But if I’m being honest with y’all, I’m also kinda tired and just wanted to introduce something that was easy to write. Check out the three books and the podcast below that are definitely worth your time and attention span.

A History of the World in Six Plagues: How Contagion, Class, and Captivity Shaped Us, from Cholera to COVID-19

Okay, so I’m super into history and books that help explain a moment in time or a series of events that altered how humanity functions. “A History of the World in Six Plagues” is written by Haitian American writer Edna Bonhomme. What are her credentials for writing this? Well, she’s a historian, a former biologist, and a journalist.

Bonhomme’s book spans centuries, digging into how disease affected people's lives and who had the short end of the stick in society (this is putting it mildly). The book is equal parts heartbreaking and eye-opening.

To read more about the book or get it, click here.

The Unwinding of the Miracle: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Everything That Comes After

This book has taken me a while to get through because it's so heartbreaking and moving. Julie Yip-Williams penned a book that forces you to put your life, emotions, and priorities into perspective as she navigates her way through her terminal illness.

Yip-Williams discusses her family’s journey to the United States from Vietnam, how her paternal grandmother told her parents to do away with her after being born with a degree of blindness, and how she traveled the world and became her own person in the process.

Y’all, I cried. As someone who loved and lost someone to cancer, to hear her perspective as a mother, wife, sister, and daughter as the disease progresses left me in tatters. Sadly, she died two years before her book hit bookshelves, so she never got to hear how her story would move people.

To read more about the book or get it, click here.

The Culture of the Cloth

Podcasts are great, but every time I see one that’s close to an hour long, I sometimes can’t bring myself to listen to it. That said, Veronica Tucker’s podcast, which I recently found because Instagram showed me a video about something she was saying about Ada Lovelace (the first computer programmer) caught my attention.

The Culture of the Cloth dives into the history of clothing and how “every fibre, every colour, every silhouette” is telling you something about “power, politics, and whose story got told.” Yes, another history item… I told you I was into history, didn’t I?

Her episodes are on the short end, typically between ten and 20 minutes, with the exception of one that’s about 54 minutes long (that one’s an interview, I believe).

Listen to her weave through history anywhere you listen to your podcasts.

The Book of Awesome Latinas: From Passionate Pioneers to Unstoppable Innovators

So, this one’s a shameless plug, but can you really blame me? The history lover in me co-authored a book about Latinas and their impact on history. In it, and I profile 74 Latinas and Indigenous women from across the United States and Latin America.

The book spans 500 years and features women from the past and present to show others that we’ve been in this since the beginning of time. Some of the women we feature are Rita Moreno, June Beer, Marta Silva de Vieira, and Salomé Ureña, to name a few.

To read more about the book or get it, click here.

Yours in the mess & the making,

M

If this is your corner of the interwebs, stay awhile. New posts a few times a month.

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Were we meant to be juggling so much? And if we weren’t, what is life supposed to be or look like? People say that there isn’t a format to life that you need to follow, but when people bring up the topic of what life should look like, why does it feel sometimes that we’re missing something? Then you hear about all these ways to optimize your life, but when you sit down and take them in, they sound just as exhausting.

The constant barrage of things keeps us in a state of fatigue

I feel like there are so many things coming from so many angles. It’s like a game of dodgeball that I never agreed to be a part of, but life decided it would enroll me in for the plot. At this point in my life, I’m living through a pretty challenging season, and it’s been difficult for me not to feel like I am treading water while little kids are throwing lemons at me.

A lot of people are in a similar figurative boat. They are trying to figure out so many moving pieces in their life and trying to not feel like they are failing completely at one thing or another. Then fold into that what’s happening in the world, rising prices of everything, and how all of that affects our mental state. Yes, there are things you can do to help mitigate what gets to you and when, but sometimes even those tactics fall short.

I’ve yet to meet someone who isn’t bouncing between feeling heavy or positive. We are all just trying to get through the next minute, day, week, month, and year. The weekends don’t feel long enough because even those are filled with a million things: errands, things with the kids, family events, and/or outings with friends.

When do we rest, and why does it seem like we have to fight so hard to do so? Why has this become the acceptable level of living? Why does rest have to feel like something we need to pencil in, because if not, we won’t do it?

The fatigue feels soul deep and like it doesn’t want to go anywhere

So, saying that this level of fatigue that comes when you’re living in survival mode will be cured with rest would be doing everyone a huge disservice. I’ve learned that this isn’t the way. So, what is? I don’t know that there is a perfect system, and it often depends on how you can move out of whatever is holding you down.

As someone who walks this life with depression as a companion, movement helps me a lot. That stagnant energy is almost like a life sentence, and when it sinks its claws into me, I have to fight to release myself from it. But sometimes, fighting feels like a lot, so what does someone do then? Keep fighting? I don’t have the perfect answer for this, but if you have any ideas, please feel free to share.

I know this is a season many of us are living through, and that it is temporary as we make our way to something else. But man, do I hate being and feeling this tired and fatigued (and maybe you do too?).

They say there is strength in numbers, and maybe the cure is surrounding yourself with people who understand and are actively (at their own pace) trying to figure out a way to not stay in this season. Community heals, and maybe that’s what we need at a time when life feels like too much.

Yours in the mess & the making,
M

If this is your corner of the interwebs, stay awhile. New posts every week.

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Regardless of the path you take in life, there will always be hurdles to overcome and difficulties that can make or break you. Martin, for all his funny antics, is someone who is brimming with joy and positivity (and not the toxic kind) despite the curveballs life has thrown him.

He has known grief from a young age, losing his eldest brother as a young teen, then his mother to cancer at 18, and his father to health complications at 20. Later in life, his wife, the second part of his soul, passed away from cancer. Then, earlier this year, his daughter passed away. But, through it all, he hasn’t lost the spark that has found him surrounded by people who adore his genuine good cheer.

Failure is 98% part of the journey

Among all the famous faces that appear in the documentary, John Mulaney stepped up to the plate to share his experience with Martin. At one point, John specifically talks about his sitcom “Mulaney” and the sage words Martin told him when negative reviews were coming in. He tells John, “This is what it is. 98% of it is failure. This is what the job is.”

Martin, who has had his fair share of failed projects, reminded John that failing is part of the journey. In the documentary, the famed comedian discusses how, even if a film takes a certain direction once it’s released, if making it isn’t fun or joyous, there’s something missing from the process.

The “Only Murders in the Building” actor has walked away with lifelong friends, collaborators, and memories from everything he has worked on. And shouldn’t that be one of the goals of what we do every day? In an era of so many looking to redefine what success means, Martin followed a path of his own and honored what was truly important to him.

