How can you build a routine that allows for writing and personal time?

Want vs. Can Reflect on how much time do you want to allocate for writing versus how much time can you actually allocate. Life gets in the way and we sometimes want a lot more than we can have, which is very human. The key is to know our limits and then to think how can we navigate around them. While wanting 8 hours of writing time can be our dream, we might eventually realize that 8 hours is too long a time to just write. What else can we do or do we already do that could enhance our writing? The answers and the needs varies from person to person, and even for the same person changes over time.

Ask yourself: why do I need this writing routine? If you have a strong WHY, this will help you build a writing routine that you will stick to or can easily go back to. Note that a "strong WHY" can be subjective. Something that may sound like a simple goal to others can already be a strong reason. Remember that this is your writing routine - not for other people.

Une des clefs est également de ne jamais se comparer aux autres auteurs, mais bien de s’aligner avec son propre moteur d’écriture.

Além desses questionamentos, vejo que a escrita decorre do nosso pensamento. Eu escrevi um livro inteiro pensado no trânsito da cidade de São Paulo. A escrita exige essa disponibilidade interna, com os pensamentos que queremos comunicar. Então, vejo que mais importante antes de sentar e escrever é o recado que queremos levar ao nosso leitor.

Considero que reflexionar sobre esas preguntas es clave no solo para la escritura, sino para diversas áreas de la vida. En mi caso, asignar un tiempo específico para redactar ha sido fundamental, ya que lo percibo como una tarea importante con un plazo definido. Esta práctica me ha sido de gran utilidad para mantenerme organizada y cumplir con los plazos establecidos, especialmente en la entrega puntual de mis columnas.

1. Wake up early. 2. Plan your day. 3. Get work done before 5 pm. And then you will have enough time to spend with your family or on yourself. Another option is hiring a team and delegating tasks.

It is important to set a specific time for the tasks at hand. In this way, you can see where you spend most of your day. You can also equally allot time for breaks and a separate period for personal matters. By having a schedule that you can always see, you can indicate whether you prefer to do heavier tasks in the morning and relax in the afternoon or have your me-time in the mornings and continuously work in the afternoon up until midnight.

Build a writing schedule that also includes completely doing nothing and anything not related to writing. Your brain needs to rest too, from all the creative noise - so that you can better organize your thoughts and pick the best ways to write your content.

I actually plan my schedule to do my work on time. I do my writing on LinkedIn as well as I am a freelancer myself, student of BsIT.

I'm against the whole "wake up early to have more time", some people don't function well in the morning and that's all right. Know and be mindful of how you work best. Do you like to stay focused for a couple of hours with no breaks? Do you feel better when you take small breaks between writing? I usually pair my writing days with my exercise days- since exercising gives me a boost in energy and a positive mood! I never pair a writing day with a day of errands- I'm neurodivergent, and I know after two errands I'll need the whole day to rest. I also like the idea of writing my first draft one week- and coming back to it the next week! Refreshed. I guess the answer would be, to know yourself, and your limits and plan around that knowledge.

When writing with collaborators, I physically exchange my phone with my collaborators or we all leave our phones in the middle of the table. These days with fluctuating schedules and incoming communication coming in at any time, it is so easy to get distracted by our phones in a writing session. By using this practice, my productivity has increased during writing sessions. While phones can be used a a great resource, physically being away from your phone during a writing session is very beneficial!

Scinder sa journée en différents blocs de travail « deep work » de quelque heures aide à se dire que pendant ces quelques heures la Terre continuera de tourner même si le téléphone est éteint !

Recientemente, vi un breve pero impactante video en Instagram donde una mujer (lamentablemente, no sé quién) expresaba que decir "NO" equivale a decir "SÍ" a nosotros mismos y a nuestras prioridades. Aunque el video es muy corto, el mensaje resonó fuertemente en mí: es crucial liberar tiempo para dedicarlo a lo que realmente nos importa, incluyendo la escritura. Decidir conscientemente dónde dirigimos nuestra energía puede marcar la diferencia en nuestra capacidad para enfocarnos en lo que verdaderamente valoramos.

This is the time when you can check if your schedule is working. Are you more productive and efficient? Do you need to adjust anything? Is there a need to add more breaks? Should you change the time allotments? Work on this until you find the best routine for you.

