showing up for your writing
At the start of a yoga class, my yoga teacher always says, “Congratulations! You’ve already done the hardest part, which is showing up on your mat.” I think the same sentiment applies to writers. Often, for us, the hardest part is just showing up. Sitting down and opening that Word doc and tolerating the anxiety that hits when we realize we don’t quite know what we’re doing with this latest work-in-progress.
So, how do you get yourself to show up for your writing on a regular basis?
In James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, he talks about the importance of a “pre-game routine”--essentially, a warm-up that gets your body moving and your brain in the right mental state to begin your task.
This is the part of writing that I find is most overlooked by writers. We are impatient. We have a certain idea of what a good writing session looks like. We sit down and expect to instantly start creating-–and if we can’t, we feel terrible.
But with a pre-game routine, you give yourself a little more grace. You give yourself time to warm up and get used to the idea that you’re about to do something challenging. A good pre-game routine transforms how you feel about writing time and how you feel about yourself during it.
So, let’s dive into James Clear’s three steps for developing an effective pre-game routine.
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Step 1: A good pre–game routine is so easy that you can’t say no to it. In other words, you shouldn’t need motivation to do it.
I start my writing routine by lighting a candle and putting on some music. Yup, that’s it. I enjoy doing both those things and they take next-to-no effort, so it’s a perfect way to get started.
What simple activities would be an easy start to your writing session? Making a delicious cup of coffee? Pulling a tarot card? Laying out your favorite stones and shells on your desk?
Step 2: Your routine should get you moving towards the end goal.
PHYSICAL MOVEMENT
Most of us associate writing with sitting still in a chair. Not only is sitting not that exciting, it’s often a position that mimics our work posture all day long, so you can imagine why writers don’t feel that excited about it.
Lack of movement leads to a lack of mental energy. So, I believe that starting your writing routine with some physical activity is crucial.
Some days, I go for a walk around the block to clear my head and get my imagination percolating. Other days, I’ll roll out my yoga mat and do a few gentle stretches. You might like to do some qigong or dance around your house to your favorite song.
WRITING MOVEMENT
Next, it’s helpful to do something that looks and feels like writing to get you into the mood for the writing session ahead.
Maybe this means journaling a little bit about your day or about your project. Or you could respond to a brief, lighthearted writing prompt. Like a runner jogging in place, you’re simply getting your body and mind used to the activity you’re about to undertake.
Step 3: You need to follow the same pattern every single time.
One of the things we’re doing in a pre-game routine is training our brain. In order to create a new habit, we have to lay down new neural pathways, and the easiest way to achieve that is to do the same actions in the same order every time.
Eventually, this routine becomes so ingrained that each time you do it, you’re creating a trigger that prompts you to want to write.
As we start the New Year—typically a time when writers make lofty resolutions that quickly fall by the wayside—I encourage you to instead think small. What kind of pre-game routine can you create for your writing sessions that draw you back consistently to your writing desk, to create the work you know you want and need to make?