Failure is sometimes the vehicle through which we learn to redefine our goals, inspirations, and motivations. It’s where growth and evolution happen. Not to say that wins can’t teach us this, they can, but failure keeps us on our toes. It keeps us in a state of learning.

Failing is seen as scary (I know I have felt this way before) and as something to be avoided. But why has our society fixated on this? Who decided that we shouldn’t fail? Why was that decided? Martin’s documentary reminded me that it is 100% okay to fail because it is simply just a part of our experience in this life.

Joy is something you should never rob yourself of or allow anyone to steal

As someone who loves watching documentaries, I can say you really never know what you’re gonna get from them. This one was no exception. One of the most striking things for me was how joyful he is, and how everyone who appeared in the documentary echoed this sentiment when speaking about him.

Martin is a masterclass in never losing your sense of joy among the valleys of life. Everything he does, from hosting his friends to fostering a fun on-set environment, is a pure reflection of his infectious joy and love. As someone who long ago decided to follow the pull of joy rather than the pursuit of happiness, I found this so reaffirming to see.

It’s not to say he hasn’t held grief in his life, but rather that in spite of that grief, he has held onto his joy and zest for life. That is far more difficult to do than it is given credit for, and I am saying that as someone who lives with depression. We live in a world where we will repress ourselves because we feel shame for our joy (or happiness) while so many others are suffering.

But, we humans are dual creatures, and just because you hold rage for systematic discrimination doesn’t mean you can’t hold joy for your latest win this week. We lose when we let go of our joy, and thanks to Martin, I was reminded of the purpose I chose long ago.

Your heart needs to be open to the different lessons life will speak into your soul

I’ll be frank: I didn’t go into this documentary thinking this would be my takeaway, or that the universe/God/life would bestow this reminder or lesson I needed to hear at this particular moment. But I’ve learned that when something speaks to me, I need to listen very carefully. This lesson landed on my lap when I was ready to hear this message.

As an entrepreneur (still getting used to this title), I see failure as a big part of the journey. Some things work, others don’t, and serve as a course correction. What makes it that much more difficult is that it’s a solitary path, and no one is there to cheer you on during the wins (which leads us to focus solely on the losses).

But, if I’ve learned anything from Martin, it’s that along with failure, there are people you meet along the way who come along for the ride. And those people are the ones who intensify the joy.

Yours in the pursuit of the perfectly placed comma,

M

I’m an editor, which means two things: I can help you write, and I can help you see what you’ve already mastered. If you’re stuck, chewing on an idea, or looking for someone to help you make your words finally click, I’m your gal.

I can help you shape and refine your work and voice, and learn to trust them. I’m really good at helping people “get out” of their heads. Whenever you’re ready, we can chat through what you’re working on to untangle it together.

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Years later, while working as an editor for People Chica at People en Español, I received an Advanced Reader Copy of “Clap When You Land” by the talented Elizabeth Acevedo. Guys, it blew what I knew about poetic writing out of the water. Not only was the story one I could follow, but it was also one that I felt in my soul. That book showed me something pivotal. It made me realize that I was wrong about poetry and how it isn’t a one-size-fits-all medium (like all literature, if we’re being frank).

I placed an undue burden on a medium I didn’t fully understand

When people think of poetry, they think of what we are taught in school. It’s our first time being exposed to it, and what we are shown is often a “classic” that, while the heralds of poetic prose highly regard them, many of us plebes might not be able to wrap our heads around. Which is fine, given I now think of it much like I do TV shows. While one person adores “Love Island,” another can’t get enough of documentaries.

So many of the “standard” versions of classic prose don’t always look like some of the people who are consuming it. And it’s not that the poet can’t produce work that doesn’t speak to me or you, it’s just that the jam they are making isn’t something we want in our sandwich. And that is okay.

But this is why it’s so important to experience poetry that comes from people who do look like us, sound like us, or have the same references we do. I may have serious differences when compared to Rupi Kaur, but “the sun and her flowers” is a poetic moment I won’t ever forget. While “Clap When You Land” is a fictional narrative, Elizabeth writes it in a way that reads like a poem. You can’t read that book and not be hooked. And don’t get me started on Amanda Gorman.

Poetry’s biggest element is that it makes us feel something immense, immediate, and powerful by using the least amount of words necessary. The lines aren’t long and overexplain; they allow the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Poetry is a lesson in writing economy

I know you’re thinking, “Mirtle, what is writing economy?” Well, my gentle reader, I am so happy you asked. Writing economy is the practice of writing to “haunt” versus writing to create “fluff.” Why write a whole dissertation when only a few paragraphs are all you need? When you have writing economy mastered, you own the discipline required to move from overexplaining to revealing what is necessary.

When done right, you avoid unnecessarily taxing the reader’s focus and respecting that they have the ability to “pick up what you are putting down.” You are leaving enough wiggle room and white space for the consumer of your writing to bring in their own lived experience and knowledge, something that will only elevate your writing. In poetry, a single sentence can carry the weight of entire paragraphs, so who’s to say you can’t apply that to a blog post or newsletter?

What writing economy comes down to is great, solid editing. A lot of people think that editing is just polishing silver, when in reality it’s about revealing the statues that lie beneath the marble. It’s not about seeking perfection, but rather looking for precision in your words. There’s a massive difference between a room that is totally cluttered and a gallery that maximizes space so everything shines.

While I love to write, editing is where my heart sings. I’m not just cutting words out of a hard-worked draft from a client. I am helping to clear a path so that their words reach their potential, while minimizing friction for the reader. The writing philosophy that poetry lives by is one I like to live by and love introducing to clients.

Yours in the pursuit of the perfectly placed comma,

M

I’m an editor, which means two things: I can help you write, and I can help you see what you’ve already mastered. If you’re stuck, chewing on an idea, or looking for someone to help you make your words finally click, I’m your gal.

I can help you shape and refine your work and voice, and learn to trust them. I’m really good at helping people “get out” of their heads. Whenever you’re ready, we can chat through what you’re working on to untangle it together.

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How do you wake up and do what you need to do every day and try to show up in spaces you are needed when the world feels heavy? How do we maintain any semblance of faith and assurance that what we are doing matters? How do we come to terms with separations, loss of life, and unnecessary trauma being inflicted upon vulnerable communities?

It’s tough, and chances are it will get worse before it gets better. But in these moments, we need to come together and draw hope from our communities. Because even with all the bad, there is still so much good happening.

