As usual, you have wise advice. Being a writer doesn't mean we have to be writing every day or month or year. Living life feeds our writing, and if we decide not to write ever again, that's okay, too. Having written is a good thing. Trying writing and deciding to do something else instead is a good thing, too. Let's let go of the guilt. I'd love it if more people were reading instead and posting more reviews or sharing news of books or defending libraries and librarians who in turn support writers. There is so much to do in the writing industry that isn't just writing.
Thank you, Dan! I found this post very helpful, empowering, refreshing, and encouraging! I've always valued permissions that encourage free thinking! Owning your own pace honors both your work and your creative vision. Cheers to more guilt-free walks and skipping days!:))
My key takeaway from this? "You do not have to write. You can take a pause, a hiatus, or hang it up completely. This decision is yours to make, and needs to align to your personal needs and goals." It's someone giving me permission to take a pause, and to not feel as if I should be writing all the time. I guess sometimes we need someone ELSE to tell us it's okay to back away?
Thank you Dan. I actually wrote about my own burnout as a freelance journalist last week so this really resonated. I'm enjoying a sabbatical and writing in different formats as a form of creative recovery. It's letting me flex the creative muscle without it feeling like work--the change what you write piece of your advice.
You did write that "you are what you do" and I disagree with that. I think becoming so attached to labels like writer, journalist, or any other job is part of the problem, part of what leads to burnout. It places so much importance on the extrinsic value of compensation in all of this. Maybe you meant we are how we spend our days?
I so much identify with your thoughts, as do most, I'm older and all this simply does not workfor me. I think each of us has a side well filled with wonder and angst. Balance and originality rock. WE need to step out of any"best practice" since those who do are freed and listened to.
Thanks again and again.
Without pressure, I'm ready soon for your advocacy and community connection.
Thank you for being such an encouraging influence. We writers certainly need it. I recently posted some thoughts on burnout along with some of my artwork in my author newsletter. Here's the gist of it:
When we’ve lost inspiration and apathy incinerates us, is it a natural occurrence? Maybe we need to poke through the embers. Maybe we need to gaze into the ashes and find meaning again, like reading tea leaves. We might discover only a wisp of structure in a few sketchy flakes, but enough to build on.
Thank you for this thorough and engaging post. The “this is an opportunity” mindset is helpful in many areas of life. I also like the small steps approach to avoid overwhelm.
The other day I decided I wanted to write an essay that I would submit to places beyond this platform, and got into the whole swirl of "What if no one accepts it? What if it goes nowhere? What if it goes unread forever?!" (Important to note I haven't written a word yet.) Then I realized I have this place to sort of play with the ideas and release the tension a bit. I like that I've claimed this as a space to mess around with ideas—but do it thoughtfully—and it gives me a place to blow off steam creatively. I used to think I needed to "focus,"—and I do—but that original idea made me think I had to "get it right" (whatever "it" is). I don't; there's no such thing. And what I really don't need to do is narrow my opportunities to see where my mind wants to go.
Thanks for such insight. I enjoy reading your newsletters bc you have so many nuggets. I’ve written a lot about stress and burnout. Over the last few years, I’ve learned to listen to my body and read the signs a bit better. When I’m feeling like, “wait, why do I feel such resistance to this thing I’m doing or about to do? Am I procrastinating?” Before, I’d shrug this off and force myself to power through. I was unknowingly perpetuating feelings of overwhelm and burnout.
For me, learning to recognize the signs were super important. I’ve since learned to take more breaks, go on more walks, and connect to friends and family more. I’ve also been nicer to myself when it comes to creative writing and working on my memoir. If I can’t get to it today or tomorrow, so be it. 😑
Being a writer means there is something you want to give to society which would impact them . Having clarity on your message and making sure it gets to them is what would make you successful
Your "opportunity not obligation” alliteration is excellent and great to keep in mind. Obligation sure takes the fun out of it all! I used a similar line in the last years of my corporate life: "priorities not promises." I realized I could really do only one task effectively at a time, and whatever was the highest priority task is what should have my attention until I reached a point where it was either complete or where I had to wait for responses from others. Then I could move on. Yes, oftentimes there were multiple tasks that all needed a little effort on any given day, but even then they all had relative priorities. So, work on the highest priority one first if even for a limited time.
