A couple months ago, my partner and I moved in with my parents in an effort to change our lives and save some money. While it seemed like I would have a lot more time for writing, I found that I actually had less time. Distractions were everywhere. With five adults living together, as well as a home office that employed another three people, (not to mention two cats and nine chickens) there were a lot of things vying for my attention. Some days I sat down to write, only to be immediately interrupted by something “urgent.” (Or, perhaps, less urgent, but quite interesting). Some days I ended up not writing at all—which left me feeling dissatisfied and out of sorts.
A lot of people, no matter their hobby, have found themselves in the same situation. Coronavirus has changed how we live and work, leaving more of us at home during the day and routines completely dismantled. Couple these disruptions with a bombardment of dire news, writers now seem to have less time and energy to work on their projects.
But writing is a part of us and we must find a way to fit it in to our lives in order to thrive. So, how can we avoid distractions and create a routine while writing at home?
Below are six (and a half!) ways to get your writing back on track.
Communicate with housemates
A lot of writers have found themselves living with family or staying at home, where they are surrounded by other people. Most of the time, family doesn’t understand that writing is something you must do. To them, it’s an oddity, a hobby that you can do any time. The first step to writing without distractions is to communicate with housemates that you are not to be disturbed when you’re writing. Perhaps it’s a certain time of day, or when you’re in a specific location. Maybe you even make a sign: Writing: Do Not Disturb. This conversation is crucial to ensure that everyone is on the same page when it comes to your boundaries.
Find a place to write
Sometimes, even after you’ve explained that you’re unavailable while writing, people think, Surely I can just tell them this one quick thing… Which turns into many other not-so-quick things. Writing at my kitchen table is an impossibility during the day, where, even if I have headphones in, family members talk to me or come in with groceries (and I have to help—I don’t want to look like a jerk!). Learn the places where you’re more prone to interruptions and avoid writing there. It helps if you have a separate space to go, like an office, but many people aren’t so fortunate, and businesses like Starbucks or Barnes and Noble no longer offer seating. I’ve found that the loft of our mudroom is a great place to be productive during cooler days, mostly because no one suspects I’m up there. They can’t interrupt me if they can’t find me! Your bedroom, a little-used living room, or an outdoor area can also be good places to go in your home, while many local libraries and parks are also open for use.
Analyze your rhythms…
It’s always a good idea for writers to know their most productive times. If you’re a night owl, getting chores and errands done during the day will leave time for writing in the evening. Early birds work best when they fit in a writing session before the day begins. And daytime folks get things done early, settle down for a midday brainstorming session, and focus on other things later in the evening.
…and those of the people around you
However, night owls might find their routine disrupted by movie or game nights; early birds won’t be able to concentrate at the kitchen table if everyone else is making breakfast; and daytime folks might find it hard to do anything at all when a housemate is vacuuming or on a business call.
For those who can’t escape to a private spot during their optimal writing time, look at the routines of the household. Maybe breakfast is your optimal writing time, but waiting an extra hour or two might clear out the house for some peace and quiet. Shifting your writing a little earlier or later isn’t always ideal, but a focused session without distractions will yield better results than trying—and failing—to keep your old routine.
Develop a writing ritual
Let yourself know when it’s time to concentrate by creating a ritual. Perhaps it’s lighting a favorite candle, listening to specific music, or making a cup of tea or coffee. Doing the same things right before a writing session—regardless of when you manage to fit it in throughout the day—can establish a mindset before you even open a notebook or computer. Yankee Candle’s delicious Spiced Pumpkin candle always bumps up my mood—and my productivity—immediately.
Schedule time for distractions
I used to have a routine. I would get up, sip my coffee while checking social media, and eat breakfast while I read and responded to emails. Only after doing all this was I ready to get to work. This downtime might seem pointless, but it served a very important purpose: to get rid of the distractions early, so I could devote time to writing later. With my new schedule, I realized I didn’t have the time to scroll through Instagram or Tumblr and my inbox was getting out of control. Any time I said I was writing, I ended up doing other things online instead. Now, I know that I need to spend some time addressing emails, futzing around online, and even watching a little bit of Great British Baking Show to make sure I’m ready to write when the time comes.
Establish attainable goals
We all have good intentions. Finish editing that manuscript. Brainstorm a story idea. Write a new chapter or two on the current WIP. Things don’t always go according to plan, though, and it can be disheartening not to make as much progress as you wanted. The trick is to establish a goal that is so easily attainable, it would be silly not to attempt it. Something like “write 100 words a day,” or “work on my WIP for 20 minutes” or even “write something, anything, each day.” Some days, you might barely manage to meet your goal. Other days, that 100 words turns into 2000. A habit tracker is a great tool, especially if you want to get into a writing routine. It doesn’t measure how many words you wrote or how long you spent; it simply tracks whether you worked on your project. You can make one easily in a journal or on a wall calendar by marking an X on the days you did something, whether that’s writing, brainstorming (with intention), or editing. Sometimes seeing a little line of X’s accumulate can be all the motivation you need to keep up the trend.
Writing at home can be frustrating, stressful, relaxing, rewarding, surprising… Some days are better than others—productivity-wise, mental health-wise, mood-wise—and that’s okay. Give yourself a little forgiveness when you can’t quite achieve your goals, even as you try to find ways to carve out a creative space for yourself in this new life we’re all living.
As always, happy writing!