I’ve wrestled with whether what I am doing matters or not

Man, this has been a tough one to navigate. Watching the horrors pop up on my feeds and in the news has affected my tender heart in a way that I never expected to feel during my lifetime. But I guess that’s the thing about “unprecedented times,” you typically aren’t supposed to anticipate their arrival.

In the last few weeks, I’ve seen so many things that say, “Art is resistance” or “We need art now more than ever.” But there are some days when creating feels heavy, and you don’t know where to start. How do you begin to paint your sorrow when there is so much sorrow that will go unnoticed? When does it get to be too much? How do you do this and not fall deeper into the ocean of emotions that threatens to overwhelm you?

But, much like the statements I’ve seen online, now is the time to share that sorrow and paint every single wall, sidewalk, street, and building with it. It needs to be released into the wild for people to see because chances are it will reach the eyes and hearts of people who need it. Art is a form of resistance because it highlights and humanizes the horrors of reality.

It holds us in place and dares us to look away. Art challenges, goads, and provokes us until the emotions bubble out of us and spill onto the floor. It reminds us that beauty and pain can coexist. As a writer, you always wonder who will see your work and think it matters. You wake up and pour your heart and soul into the words you put on a page because you know that if just one person sees it and feels seen, then all the vulnerability was worth it.

Yes, pushing forward feels heavy, but we owe it to ourselves and our communities to keep going

We should never discount the way we feel. Our rage, sorrow, pain, despair, and occasional hopelessness are all valid. Talk to your friends, loved ones, or a mental health professional about what you may be experiencing. Don’t keep it in. Fight for yourself because you are worth it, but also because your everyday efforts make a difference in the lives of others.

Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and founders hold up our communities in such beautiful ways. They are the pillars of our societies that keep the world moving forward. What you do matters just as much as what you feel. Don’t ever discount how much power you hold. But also give yourself grace on the tough days.

We aren’t machines, and it will drive you to burnout if you don’t take moments to step away from all the craziness. Take the time, renew yourself, and never lose your sense of joy. Your bounce-back game is so much better than you give yourself credit for.

Resources:

Know your rights.

The National Immigrant Justice Center has ways you can donate and support.

Create a Meal Train for someone who can’t/is afraid to leave their home.

The National Immigration Law Center has more ways that you can help.

Immigrants Rising shares a list of free mental health resources for anyone who needs them.

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Creative beginnings are quiet, hesitant, and probative. They start in a place filled with curiosity and trepidation. When the start is slow and careful, you’re able to build a foundation that has stamina and the ability to support whatever changes you choose to make further down the line. A work of art or a piece of writing doesn’t need to be perfect from the onset because editing will help it get to where it needs to go.

That hesitation and uncertainty you feel is 100% part of the process

Let’s take this Substack as an example. I knew I wanted to create a space where I could talk about writing, the creative process, and how to make both less scary for people who don’t see themselves as a “writer.” My initial ideas were all over the place, and I was writing about things that may not have aligned with my end goal. This Substack has had three names (the current one being the most recent change).

Here’s the thing: throughout that entire process, my uncertainty opened me up to one major lesson. I was able to learn. My uncertainty allowed me to gather the information I needed about myself and what I wanted this to become. Did I hesitate over many ideas at the start? Hell yeah. But I choose not to look at that as a form of fear. I have reframed that as care being poured into what I wanted to do.

Hesitation means you’re paying attention to the feel and taste of something. I have foregone the myth that to start writing something, I need to feel fully 100% confident in it. I usually never do until the end because you never know where the story will take you when you write that first word. Waiting to feel ready and confident will keep you from actually starting, which has happened to me countless times.

Growing your writing skills is the same as developing your muscles. When you first start running or going to the gym, you don’t necessarily start off confident. But you do know that once you start, it will get easier, and over time, you will develop the skill in your own unique way. So, I want to remind you that there is nothing wrong with the way you’re starting. What truly matters is that you have begun the journey.

Humble beginnings are your way of building your base for self-trust

Writing does not need to be intense. There is no need for you to be driving yourself crazy, mad, or insane because all that does is create a crazy amount of pressure on something that’s in its infancy. Safety in your writing and creative process comes from consistency, not force. You can’t learn to trust yourself if you’re so focused on being intense.

Your creativity will never go on hiatus if it isn’t living under constant pressure to deliver a proof of concept. The proof will build slowly through conscious and protected practice. To create something is to tap into your imagination and emotion, so if that’s blocked, you’re going to find yourself in a pickle.

2025 was a year that I struggled, sometimes violently, to tap into my creativity. I was forcing it to produce, which, in turn, caused everything I did to suck. I didn’t trust myself or my skills and wanted to have these huge wins in my writing. None of that happened because I refused to lean into my uncertainty and take a hard look at what I really needed. What did I need? To go back to basics and start from a place of experience, experimentation, and humility.

If your beginning (or return) feels shaky, hesitant, and uncertain, I think that’s the whole point. A true beginning is one that you won’t abandon; it’s one that you can come back to time and time again, feeling safe.

I’m an editor, which means two things: I can help you write, and I can help you see what you’ve already mastered. If you’re stuck, chewing on an idea, or looking for someone to help you make your words finally click, I’m your gal. I can help you shape, refine, and learn to trust your work and voice. I’m really good at helping people “get out” of their heads. Whenever you’re ready, we can chat through what you’re working on so we can untangle it together.

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Those moments bring us strength, clarity, and let our brains rest. But for some reason, we allow comparison to be the thief of our joy. Despite having grown up hating poetry, I love to write in poetic prose whenever I can. I first started in junior college, but quickly stopped. The pause lasted from 2010 to 2025.

A younger version of me would have guilted myself into thinking, “I should have kept writing.” Still, the reality is that I needed that time to grow and evolve as a person and as a writer (especially since I didn’t consider myself a writer at the time).

That pause was a necessary season I needed, and not me failing as a writer

Am I saying that your pause needs to be the same? No, but I use my experience as an anecdote that a lot can happen in the pause to help your writing grow. For some reason, we like to treat not living in a consistent state of writing as a failure of sorts. When did we decide that taking breaks was counterproductive to our growth? Have you noticed how your writing gets when you haven’t taken adequate breaks or extended pauses to refresh?

We aren’t “falling off,” “behind,” or anything that negative hag in our heads wants to convince us of. It’s simply not true, and I am giving you permission to let go of that guilt. Our best writing comes when we are in a flow, not when we are pressuring ourselves to meet some made-up ideal, goal, or expectation.

