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The Writer’s Handbook to Self-Care
Lessons learned from full-time writing
Writers are some of the hardest-working people I know. I don’t mean that in a good way. I see most of them, myself included, forgoing exercise, sleep, and meals in pursuit of their passion.
Since becoming a full-time freelance writer two months ago, I’ve pulled 60+hour weeks spent launching my business, doing freelance writing tasks, and working on personal writing projects. Writing, obviously, takes up most of my time. And while it’s not particularly challenging to me because I’m highly experienced in it, I’ve come to a realization.
Writing is still mentally intensive, especially when it’s your own work.
Worse, we feel an urge to do it, a twisted need to do something that we know will consume and frustrate us. I felt the urge to write tonight, and so here I am, banging out yet another blog. I need to write, but I’m exhausted by my endless hours at the keyboard.
I know it’s not good for my productivity. I know that I’ll be more equipped to get into the flow, or heck, just inspired by new experiences, if I get away from my desk and do other things.
Why, then, is it so hard?
