A Writer's Guide To Self Care

I know what you’re thinking, self care and being a writer don’t go together, but I disagree. And honestly, recently I have been in desperate need of some self care, some quiet moments, a breather. 2024 has been a rough year and to be completely transparent, I haven’t always been mindful of handling the stress well. Life starts lifing, we get busy…add into that the stress of the three or four WIPs you may be juggling, it can be rough.

Trust me, I understand.

So here are some things that I have decided to put into practice, some of which I used to do quite frequently. Maybe you have a few things you would suggest, if so let me know in the comments.

The tricky thing with self care is that in the hustle culture of the western world, it can almost feel like a bad thing to take care of yourself, like you’re wasting precious time and resources that could go to a side hustle or answering one more email. I’m a freelancer which means that I have to regulate my own schedule and more and more I find myself skipping meals or answering emails while I eat, never really taking that much needed break to reset my mind or process my thoughts. I’ve gotten so busy that it honestly shocks me…especially since much of it seems like busy work!

Of course, I love meeting with clients and helping their work turn into a finished draft ready to query or publish, but I can’t keep putting other people before me. This isn’t just about work either, it’s about the people you do life with everyday from friends to family to close acquaintances. I found myself answering everyone’s calls and helping them through their messes, ups, and downs, but no one was there to do the same for me. If no one else will, I at the very least, have to take care of myself. So what does that mean as a writer (and an editor)? It means taking a stance and carving out time and space and energy for me. After all, time is one thing we can never get back, why should all my time go to others? I’m not a terrible person if I value myself. Neither are you.

5 Self Care Tips I Recommend For Writers

Take breaks while you write. Wrote 500 words? Awesome! Now take a 5 minute break to grab a snack or maybe take a walk around the block. When we’re in the zone and the writing cap is on, it’s a cool feeling, but it is also pretty easy to get burned out.

Put your phone in airplane mode. While this can be a bit hard for parents, if you have a significant other, maybe they can watch the kids while you give yourself a “yes day.” Want a new book? Yes. Want a massage? Yes. Want to watch a movie? Yes. Want to actually try and sleep for more than 5 hours? Go right ahead!

Hype yourself up like your best friend would. Personally, my best friend acts as though she is the Lil’ Jon to my Usher. She’s always in my corner even when I’m not. So when things aren’t working the way you think should, ask yourself how your bestie would react. What would they say? What would they do? Show yourself that same grace.

Stretch. Dear writer friends, writer posture is a thing. And it isn’t a good thing. You probably look like a hunched up goblin half the time your tapping away at your keyboard. Stretch before you write. Stretch after you’re done for the day. Hit the gym once in a while. When you take care of your body, your mind works better. And we need the brain to do brain things so words make sense, no?

Read. And don’t read like a writer. Read just for the fun of it. No critiquing misplaced commas or harping on a spelling error that got past the editors, no wondering if this technique is something you should apply to your WIP. Read just for the fun of it. Not because you have to write a review or because you need more ideas for your WIP just because books are fun.

And here’s one for the road: DRINK WATER AND EAT REAL FOOD. Doritos and coffee do not a balanced diet make! Do better fellow book dragons! Do better!

What are some of your favorite things to do that spark joy, as Marie Kondo would say? Doesn’t matter how outlandish they may seem, who knows, someone reading this may begin to do the same thing!

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