For me, protecting my pauses and filling them with things that bring me joy have become part of my writing practice. Writing requires me to be in my head and to be thinking about what I am going to say, how I am going to say it, and the structure of the sentences I will use. I am thinking of sentence structure as I speak to people because I suppose my brain thinks it’s a fun way to pass the time.

I’m not here to tell you that pauses happen for a reason; sometimes they don’t. Sometimes it’s just something that happens, and you have to find a way to ground yourself in the moment. But if you’re anything like me, you want to figure out the puzzle in the moment. What is this trying to clarify? Has something changed in me that I need to step away? Who am I when I come back?

The poems I wrote as a college student were so very angsty. Now? They feel more adult, grounded, and full of hope and love for myself. How could I have failed as a writer if that pause caused me to become a better writer?

The moment I do come back to writing isn’t one that’s loud or structured, it’s one that’s gentle and intuitive

How you come back to writing is truly personal and intimate, so I refuse to give you a “how to” because it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. I can share some things I do that help me when I feel the fire to write beginning to light up again. Take what resonates with you, leave what doesn’t, but ultimately do what feels right in the end.

I am not someone who rushes into anything, so I need to set up a writing ritual that eases me into it. To me, my writing ritual is sacred, and I need to treat it as such. It helps me get into the writing mindset so I can move into the state I need to write a fire Substack post, edit a client’s work, draft an article for a publication, or write something for Latinidad Collective. Without it, I am all over the place and end up staring at the computer (which adds to the frustration).

When you start to write again after a pause, there is nothing you need to redeem. You aren’t broken or less for not having written for an extended period. Writing is something you return to when the time is right. It is not something you have to prove your undying devotion to by collecting baby tears and eye of newt for a spell. So, stop punishing yourself for something totally normal. You’re only human.

I’m an editor, which means two things: I can help you write, and I can help you see what you’ve already mastered. If you’re stuck, chewing on an idea, or looking for someone to help you make your words finally click, I’m your gal. I can help you shape, refine, and learn to trust your work and voice. I’m really good at helping people “get out” of their heads. Whenever you’re ready, we can chat through what you’re working on so we can untangle it together.

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For the longest time, the concept of hustle culture has been closely associated with the United States. We work, work, work, harder than Rihanna, only to get pennies on the dollar. Yet, when we start to fight the current and stop drinking the Kool-Aid, we are looked down upon because that's not the norm. But when we break free from this norm, we experience a sense of relief and freedom that is truly empowering.

Thankfully, in recent years, more and more people have stepped away from hustle culture and stopped glamorizing something that has literally been shown to impact our mental and physical health negatively. Burnout isn't for the weak; it's for the ones who don't take care of themselves.

Burnout is the silent menace so many try to run from, but so few can even escape

At some point, we as a society internalized the need always to be available for work. Understandably, there are some cases where it's impossible to avoid this. But you're not alone in this struggle. Many of us question why we feel guilty when we take time for ourselves. It's a shared experience, and you're not alone in feeling this way.

There are scores of people who have heard the dreaded, "Well, you're just not that dedicated." Unfair, but there are bosses (not leaders) who will say this in a way to "motivate" their employees. The opposite always happens.

When we are overworked, we become demoralized, fatigued, and our attention span fractures. Our output decreases significantly, and it impacts our ability to perform our jobs effectively. These are all byproducts of the trauma that hustle culture leaves in its wake.

If our body is rejecting something and finding its own way of showing you that the answer is "no," why are we so set on saying "go?"

To show up for our business, career, or life, we need presence over pressure. Waking up at 4 am because you saw someone on the internet doing it doesn't mean you need to do it as well. In my case, I need slow mornings.

I am not the type of person who can wake up and function at 100%, run a full marathon, and paint the outside of a house all before breakfast. Yet, somehow, I feel like someone out there would probably say, "If you wanted to, you could."

But that's the thing, I don't want to do it because I know it will make me miserable. When I am miserable from burnout, everything around me falls apart. This is why I will always choose "measured and soft," instead of "ignited and hard."

Just because softness is at the root of your strategy, doesn't mean you won't accomplish your goals

Softness looks different for everyone. For me, that's slow mornings with tea, my emotional support water bottle, and journaling. Some others might be into running in the mornings, taking a long bath, or just sipping coffee in silence. It needs to make sense for you and your unique needs.

What I've learned from this approach is that my nervous system isn't on overdrive and, for my career, I can show up in all my creative glory. You can't write if you're trapped in a cycle of anxiety because your nervous system is shot.

When my body tells me "no," I make sure to listen (mind you, it will take you a couple of tries before you perfect it).

At its core, softness is about giving your brain and body the ability to reset. It's nuanced and isn't about playing small. You aren't setting fire to your productivity if you begin to incorporate 30-minute breaks every two hours of work time. In some cases, consistent, intentional breaks have proven to increase productivity.

Friend, you're not a machine. You don't need to be hustling 100% of the time. I'm going to reshare a quote I used in another Substack post recently: Take the break, or the break will take you.

Making room to rest and reset can end up being your best friend, but first, you need to let go of the fear

In no way, shape, or form are you "less" if you switch it up and decide you don't want to spend your life hustling. In our heart of hearts, we all want to live that soft life. However, to make it happen, we need to be intentional about it and decide that we aren't going to glamorize something that will eventually send us over the edge.

So, I'll leave you with these three prompts to help get you started.

• When do you feel most grounded in your work, and what helps you stay there?

• What would your schedule look like if it prioritized sustainability over speed?

• What are you afraid might happen if you slowed down?

As a writing consultant, I'm here to help you write with clarity, ease, and confidence. If you're craving structure, motivation, or simply someone to bounce ideas off of, we should chat.

It's been proven that when you show up genuinely, it connects with people. The online landscape is filled with so much noise, so when someone shows up as their most genuine self (in a profesh way, of course), it resonates with their audience.

Your story has power, which is why it should always be embedded into the strategy of your online brand and business. When we shed the heavy cloak of business funnels and content calendars, our wings spread, and things really start to take off.

Sharing your story can give you a case of the scaries, but the payoff is significant in the long run

I won't sit here and tell you that it's easy to do this. For me, I've struggled for years with how to show up in a way that feels like an honest extension of myself, without selling my soul to the algorithm. And, to be frank, I'm still figuring that out as I go.

Like me, my writing and my needs evolve with time. Our personal stories aren't linear or stagnant. They are ever-changing. As time passes, our experiences become richer and our wisdom grows. Your writing should reflect that.

Heck, it's okay to pivot how you want to show up within the same week. Embrace the evolution of your story, it's what makes it unique and compelling.

