The world doesn’t feel stable right now—and if your writing productivity has taken a hit, you're not alone. Between global conflicts, economic strain, climate anxiety, and the constant noise of social media, it’s harder than ever to maintain focus and creativity. For writers, the emotional and mental bandwidth once available for storytelling can be consumed by worry, doomscrolling, and burnout.
But this is also a time when stories are more important than ever. Whether you're writing fiction, memoir, or nonfiction, your voice matters. And that means finding a sustainable, nourishing routine to support your creative work—even if your days feel unpredictable.
Let’s start by reclaiming your routine in manageable, meaningful ways:
1. Morning: Anchor Your Start
Even in chaotic times, how you begin the day sets the tone. You don't need to wake up at 5 a.m. and meditate for an hour—but you do need to reclaim your morning as yours. Here’s how:
- Wake up around the same time each day. Consistency helps regulate your sleep, mood, and creativity.
- Avoid reaching for your phone first thing. Starting the day with social media or news can derail your mindset. Instead, drink water, stretch, and ease into your morning.
- Establish a short ritual before writing. This could be journaling, reading a poem, or sitting with your coffee in silence.
- Write first, if you can. Morning is often the best time to access unfiltered creative thinking before decision fatigue sets in.
2. Afternoon: Protect Your Focus
Midday is when many writers feel a dip in energy, especially if they're juggling remote work, caregiving, or activism. But even short creative sprints can be productive. Try this:
- Use a timer to write in 25-minute sessions. This helps prevent overwhelm and encourages flow.
- Schedule writing as a non-negotiable appointment. If it’s not on your calendar, it won’t happen.
- Minimize distractions. Use site blockers, noise-canceling headphones, or a “writing buddy” system for accountability.
- Rest, don’t scroll. A 10-minute nap or a quiet walk will recharge you far more than refreshing your feed.
3. Evening: Let Your Body and Brain Reset
When everything feels uncertain, your nervous system needs extra care. Evening routines that support decompression will ultimately boost your writing in the long run.
- Move your body, even gently. A walk, yoga, or light stretching helps signal to your body that it’s safe to wind down.
- Disconnect from screens at least 30–60 minutes before bed. Blue light affects your sleep quality and makes it harder to dream (which, by the way, is excellent creative fuel).
- Read something nourishing. Not the news. Fiction, essays, or spiritual texts can inspire new ideas and calm anxiety.
- Journal or plan tomorrow. Offload your mental clutter before sleep so you wake up clearer.
4. Night: Sleep Is Non-Negotiable
Burnout culture tells us that “hustle” matters more than rest—but this is a myth. Sleep is essential for processing emotion, consolidating memory, and sparking creative ideas.
- Try to keep a regular bedtime. Even when the world feels uncertain, sleep offers you structure.
- Keep a notebook by your bed. Sometimes your brain will solve a plot problem at 2 a.m.—capture it and go back to sleep.
- Remind yourself: Rest is part of the writing process. You’re not lazy. You’re restoring your ability to create.
Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Grace
In today’s world, showing up to write is an act of courage. Don’t compare your output now to more “stable” times. You are living through history—and your stories, your perspective, your art matters.
If you fall out of routine, begin again. Progress over perfection.
You don’t need a perfect system. You need a resilient one. One that adapts to your energy, your values, and the realities of modern life.
If you'd like a downloadable checklist, it's right here.
Download Writing Routine checklist