Making Time for What You Love: Writing Tips for Busy Lives

It’s quite obvious that we can feel overwhelmed trying to juggle multiple tasks in our busy schedules. Sometimes, the things we truly want to do take a backseat to our professional responsibilities. Have you ever wondered why you always end up doing your professional work but, when it comes to chasing your hobbies or working on your passion like writing, you cut yourself short and find excuses? Maybe it’s because you’re working tirelessly and just need a break, unable to allow yourself to work on weekends, even though it’s for your own good. I totally understand.

If you’re facing a situation like that, you’ve come to the right place!

Let’s talk about balancing our hobbies or passion with our schedules while managing our daily responsibilities and giving our dreams the attention they deserve.

1. Set Priorities: Determine What’s Most Important

Let’s say you want to be an actor, but you’re offered a full-time job at a company with a great salary. You hesitate because you want to follow your passion for acting. The problem arises when you assess your priorities and realize that, at this moment, financial stability is more important than financial freedom. Only a job can ensure you get a paycheck at the end of the month.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t chase your dreams—you absolutely should. It’s about prioritizing what’s more important right now. If you’re financially stable and not worried about needing a job, then definitely pursue acting. But know that acting is unpredictable; some months you’ll have work, and other times you’ll struggle to find gigs.

If your financial stability isn’t at risk, you already know what to do. Always focus on your priorities and see what you desperately need at the moment; everything else can wait until you figure things out.

Prioritizing Takes the Burden Away

Prioritizing isn’t just about choosing between career and passion; it also applies to daily tasks. Sometimes, you might feel overwhelmed with everything on your plate—work deadlines, household chores, social obligations, and then there’s your writing. When you feel this way, take a step back and list your tasks. Identify which ones are urgent and which can wait. For instance, meeting a work deadline might be more urgent than catching up on a TV show, but writing a chapter of your book could be more fulfilling than scrolling through social media.

The key is to strike a balance between what you must do and what you love to do. Consider the Eisenhower Matrix, a time management tool that helps you prioritize tasks by urgency and importance. It categorizes tasks into four quadrants:

Applying this method can help you manage your time more effectively, ensuring that your writing doesn’t get lost in the chaos of daily life.

2. Create a Routine: Stick to a Daily Writing Schedule

If you promise to work out everyday and end up working out four times a week, that doesn’t make you less consistent. Let go of the belief that consistency means showing up every single day. It’s more about maintaining a realistic routine.

So, if you plan to write twice a week, stick to it. Adjust your schedule to fit your writing sessions. Maybe wake up an hour earlier or write before you sleep. By doing this, you’ll create a healthy relationship with your passion and are more likely to stick with it.

Creating a routine doesn’t mean you have to rigidly adhere to the same schedule every day. Life is unpredictable, and flexibility is essential. Instead, aim for a general structure that allows you to allocate specific times for writing. For example, you might decide to write every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 PM to 9 PM. This way, you have dedicated writing time while still accommodating other responsibilities.

Incorporate writing into your daily habits. Just like brushing your teeth or having breakfast, make writing a part of your routine. It doesn’t have to be a long session; even 15 minutes a day can add up over time. Consistency, after all, is about regular, repeated effort rather than overwhelming yourself with marathon sessions. The only way you can stick your habits is by romanticizing your life in a that it doesn’t seem like work at all.

3. Break Tasks into Chunks: Divide Larger Projects into Smaller, Manageable Tasks

Instead of waiting to celebrate after finishing a book in six months, celebrate each chapter. Breaking tasks into smaller milestones makes them easier to achieve and less overwhelming. This approach gives your brain the dopamine it needs, keeping you motivated and excited about your work.

Let’s dive deeper into why breaking tasks into chunks is effective. Our brains are wired to seek quick rewards. When faced with a large project, like writing a book, it’s easy to feel daunted and procrastinate. However, by setting smaller, achievable goals, you create a series of mini-rewards that keep you motivated.

For instance, if you’re working on a novel, break it down into manageable parts: outline, character development, writing the first draft of each chapter, revising, and so on. Each completed task gives you a sense of accomplishment and propels you forward.

Consider using tools like the Pomodoro Technique, where you work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This method helps maintain focus and productivity while preventing burnout. You can adjust the intervals based on what works best for you.

4. Delegate: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

There’s a story about a man waiting for God’s help during a flood. He rejected rescue offers, expecting divine intervention, and eventually perished. In heaven, God told him, “I sent you those rescuers, but you refused them.”

When overwhelmed with non-writing responsibilities, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Join a community of writers or follow supportive blogs. If you still need assistance, reach out to me on Instagram—we’ll find a solution together. You’ve got this!

Delegating isn’t just about offloading tasks; it’s about freeing up mental space so you can focus on what truly matters. If household chores or administrative tasks are eating into your writing time, consider asking family members for help or hiring a service if it’s within your budget.

In a professional setting, learn to delegate tasks that others can handle. This doesn’t mean shirking responsibilities but rather ensuring that your workload is manageable. Effective delegation involves clear communication and trust. When you delegate a task, provide clear instructions and set expectations, but also trust the person to get the job done.

Remember, asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a strategy for managing your time and energy more effectively. Surround yourself with a support system—friends, family, colleagues, or a writing group—who understand and support your goals.

5. Self-Care: Ensure You’re Taking Care of Your Mental and Physical Health

It’s ridiculous how we prioritize basic routines like eating, brushing our teeth, and showering, yet neglect exercising or mental self-care.

Five minutes of breathing exercises or meditation can significantly impact your well-being. Embrace boredom occasionally, talk to yourself, understand your struggles, and focus on positive aspects.

Human beings are wired to think about worst-case scenarios as a survival mechanism. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Focus on what you have rather than what you lack, and your mindset will shift.

Self-care isn’t just about physical health; it’s about nurturing your mental and emotional well-being. Writing, especially when pursued alongside other responsibilities, can be mentally taxing. Ensure you’re giving yourself breaks to recharge.

Incorporate physical activity into your routine. Exercise not only keeps you healthy but also boosts your mood and energy levels. Whether it’s a daily walk, yoga, or a full workout, find what works for you and stick to it.

Mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling, or simply spending time in nature can help clear your mind and reduce stress. Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s reading, cooking, or spending time with loved ones.

If you’re struggling with mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Therapy or counseling can provide valuable tools and support to navigate life’s challenges. And remember, it’s okay to take a break from writing if you need it. Your health and well-being come first.

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Final Thoughts

Balancing writing with daily life is about managing your time and energy wisely. By setting priorities, creating realistic routines, breaking tasks into manageable chunks, asking for help, and taking care of yourself, you can achieve a harmonious balance.

Before you go, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this post. Comment below and make sure you follow me on Instagram to stay connected. If you ever need writing assistance or someone to talk to, let me be your go-to person.

Ultimately, you have control over many aspects of your life. If something isn’t within your control, acceptance is key to finding peace. Focus on what you can change and embrace what you cannot.

Thank you for reading, and remember, I’m here for you. Let’s make those dreams a reality, one step at a time.

Cheers!