In the moments that I have shown up in my purest form, talking about the things that are truly meaningful to my life experience, like my depression, the feedback and interactions that I have had with people have been nothing short of beautiful.

That being said, not everything needs to be shared. It is okay to keep some private things to yourself. There is no guilt in how you show up; the important thing is that you simply do. When you start incorporating this into your business's overall strategy and content, you begin to lead with integrity, depth, and authority.

Leading with your story helps you build trust

Building trust in this way helps your brand establish itself in a credible manner that will not only leave you feeling seen but also make the people you are looking to interact with feel seen. Real, genuine authority isn't loud; it's consistent, truthful, and clear. We all have what it takes to show up like this; we just need to give ourselves the permission to do so.

You don't need fancy offers or words in your messaging. People can tell when the copy you're writing isn't in your voice or rooted in your story. Great writing is the kind of writing that captivates because it doesn't shy away from the truth that's in your soul. And, let's be real, when we force things, it shows. A lot.

It's crucial to figure out how you define being purposely vulnerable in your writing. There is a careful dance when it comes to figuring out when you're being too vague, too dramatic, or too focused on gain. We all love solutions-based storytelling, but you gotta be aware of when it is being performative.

Leading with a story instead of tactics matters and can make a difference when it comes to setting yourself up for success and standing out from the crowd.

By "leading with a story," I mean using your personal experiences and journey as the foundation of your brand, rather than just focusing on marketing tactics. Your story can help you filter in the right people.

It can also help you avoid burnout because you're not playing a role that requires you to remember a script of sorts. People can tell when something is built from the inside out versus being built from the outside in.

It's time to reflect on the story that only you can tell

I'll keep this section short, sweet, and to the point. Writing requires a level of introspection, and so should your story. Here are four gentle prompts to help you get started.

• What's a story from your journey that you rarely share but has shaped everything?

• What might shift if you shared more of your real "why" instead of hiding behind the polished version?

• What story do you want your business or writing to tell for you, even when you're not in the room?

• What's a part of your story you've been editing out, and what might open up if you left it in?

Sitting down to write doesn't (and shouldn't) need to feel like a visit to the dentist for a root canal. Let's collaborate and help you find a rhythm that helps spark your creativity in a way that feels authentic and fits your life.

As a writing consultant, I'm here to help you write with clarity, ease, and confidence. If you're craving structure, motivation, or simply someone to bounce ideas off of, we should chat.

Vacations and days off have become something society has convinced itself it needs to earn. When we only guide ourselves by the grind and the hustle, we skip out on something vital: Rest keeps us from going crazy.

You’re not abandoning anything when you take time to rest

Have you ever noticed how your best ideas come to you in the shower or the moments right before you fall asleep? That’s because those are the times when your brain is in the 'processing' phase, not the 'doing' phase. It’s when your mind is free to wander and make connections, rather than being focused on a task. So, if you want to be more creative, it's not about working harder, it's about resting smarter.

A few years ago, I left an employer where I found myself overworked and seriously underpaid (I mean, who hasn’t?). I was a contracted employee, and I didn’t feel I could take time off because if I didn’t work the hours, that meant less pay at the end of the week. So, I worked and worked. It didn’t matter that I disconnected on weekends; I was still exhausted and burned out.

Upon leaving the employer, my body, which had been in survival mode the entire time, began to decompress in the most magnificent and heartbreaking way. I had this fatigue that plagued me for a whole month. I left the employer because my body had been pushed to the brink, and now my body was making sure that the rest I conned myself out of taking was being had.

We aren’t machines, and shouldn’t treat rest like it’s some hot commodity we can’t afford. I recently came across a quote that said, “Take the break, or the break will take you.” Not the hottest piece of poetic prose, but it’s catchy. It gets the point across.

My above anecdote? It’s not the first time I’ve noticed that happening to my body. Still, it was the last time I would ever allow myself not to take meaningful and intentional rest.

How many times have you driven yourself into burnout and then crashed? How many of those times has your anxiety and nervous system become so unregulated that you felt you would burst? It's time to stop treating rest like a reward and start seeing it as a tool. A tool that can help you stay productive, focused, and in control. So, why not start using it that way?

Resting isn’t the opposite of working, but rather an integral part of it

Everyone’s situation is different, and it would be incredibly tone-deaf to tell someone with certain restrictions to take time off when they can’t. That’s why rest has to be meaningful to you and your daily experience on this planet. In what ways can you disconnect and allow yourself and your brain the time to breathe?

Look for opportunities to find soft spots in your schedule. In other words, where can you find a chance to show up for rest in a way that doesn’t drive you into an overwhelmed state?

Does that mean going no-tech an hour before bed? Maybe reading a book borrowed from the library is more your jam. Is it a 10-minute walk after lunch? Or perhaps it's a yoga session, a meditation break, or a creative hobby that you enjoy. The key is to find what works for you and make it a regular part of your routine.

The world wants us to think that rest detracts from our ability to create, rather than embracing the idea that it facilitates growth and building. I understand that finding time for rest can be challenging, especially in a society that glorifies busyness.

But remember, you don’t need to earn something that’s a right, but you need to be honest about what it actually looks like for you. It's okay to prioritize your well-being and make time for rest, even when it feels like there's always something else to do.

So, I ask you: What’s one tiny way you can honor your need for rest moving forward?

Whether you’re a creative, a business owner, or a caretaker trying to find an outlet for yourself with writing, falling off is a shared human experience. It's a phase we all go through, yet we often feel isolated in that process. Guilt, a poor companion to creativity, can weigh us down and keep us immobilized.

Read More: When the Writing Stops, What Do You Learn in the Quiet?

Reentering doesn’t have to be loud; it can be soft and guilt-free

Reframing is the key. I constantly repeat to myself that my perception of something isn’t always necessarily the reality. It’s essential to find a way to gently disengage from something in order to observe what is actually causing the blockages. In other words, find a way to get yourself out of tunnel vision because sometimes the light isn’t always on the other end.

This journey needs to be embarked on with a healthy dose of self-compassion and momentum. I don’t know about you, but for some reason, my brain likes to get bogged down on the details when the solution is usually the easiest step. So, how do you initiate your return to writing?

Step 1: Think about what you actually need and not what you should be doing

Ask yourself: What part of your writing practice would feel the most nourishing to return to at this moment?

Pro Tip: Your guilt will always try to convince you that you owe something. This is why you need to lead with intentionality. Intentionality means being deliberate and purposeful in your actions. When it comes to your writing practice, remember that you’re coming back to this because it’s something that is important to you, not because you feel guilty or obligated.