Evaluar tu progreso es fundamental, ya que te brinda la oportunidad de identificar áreas de mejora. A medida que abordas estas áreas, tu desempeño mejora significativamente. En mi experiencia, escribir mi primer artículo llevó meses, pero ahora, una vez que tengo claro el tema, solo me toma un par de horas. Este proceso de reflexión y ajuste continuo ha sido clave para optimizar mi eficiencia y mejorar en mi labor de escritura.

One way to experiment is by trying new ways to boost your creativity. Entering a state of flow can be achieved easiest upon waking up in the morning first thing. Try to work at least two hours without stopping, then take a break and do not engage in stimulating activities. Once you figure out your best times for creative flow, try to stick to a schedule around it. Plan things on an hourly calendar each day. Also, sleep with a notepad and pen beside your bed, and make notes when inspiration comes to you. Eventually, you'll settle into a more natural and productive writing routine.

I believe sleep patterns influence writing routines… if you are intensely immersed in your topic, your mind is on some level processing information while you sleep… I have on occasion had historic figures come to me in my sleep and give me leads for sources (I am a librarian by occupation) so I can track down primary sources in unexpected places… it may be “spooky” or just subconscious me thinking outside the box. I have trained myself to wake up and write down the thought impression… that’s my adaptation but may not work for others. I am open the value of the subconscious intuition to help me navigate through the world of ideas.

View your writing routine as an experiment. Experiments can often work or not. If you have that in mind, you can easily pick up the pace if you fail to stick to your writing routine. Having this kind of mindset helps you build a resilient writing routine - one that is flexible enough to help you improve your writing skills even if challenges or constraints appear.

La experimentación juega un papel indispensable en mi proceso creativo. Cuando no tengo una idea clara o me enfrento a dudas sobre cómo abordar cierto tema, encuentro útil escribirlo de diversas formas. Este enfoque me permite explorar diferentes perspectivas e identificar la forma más efectiva de comunicarme. La práctica de experimentar con la escritura se ha convertido en una herramienta valiosa para desatar mi creatividad y abordar los desafíos que muchas muchas veces, enfrento.

In today's world, surrounded by constant noise and distractions, a peaceful haven — the art of writing —has stood the test of time. It is a craft that goes beyond cultures, generations, and technologies, providing a deep and timeless connection to the human experience. When you're enjoying the process, and we all know this can be difficult at times — writer's block, lack of inspiration, no time — writing becomes a timeless vessel for the intricate tapestry of human emotion, thought, and existence. It invites us to explore the inner landscapes of our minds, offering a tactile and intimate connection that resonates across time and space. Our minds are full of ideas just waiting to be put into words. What story will you write?

Writing is an art form of expression! It may not always be "enjoyable" especially if your daily job surrounds writing- but you can always make it less heavy. Write when inspiration strikes, on your notepad app, on a piece of napkin! Write when your favorite songs come on your Spotify. Write when you are happy, sad, or frustrated. It should be for you first and for the other people later. Give yourself the time to do other things because you understand how important it is to step outside and enjoy many other aspects of life! Then go back in, refreshed and write about it!

I enjoy the process of writing because a little bit of each project takes me to an experience or moment of discovery from childhood. Sometimes I am compensating for something missing from my path and writing helps me work through things. It gives me opportunities to reconnect with family and old friends. I ask my parents if my childhood impressions of something were accurate and we have these amazing conversations even if they may not (often the case) be interested in the topic I am writing about. Writing is very much a journey where it is important to be kind to yourself… and the topic. If you are writing about a difficult topic, compassion is important to self… and the topic.

Don't write. If you need personal time away from writing. This means you dislike writing. It will show in what you write. If you need to balance the time you spend writing with time you need to spend on, say, exercise and family, then make a schedule. Set aside non-negotiable time to observe and participate in life. Exercise. Laugh with family and friends. Travel. Observe. Live. Your writing will be the richer for it.

From someone who loves writing: write about anything. Write about a topic that you love, a topic that you hate, a topic that you find easy, a topic that you find difficult, etc. Doing so helps you build your writing skills and add more value to your portfolio.

- Allocate specific blocks of time for writing and personal activities in your daily schedule. - Set realistic goals for both writing and personal time to maintain balance. - Priorities tasks, and be flexible to adapt the routine as needed for productivity and well-being.

If you really love writing, then that's what I would call the best personal time! Being a writer is more of a way of life than a profession. Period.

Writing = personal time. Writing doesn’t happen in isolation. Want ideas = take a walk in the park Want inspiration = read a book Want energy = workout When you focus on your personal time, you can write better!