Or, the Power of Practice

I love a good schedule. Or rather, I used to.

There’s something satisfying about feeling a sense of ownership and control over your days. But so often, we’re lulled into a false sense of control, thinking that by accounting for each block of time, we’re reducing uncertainty and demanding our days fit into a given box.

Then, when life comes at us sideways, or we’re sick, or tired, or whatever else, we realize the guardrails we’ve put up around each part of our day are too damn high.

The photo above is a good example: I started a new library job years ago: I thought I’d be spending the first few weeks acclimating to the collection and systems. Instead, I was thrust into a massive collections move (that no one mentioned to me previously…) on day one. All those plans I had needed to wait, but I still managed to find time to write each day, even if just for a few minutes.

What we need is some structure but supports us in shaping our days, but isn’t so stiff and immovable that it can’t account for our very real and changing lives.

So how do we do that? The answer is not with a schedule.

Creating and holding space

Emma Gannon recently wrote a post on social media about writing practice rather than a writing routine: Having the flexibility to let yourself create in the way you create. Deep listening for example, or as Neil Gaiman suggests elsewhere, sitting and seeing what emerges.

If you’ve been trying strict schedules and are finding yourself struggling to stick to them, it might be the schedule, not you.

Every time we sit down to write is a chance to learn how we write, and when you’re open to and curious about your own process and practice, rather than just progress, you’re able to witness the progress without forcing it.

And you’re able to build a routine that serves you, not the other way around.

What’s the difference between a routine and a schedule? Put simply, while a schedule gives us specific, immovable start and end times, a routine tells us what order things are happening in.
This includes things that really do have start and end times (like meetings), but also things that we’re trying to make space for in our days that aren’t scheduled (like writing time).

If I set up a routine where writing time happens after breakfast, I can drop into my writing headspace way more easily and automatically the longer I practice that routine.
Yes, I have specific times I want that to take place in, but I also recognize that life happens and there’s no need to beat myself up about it. If I have a super busy day, even if I just spend 5 minutes on my writing after breakfast, I’m still honoring my routine.

I like Emma’s idea of practice over routine, but I define the two a bit differently. For me, my writing practice is the whole shebang: all the habits, little actions, mindset shifts, etc. that keep me showing up to my writing and keep my writing process fun (and, over time, make the writing more and more fun).

A routine is one small part of that: The routine involves practice because it asks us to continuously show up at a given point in the day, but isn’t the entire practice.

A lot of creating a sustainable writing practice is holding consistent space for whatever work needs to happen inside that space, and recognizing that writing and living a creative life is about a lot more than banging out words.

You want writing coaching that focuses on your human-ness, your own unique way you create, and the unique work you’re creating. 

Here are some of the most effective things I’ve learned about building a routine:

• It’s an order of operations, not a death march. A routine tells you an order in which things go during the day (I write immediately after breakfast, for example). If I sit down to write at 7 rather than 6:30, that’s fine, so long as I keep that rhythm.
  It’s that rhythm that helps us show up resourced and ready to create: If I got mad at myself for that half hour, that’s just energy I’m pulling away from my writing.
  

• You aren’t stuck with this routine for life: I revisit mine about once a quarter. My academic clients revisit theirs at the start of each semester. Choose a pattern that works for you.
  

• Stay with your routine, even on busy days, and it will pay off. If your writing time is in the morning after your chores, but you have a doctor’s appointment that day, spending even just 5 minutes (or less) opening a document and looking at it will teach your mind and body that your writing time is a consistent part of your life.
  And it teaches you that your writing doesn’t get pushed aside when life gets busy.
  
  It’s super easy for us to just sideline our own projects when we feel overwhelmed: The routine helps keep that from happening.
  

• If something doesn’t work, it’s a chance to learn, not an opportunity to talk down on yourself.
  Every part of our writing practice offers us a chance to reflect on what is and isn’t supporting us, either in our own habits and mindsets, or externally. If there’s a part of your routine that really isn’t working (like, you want to write at night but you’re always exhausted) it’s a chance to revisit and try something new.

Do you have a writing routine? What do you love about it?

This week only, subscribers get an additional 50% off all my 1:1 coaching, which includes a collaborative build-out of your own routine.
I’ve got just two more spots left, and I’d love them to go to my dedicated readers!

If that’s you, use the code NEWROUTINES when you sign up for Bloom (8 week coaching to bring your book to life) or Stellaria (ongoing virtual support for new and established writers).