Read More: 5 Ways to Get to ‘The End’ Faster Without Burning Out

Step 2: Lower the bar, your expectations, and your shoulders.

Ask yourself: What is the most digestible task that you can do to kick-start this process?

Pro tip: The key is to reconnect with yourself, not play catch-up. You aren’t behind. Even writing one sentence is a win because that one sentence can serve as a catalyst for something else.

Step 3: Look for ways to support yourself rather than punishing yourself.

Ask yourself: What other elements can I incorporate into this process to make it feel more enjoyable and manageable?

Pro Tip: Have a playlist that motivates you? Play that in the background. Need accountability? Text your friend or post about it online. Want to make sure you sit down for intentional work? Set a timer. Can’t focus? Ensure your space is decluttered.

Read More: Why Your Writing Voice Isn't Late, It's Simply Unfolding

Step 4: Celebrate the return to your practice regardless of the level of perfection or the size of the accomplishment.

Ask yourself: How can I celebrate the fact that I showed up today?

Pro Tip: It’s important to mark the auspicious event of your return to your writing practice. Check something off your to-do list, tell a friend, get yourself a smoothie, or make yourself a cup of tea. Progress doesn’t need to be loud, but it does need to be celebrated.

Sitting down to write doesn't (and shouldn't) need to feel like a visit to the dentist for a root canal. Let's collaborate and help you find a rhythm that helps spark your creativity in a way that feels authentic and fits your life.

As a writing consultant, I'm here to help you write with clarity, ease, and confidence. If you're craving structure, motivation, or someone to bounce ideas off of, let's chat.

All of a sudden, your calendar is full, you're exhausted and fatigued, and you don't have nearly enough time to do it all. It's been a few weeks since I last wrote and published a new Substack post, so I decided to dedicate the month of June to discussing the annoyingly inevitable drop-off we all encounter.

Did I drop off because I didn't care about my Substack? That is not the case. However, in today's world, where our brains are constantly bombarded with distractions like social media notifications, work emails, and family responsibilities, it's impossible to do it all. Something has got to give, and for me, it was my Substack.

I say all this to remind you that it's okay to drop the ball sometimes (even jugglers do it). Life can be a blur, and if there's something I've learned in my journey as a writer, it's that I can't write from a place of overwhelm, exhaustion, or fatigue (and neither should you). It's a normal part of the process, not a sign of failure.

The first step to getting back into the rhythm of writing is gentle acceptance

Putting your writing on hold for a bit because you don't have the brain space for it is a typical and valid experience. It doesn't mean that all the hard work you've done is lost, and it certainly doesn't make you a failure. However, before you can get back on track, you need to have a moment of self-awareness and acceptance.

In this pause, think about what was going on in your life that inadvertently had you going in this direction, and reframe it. You, cariño, didn't fall; you were taking an unconscious rest that your mind, body, and soul desperately needed.

Without you knowing, you allowed yourself to create space in your life so you weren't stretched too thin. You let life catch up to you, and everyone has those moments.

Did you leave writing to the wayside for a bit? Yes. Does that mean you're less of a writer? No. George R.R. Martin, the man behind the “Game of Thrones” novels, has been writing a book for over a decade, so it's fair to cut yourself some slack if you took a few months off.

You can't pour from an empty cup. When your mind is in survival mode, you won't be producing content that feels true to who you are. You needed the time away so that you could relearn how to create a safe space again. You aren't failing when you're occupied by feeling what you need to feel.

In the past, I would harshly criticize myself for not maintaining a consistent flow of content. But who is that helping? I am but one person trying to keep everything afloat; sometimes, I have to let things sink.

I've learned that for me to do my best writing, I've got to allow myself moments where everything feels like chaos for me to bloom (that, in essence, is how the universe was formed, no?). Be kind to yourself in these moments.

The pause is always a great place to learn more about yourself and how to keep your momentum

Every time I emerge from one of these moments, I always think about how I can optimize my time and what I can improve in my writing practice. My suggestion to you would be to view this as an opportunity to gather information on how to move forward.

As a journalist and someone passionate about mental health, information is power. The more you know about yourself, the better chances you'll have at creating a writing practice that can sustain this kind of lull.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What element(s) of your writing journey did you feel you didn't accomplish?

• What is something you'd like to do differently moving forward?

• It's good to start small; what small writing practices will you implement to get you going again?

Sitting down to write doesn't (and shouldn't) need to feel like a visit to the dentist for a root canal. Let's collaborate and help you find a rhythm that helps spark your creativity in a way that feels authentic and fits your life.

As a writing consultant, I'm here to help you write with clarity, ease, and confidence. If you're craving structure, motivation, or someone to bounce ideas off of, let's chat.

For that reason, I’ve started my Writers Be Wondering series in an effort to curb some of the more confounding topics and answer questions that would keep even the most seasoned writer up at night. This month’s questions tackle the theme of finding your voice.

What does it mean to find your voice?

To find your writing voice means to have found alignment with the core of your writing soul. Your voice is the version of you that sounds like you on a page, like the narrator in a show or a book. That throughline dictates how close your audience will feel with you as it blends and merges your perspective, tone, word choices, and overall rhythm.

It’s good to note that finding your writing voice isn’t like searching for the Fountain of Youth; it’s something that you have to be mindful of and nurture. Once you’ve spotted the tonality that makes your writing heart sing, doing anything in that style will become second nature.

What if my writing sounds too formal, stuffy, or dull?

If your writing sounds too formal or dull, chances are you’re trying to be someone you’re not in your writing. Your best writing will not happen when you’re overthinking it and trying to emulate what others consider “good writing.”

To produce your best content, you have to write in a way that feels natural to you. Don’t open up a thesaurus and start plucking words to throw in because you think that will give you some semblance of authority on the topic you’re writing about. I like to think about it like this: I write in a way that I know that if I came across the content, I would read it.

An excellent exercise I like to use to help me figure it out is to write a paragraph as if I’m texting a friend but using punctuation. Then, I go back and edit it for clarity and refinement. Mind you, I’m not looking for it to sound professional; I am searching for “me” in the text.

How do I know if I’ve found my writing voice?

This one is fairly easy. Next time you write something, share it with someone you trust and ask them if they can hear you in it. If the person says, “This sounds like you,” or “I read this in your voice,” you’re in a really good place in terms of tapping into your voice.

The more adept you get at tapping into your writing voice, the easier your overall writing process will be because you will instantly spot when you’re not being “you.”

Can I have more than one writing voice?

Like most creative pursuits, writing evolves and shifts over time. The way you write today may sound different in one year due to your life experiences or new knowledge. Our past writing voices and styles serve as a baseline and foundation for the writer we become later.

