed through them. I always believed I was behind, even when I was self-publishing regularly, and that I wasn’t allowed to call myself a successful author unless I was constantly cranking away.
That’s when I realized what I needed was a mindset shift! Two things that helped immensely were staying positive about the situation—including how I talked to myself—and understanding that writing consistently and steadily was far better than pushing myself to the finish line.
Writing is about fun and creation and enjoyment! It’s about finding the balance between the things that nourish us, including rest. The magic always happens in the flow—and when we let ourselves receive it from a place of calmness and relaxation, amazing things will occur!
Journal Prompts:
Grab your journal and reflect with these prompts:
What would your writing look like and feel like if you didn’t rush yourself?
What is something that might feel good for you to do during a writing break?
How can you set boundaries with your writing?
Affirmations:
There’s no need to rush my writing. It’s okay for me to write at my own pace.
My story is unfolding in the perfect timing.
I am allowed to rest and relax during my writing breaks.
Happy writing, beautiful creative soul!
xoxo, Ana