TAKING CARE OF YOUR WRITER SELF
As someone who's been writing for longer than she wasn't, I've become very good at knowing when I need to take a step back and work on looking after myself. I've always been a big advocate for taking breaks, and how necessary they are, but when it comes to taking care of you as a writer, it can be hard sometimes to know where to start. Self-care is all very well and good, but if you don't actually know what works for you, then how do you know what to do, and how to go about it?
I thought I would give you some places to start. I've been lucky to land on things that work for me, and are things I can do even on bad health days. Of course some may be better than others, and you may find that some don't work for you and that's fine, but taking care of yourself is a very important part of being a writer, of being any kind of creative. We all have to refill that well somehow and it's a good idea to have multiple ways of doing so within your arsenal.
#1 READING IN WHATEVER WAY WORKS
I've never been someone who finds it easy to listen to audiobooks. I think it's because of my inability to concentrate, and also just that I've always done better with reading text than listening to it. My brain just works that way. So when I talk about reading, I usually mean Kindle or ebook format, but I will be clear that audiobooks count as reading, no matter what anyone says.
So if you find that you need some downtime, maybe find a book that isn't heavy on the thinking, and just lose yourself in someone else's world for a time. It can be a great idea to switch off the creator side of your brain, and just relax and get a chance to recharge using someone else's words. Whether that's with an audiobook, or a paperback, or an ebook. It all counts.
#2 GAMING IS VALID
I've never really been someone who does much gaming in the true sense of the word. I don't have a set up on my computer, and while my best friend is a big player of The Sims 2, I've never gotten as much out of it as she does. I get bored of it, and it just doesn't help me relax. Mobile games though? I have a ton of those, and will happily spend an hour or more just lost in levels and enjoying myself. For me it's more about getting to switch off the planning and writer side of my thoughts and instead focus on just having fun.
However you go about doing this, just like with reading, it's valid. I wouldn't call myself a gamer, but I do enjoy the art of it all. I'm not about to spend hours on a gaming console, but I can very much see the attraction and it's a great way to unwind.
#3 THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Now those who've been following me for a while know that I'm a wheelchair user, they might also know that in 2023 I started doing wheelchair walks. As in, going to our local part, and doing laps pushing myself around in my chair. Before this I couldn't really wheel all that much because I wasn't conditioned, and my lungs hate me, but since I started with just that one lap, I've built it up so that we go three days a week and I do a whole bunch of laps. Right now it's been a massive help with pain, and mental health issues, but it's also a good thing to just get moving.
You don't have to be going out there and doing marathons, even if it's just a fifteen minute walk, that's okay. Even if you're super slow, and you don't get heart-rate up, also good. It's all about just getting yourself moving, however that may be. If you are looking to start a routine, and I am by no means an expert, then start small and slowly, and I mean that, slowly build up. You might find it helps to refresh your thoughts and your mind and body as well.
So there we go, three ways that you can take care of your writer self. Burnout is not something anyone wants, and it sucks, and I hate it, as do most creatives, but the best way to avoid that is by taking time to recharge and allow yourself to unwind and breathe, however that may be.
Any questions? Lemme know in the comments!
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