In addition to this, we wear different hats and do a bit of code-switching throughout the day (and life in general). The way we speak to our boss isn’t the same way we talk to our coworkers. How we speak to our parents isn’t how we speak to our siblings or cousins. The same goes for writing.

While the core baseline for your writing voice will be the same, there are moments when you will code-switch a bit. It’s not advisable to email a client like you’d text your best friend. Your writing will shift a few degrees depending on your audience, and that’s okay.

Can I change my mind about my voice later?

As I’ve mentioned before, writing is a living, breathing thing. It will evolve, and the writing you do today might not be the same in a few months. Evolution and growth don’t mean that you’ve become inconsistent in any way.

On the contrary, it shows that you are in tune with the changes you are going through and understand that adapting is the name of the game. With a few exceptions, your overall interests don’t stay the same, so why should your writing voice?

Sitting down to write doesn’t (and shouldn’t) need to feel like a visit to the dentist for a root canal. Let’s collaborate and help you find a rhythm that helps spark your creativity in a way that feels authentic and fits your life.

As a writing consultant, I’m here to help you write with clarity, ease, and confidence. If you’re craving structure, motivation, or simply someone to bounce ideas off of, we should chat.

You could use all the tactics, techniques, and words to help you build thought leadership and authority, but if you’re not tapping into your voice — the core of your writing heart — what you produce won’t resonate as powerfully.

The more aligned you are with your voice, the better your writing will get

Often, people think that to capture attention, they need to be performative with their writing. That isn’t the case. Think about all the times you’ve encountered something that reads as inauthentic and a little out there. Has it stuck with you? Or have you found yourself reading a few sentences and then moving on?

Your voice keeps people connected, reading, and coming back for more content. With the barrage of information folks encounter daily, finding content that isn’t rooted in showmanship for the sake of showmanship is refreshing. It also helps you and your readers feel linked and aligned.

Think about it. How often have you sat down to write and hated the experience? You try to sound like something you’re not when you haven't found your voice. Doubt meddles in and creates tension because you’re off the deep end, like Lady Gaga, convincing yourself that you aren’t smart or good enough.

If you’re not tapping into your voice, you’re performing, which becomes painfully exhausting. Finding alignment with your writing voice means your content will stand out in a sea of total sameness. When you write from a place that sounds like you, not only is it easier to write and edit, but it’s easier to be consistent about writing.

What having a voice actually means and how it’s a game-changer

You can have all the style and technique at your fingertips, but if you’re not tapping into your voice, the writing won’t add up, making our number-loving friend Count Von Count sad.

It’s not about being quirky, poetic, polished, or even using what people have convinced you is the right tone. The right tone is you, and finding that is about aligning with what makes your heart sing and dance like it’s gotta pay the rent.

The highest compliment anyone can pay you is saying that they heard you in your writing because it means you’ve put your soul into it. When that happens, your message is sharper, your confidence is boosted, and folks trust you more than a car salesperson.

This is a game changer because the structure and pomp will only aid your writing once you're in it. You will make complex knowledge and subject matters easily digestible to the people you want to inform.

Finding your voice will also help you establish a baseline so that you can spot the inconsistencies much faster when it comes time to edit. Another byproduct of writing using your voice is having a “Field of Dreams” experience in which the right people, clients, or opportunities will flow to you.

They may not pop out of a cornfield to play baseball, but they will show up (just make sure to maintain a consistent pace). Tapping into your voice isn’t about impressing those people; it’s about connecting with them by being yourself.

Finding alignment with your voice allows you the flexibility to be “you” in any format

When you’ve achieved this level of alignment in your writing, you’ll show up like you, regardless of the code-switching. It’s similar to how you show up as yourself in the different areas of your life. You wouldn’t write an email to a client the same way you’d write a text to your best friend.

Your voice isn’t tied to any writing format; it’s the throughline that connects all of your writing. This makes it so that you’re not reinventing the wheel each time you sit down to write anything, be it a blog post, a newsletter, a text, or an email. It helps you adapt but never crumble.

Think about all the people you follow on social media or newsletters — you’re still following them because they maintain the same version of themselves, format notwithstanding. You recognize the grounded confidence with which those people show up.

When you write from that place, it builds the recognition needed for you to make that same trust, which, in turn, builds up your community.

Sitting down to write doesn’t (and shouldn’t) need to feel like a visit to the dentist for a root canal. Let’s collaborate and help you find a rhythm that helps spark your creativity in a way that feels authentic and fits your life.

As a writing consultant, I’m here to help you write with clarity, ease, and confidence. If you’re craving structure, motivation, or simply someone to bounce ideas off of, we should chat.

Regardless of the type of writing you do, I have always believed that writing is a deeply emotional and personal thing. So, when I’ve been disconnected with myself, it has reflected in my writing. My writing feels forced, stale, and heavy. There is no lightness, wit, or free flow of words. The writing comes off as stifled.

Finding your writing voice can feel daunting and will have you look at other writers to see what it is that they do so that you could mimic it. I can tell you that’s not the great idea you might think it is. It will hinder your progress and leave you more confused and frustrated than before.

To find your writing voice, you must first know what it isn’t

Whenever I am planning an outing with my friends and we are trying to pick a restaurant, I always ask people what they don’t want. I’ve learned that most will know what they don’t want over what they do want.

That’s the crux of it when it comes to writing — you will always know what you’re not before you know what you are. Whether you’re starting your journey or you’ve been at it for years, your interests (and what speaks to you) will always shift.

Think about it: Does adult you still like all of the things teenage you used to like? As time progresses, what speaks to the writer in you will evolve. Writing is an art that lives and dies by the evolution of the writer, so always check in with yourself to ensure you don’t lose your muse or mojo.

I’m going to share with you some of the questions I ask myself when I’m finding myself in a writing rut.

• What topics make me feel energized and/or opinionated?

• If my writing were a person, what kind of vibe would they give off?

• If I had to describe my ideal writing voice in three words, what would they be?

• Do I sound differently when I write for myself versus when I write for an audience? What are the differences?

• How would I write if I knew no one was going to judge me?

Just because you haven’t honed in on a set voice doesn’t mean you are behind

Like other mediums of art, writing isn’t fixed. It’s something that lives, breathes, and flows with each experience you have. If someone eats that piece of cake you’ve been hiding, and you become frustrated, your writing will show that. Same way, if you win the lottery, your writing will reflect the joy you feel at that moment.