This saved me a lot of grief, especially the kind of late-night anguish that comes with overpromising for specific dates. I would tell my manager that they could certainly change the priorities of things I was working on, and though I'd promise I'd work hard on those tasks, I generally avoided making promises (that is, obligations) as to when I'd have something finished unless there was a true need (like an upcoming event).
Applause for the “opportunity not obligation” - deeply true! To be part of the world of “writing” is an honour. I remind myself of that a lot. 😊 then I read books, watch people , stare at art, walk dogs, plant flowers and pray. Inspiration is an active verb 😊
This is exactly where I am right now with overwhelm and, as with one of your previous posts, not even wanting to do social media on my upcoming novel (Daisy Sale Forever, for which I’ve done little to promote). I know you aren’t giving us a pass to put our books out there and not do anything to promote them, but I appreciate the comforting reminder that I don’t have to do any of this — only what I can feel blessed that I GET to do. It’s up to me to give myself a pass when I feel my schedule — and mental health — can’t take it.
Maybe there's only a subtle distinction between 'goal' and 'intention' but I think it's a useful one, Dan. 'Goal' has corporate connotations for me, similar to 'targets'. Before you know it, you're running calculations for what's left over at the end of the month. Dry stuff. Even as a senior copywriter I shrink from talk of goals, whereas having an 'intention' reminds me to stay focused on the job of communicating not just effectively but with something of my personality, my history - and so I feel more invested in the task.
As usual, you have wise advice. Being a writer doesn't mean we have to be writing every day or month or year. Living life feeds our writing, and if we decide not to write ever again, that's okay, too. Having written is a good thing. Trying writing and deciding to do something else instead is a good thing, too. Let's let go of the guilt. I'd love it if more people were reading instead and posting more reviews or sharing news of books or defending libraries and librarians who in turn support writers. There is so much to do in the writing industry that isn't just writing.
“Living life feeds our writing” - couldn’t agree more! 🙏🏼
Thank you Christine!!!
Thank you, Dan! I found this post very helpful, empowering, refreshing, and encouraging! I've always valued permissions that encourage free thinking! Owning your own pace honors both your work and your creative vision. Cheers to more guilt-free walks and skipping days!:))
Thanks Katerina!
My key takeaway from this? "You do not have to write. You can take a pause, a hiatus, or hang it up completely. This decision is yours to make, and needs to align to your personal needs and goals." It's someone giving me permission to take a pause, and to not feel as if I should be writing all the time. I guess sometimes we need someone ELSE to tell us it's okay to back away?
Indeed. Thanks Nancy!
Thank you Dan. I actually wrote about my own burnout as a freelance journalist last week so this really resonated. I'm enjoying a sabbatical and writing in different formats as a form of creative recovery. It's letting me flex the creative muscle without it feeling like work--the change what you write piece of your advice.
You did write that "you are what you do" and I disagree with that. I think becoming so attached to labels like writer, journalist, or any other job is part of the problem, part of what leads to burnout. It places so much importance on the extrinsic value of compensation in all of this. Maybe you meant we are how we spend our days?
Thank you Kelly! Yes, I meant how we spend our days, not a specific role or job.
This was what I needed to read today! Thanks so much for this Dan! I need to remember that I also don't write for everyone. Just for those who care.
Thanks Alford!
I so much identify with your thoughts, as do most, I'm older and all this simply does not workfor me. I think each of us has a side well filled with wonder and angst. Balance and originality rock. WE need to step out of any"best practice" since those who do are freed and listened to.
Thanks again and again.
Without pressure, I'm ready soon for your advocacy and community connection.
Thank you Jill!
Hi Dan,
Thank you for being such an encouraging influence. We writers certainly need it. I recently posted some thoughts on burnout along with some of my artwork in my author newsletter. Here's the gist of it:
When we’ve lost inspiration and apathy incinerates us, is it a natural occurrence? Maybe we need to poke through the embers. Maybe we need to gaze into the ashes and find meaning again, like reading tea leaves. We might discover only a wisp of structure in a few sketchy flakes, but enough to build on.
