When Writing Becomes Overwhelming
Has writing become overwhelming and got you stressed out? We hear you. While you might have initially pursued writing as a career because it’s something you love, that doesn’t mean that it’s always fun and games. When you are a little too devoted to something, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and place too much pressure on yourself to succeed.
So, if you’re feeling like writing is overwhelming and you just can’t anymore, this article is for you! We’ve got some helpful tips to get you out of your funk and get those creative ideas flowing again. Ready? Let’s go …
1) Shake Things Up With Some Creative Exercises
No matter what kind of writing you do, sometimes you just need to step away and try some other creative exercises to give your mind a break from your usual routine. There is no right or wrong way to do this, but we’ve got a few ideas to help you out:
- Try free writing
- Start a journal
- Listen to new music
- Try another art form, like painting, drawing, or photography
If your brain is too focused on your writing work, it’s easy to hit roadblocks and start feeling stagnant. So don’t be afraid to shake things up and try something else to get inspired again.
2) Take on a New Hobby
Another great way to reduce the stress when you feel overwhelmed with your writing is to try a new hobby. Writing doesn’t have to be your only passion.
In fact, if writing has become your job, then it’s important to find ways to balance your passions with everyday life.
It doesn’t matter what these hobbies are — really!
All that matters is that you set boundaries with your writing work to make time for other things in your life. To do this, assess your daily or weekly priorities and try setting more realistic writing goals and schedules for yourself, including making time for your hobbies.
Another key part of balancing hobbies with your writing work is learning to say no. Even if you are in a flow, if you’ve already been sitting at your computer for hours, learn when to let go and give yourself a break.
It’s also a good idea to have separate spaces for where you work and where you do your hobbies. For example, if you work from home, try having a dedicated home office space for your writing. Then leave that space the same way you would leave an office when it’s time to log off and do something else. That way, writing won’t seem all-encompassing and overwhelming.
3) Take a Break From Your Screen
Perhaps you feel overwhelmed because you are simply spending too much time staring at a screen. If you go from writing all day on a computer to spending more hours scrolling on your phone or watching TV, you are likely suffering from screen fatigue.
There are many unexpected effects of screen time, some of which are detrimental to your health. Medical research shows that excessive screen time can lead to a slowed metabolism, sleep problems, cardiovascular issues, vertigo, depression and anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction.
So, do yourself a favour and step away from the screen. Maybe try spending more time outside?
MORE: Don’t Get Burned Out! 8 Self-Care Tips For Writers
4) Relax Your Mind
If excess stress and anxiety are causing you to feel overwhelmed when writing, try some relaxation techniques, such as yoga or meditation. Meditation not only helps relax the mind, but it can be a great tool to use for visualization when you are feeling blocked.
Some examples of visualisation techniques you can add to your meditation practice include color breathing, compassion meditation, guided imagery, and goal visualization. Adding these techniques to your practice can alleviate stress and help you refocus your brain toward more productive exercises.
5) Take Measures to Improve Your Focus
Speaking of refocusing your brain, our final tip is to improve your focus as a writer. In some cases, feeling overwhelmed might simply be a matter of feeling like you have too much to do and not being able to focus on the important things.
To help, try setting more achievable writing goals, create a daily writing schedule, and stay away from distractions. It’s also helpful to avoid editing as you write and write fewer words but more frequently in shorter sessions.
Final Thoughts
On a final note, if writing feels overwhelming, it might be because you are being too hard on yourself. While self-critique isn’t a bad thing, too much of it can hinder your performance.
So remember to go easy on yourself and take as many breaks as you need. The more you take care of your personal needs, the better you will feel, which will help you get back to your writing feeling refreshed and more inspired.
Good Luck!
BIO: Charlie Fletcher is a freelance writer from the lovely “city of trees”- Boise, Idaho. Her love of writing pairs with her passion for social activism and search for the truth. When not writing she spends her time doodling and embroidering. And yes, she does love all kinds of potatoes!