You can read the full post at: https://mannamarkbooks.com/firestarter/
Thank you Laurel!
Thank you for this thorough and engaging post. The “this is an opportunity” mindset is helpful in many areas of life. I also like the small steps approach to avoid overwhelm.
Thank you Terje!
I woke up and read this title as a pair of verbs rather than nouns and thought you’d given us an unusual set of commands!
Ha! Thanks Ally.
The other day I decided I wanted to write an essay that I would submit to places beyond this platform, and got into the whole swirl of "What if no one accepts it? What if it goes nowhere? What if it goes unread forever?!" (Important to note I haven't written a word yet.) Then I realized I have this place to sort of play with the ideas and release the tension a bit. I like that I've claimed this as a space to mess around with ideas—but do it thoughtfully—and it gives me a place to blow off steam creatively. I used to think I needed to "focus,"—and I do—but that original idea made me think I had to "get it right" (whatever "it" is). I don't; there's no such thing. And what I really don't need to do is narrow my opportunities to see where my mind wants to go.
Yes! Thanks so much Hope.
Thanks for such insight. I enjoy reading your newsletters bc you have so many nuggets. I’ve written a lot about stress and burnout. Over the last few years, I’ve learned to listen to my body and read the signs a bit better. When I’m feeling like, “wait, why do I feel such resistance to this thing I’m doing or about to do? Am I procrastinating?” Before, I’d shrug this off and force myself to power through. I was unknowingly perpetuating feelings of overwhelm and burnout.
For me, learning to recognize the signs were super important. I’ve since learned to take more breaks, go on more walks, and connect to friends and family more. I’ve also been nicer to myself when it comes to creative writing and working on my memoir. If I can’t get to it today or tomorrow, so be it. 😑
Nice! Thank you Claire!
Being a writer means there is something you want to give to society which would impact them . Having clarity on your message and making sure it gets to them is what would make you successful
Yes! Thanks.
Your "opportunity not obligation” alliteration is excellent and great to keep in mind. Obligation sure takes the fun out of it all! I used a similar line in the last years of my corporate life: "priorities not promises." I realized I could really do only one task effectively at a time, and whatever was the highest priority task is what should have my attention until I reached a point where it was either complete or where I had to wait for responses from others. Then I could move on. Yes, oftentimes there were multiple tasks that all needed a little effort on any given day, but even then they all had relative priorities. So, work on the highest priority one first if even for a limited time.
This saved me a lot of grief, especially the kind of late-night anguish that comes with overpromising for specific dates. I would tell my manager that they could certainly change the priorities of things I was working on, and though I'd promise I'd work hard on those tasks, I generally avoided making promises (that is, obligations) as to when I'd have something finished unless there was a true need (like an upcoming event).
Thank you Kiran! Fascinating to hear how you navigated priorities at work, I appreciate you sharing that!
Applause for the “opportunity not obligation” - deeply true! To be part of the world of “writing” is an honour. I remind myself of that a lot. 😊 then I read books, watch people , stare at art, walk dogs, plant flowers and pray. Inspiration is an active verb 😊
Thank you Rachel!
This is exactly where I am right now with overwhelm and, as with one of your previous posts, not even wanting to do social media on my upcoming novel (Daisy Sale Forever, for which I’ve done little to promote). I know you aren’t giving us a pass to put our books out there and not do anything to promote them, but I appreciate the comforting reminder that I don’t have to do any of this — only what I can feel blessed that I GET to do. It’s up to me to give myself a pass when I feel my schedule — and mental health — can’t take it.
Thank you Catherine! Congrats on your upcoming novel!
Maybe there's only a subtle distinction between 'goal' and 'intention' but I think it's a useful one, Dan. 'Goal' has corporate connotations for me, similar to 'targets'. Before you know it, you're running calculations for what's left over at the end of the month. Dry stuff. Even as a senior copywriter I shrink from talk of goals, whereas having an 'intention' reminds me to stay focused on the job of communicating not just effectively but with something of my personality, my history - and so I feel more invested in the task.
Yes! Thank you so much Nicholas.