It takes professional writers years to hone their voice, so if you’re just starting, cut yourself some slack. Writing will require you to be flexible to find alignment. Your voice isn’t something you have to find; rather, it’s something you slowly uncover. It’s layered like Shrek and onions.

When you’re in alignment with your voice, it will feel natural, even if what is coming out is messy. Your voice could be funny, poetic, or witty. Perfection isn’t the name of the game. Feeling like home is. Once you capture that feeling, lean into it. Savor it like you would your favorite meal or activity.

When you find what makes your writing tick, you’ll be able to maintain the heart and soul of it regardless of where you are writing. Remember, you’re not late. You are just in the middle of becoming.

Sitting down to write doesn’t (and shouldn’t) need to feel like a visit to the dentist for a root canal. Let’s collaborate and help you find a rhythm that helps spark your creativity in a way that feels authentic and fits your life.

As a writing consultant, I’m here to help you write with clarity, ease, and confidence. If you’re craving structure, motivation, or simply someone to bounce ideas off of — we should chat.

Call me, beep me, if you wanna reach me

Regardless of how long you’ve been writing, you will always get in your head about how to finish. For me, momentum is what helps me get over the edge. I keep writing until the story intuitively tells me to stop.

But I know that isn’t always the case for everyone, and I understand how folks are always looking for tools to help them jump over the hurdle of finishing a drafted piece. Here are some that I utilize to aid me in turning the tide of writer’s block.

Declutter your mind with some writing warm-ups

Not everyone can just wake up and sit down to write. If that were the case, writers, authors, and content creators wouldn’t be on the struggle bus wondering where they went wrong 10 times a day, seven days a week.

That’s why it is key to clear your mind with a brain dump in your journal or a freewriting exercise to get your brain moving like a young dancing queen. Spending five to 10 minutes getting your mundane thoughts out of your head can clear the path to success.

It also warms up your creative pathways so you can write faster than Vin Diesel drives in the “Fast” franchise. Give yourself the gift of writing pressure-free so that your mind can get where it needs to go.

Apply the philosophy of “small steps to big victories” with micro-goals

Simply sitting down and writing isn’t a good enough goal. It also adds unnecessary and unfathomable pressure on your delicate shoulders (we aren’t day laborers, so yes, delicate). Make your task more achievable and stress-free by picking one thing to accomplish.

Don’t go for “finish the chapter,” when “write 300 words” might help you finish the chapter faster. Wanna know why? Because once you start writing, chances are you’ll find your groove like Kuzco and keep going.

Writing feeling too heavy that day? Set another goal like “20 minutes of editing” or “30 minutes of research.” Accomplishment fuels creativity and when you’re feeling good, it will push you to do more.

Find an accountability partner to hold you to your deadlines

I’m a Scorpio, so I’m all for having airs of mystery and chaos. But when it comes to your writing, it just won’t do. Have someone you trust check in with you so that you can maintain your progress.

Sometimes the idea of feeling shame will push you—because what writer hasn’t felt propelled by shame every now and then. Don’t have someone you can go to? Set a public deadline on social media and have people check in with you later.

Sharing your progress or struggles with others can help you find motivation and community. We often think that we are the only ones sorting things out, but it isn’t until we talk about it that we find out we aren’t the only ones trying to keep a paper origami boat afloat in a shallow pool.

Always have a defined stopping point

This one seems obvious, doesn’t it? But you’d be surprised how many times people will forego this and just stare at a page indefinitely hoping the universe decides to bless them. I’ve been there, so I understand how harrowing it can be.

Knowing when to call it a day is key because it keeps frustration from seeping into your bones and blocking you further. What does your stopping point look like? That’s all dependent of you and your lifestyle.

It could be something as simple as a word count, an official time limit, or even reaching the logical end of a scene you’re drafting. The goal is to end at a place that will make it easier for you to bounce back when you return.

Honor your creative rhythm

I will yell this from mountaintops until I’ve run out of air. Don’t force yourself to write if your body isn’t into it. Writer’s block typically veers its hideous face when we are disconnected from our bodies.

Take some time to figure out when you write best. Is it in the morning before you start work? Maybe you like to get in some writing time at lunch after a sustenance boost. Or are you’re a night owl who thrives on silence and darkness surrounding you? This is important to writing.

I’m not a morning person, so I’ve learned that writing in the AM isn’t the way for me. But I know a lot of folks who love the mornings. More power to them, because it just isn’t in me or my creative rhythm—and that’s okay.

Ready to build a writing ritual that feels fun and like it actually works for you? As a writing consultant, I seek to help writers, both veterans and those at the beginning of their journey, to create sustainable habits.

My goal is to empower writers to feel fulfilled and love the process of writing—and what they write. If you’re looking for guidance, an accountability partner, or a sounding board, let’s schedule a chat.

Let's set up a virtual chat

Writing is something that takes a certain level of mental freedom to accomplish. In my case, I can’t always sit down after waking up and write unprompted. I have to set the scene the same way you would a sensuous dinner for one. I have to romanticize the hell out of it. That’s why I love writing rituals.

Why Writing Rituals Matter

As someone who works with words daily, I know how important it is to choose your words wisely. In my mind, using “routine” makes me think of something that I don’t want to do. “Rituals,” on the other hand, sounds attractive and enchanting.

At its core, a writing ritual is a repeated action that helps to signal to your brain that you’re getting ready to write. Think of it like you’d think of a bedtime ritual that signals your brain that you’re getting ready to sleep. Or, if you’re a more physical person, think of the ritual of warming up that an athlete does for a big game.

This is beneficial to writing because it helps with the following:

• It reduces decision fatigue, and instead of wasting time thinking about how to start writing, you flow into it.

• The mental cues help your brain associate certain actions with writing.

• You minimize your ability to procrastinate because the ritual becomes a habitual thing.

Different types of writing sparks can help you get where you need to go

Writing triggers—or as I like to call them sparks—are the signals you’ve chosen that help you and your brain get on the same page.

Sensory Sparks

Anything that incorporates the use of a scent, sound, or touch. You can light a candle, start your writing playlist (they recommend instrumental music), or pick up your favorite journal and pen.

This works because the physical cues activate a stimulus that can help with focus. I enjoy lighting a candle or setting up my essential oil diffuser as I find the smells aide my creativity.

Movement-based Sparks

Let’s say you’re a more active person, and need something a bit more lively to open those writing pathways. Try taking a short walk (weather permitting, don’t walk out into a snowstorm), pull out your yoga mat for some stretches, or make yourself a cup of tea.

I love making a cup of tea because the mechanical nature of it gets me out of my head, helping to reduce my mental clutter.

Mindset Sparks

The words you say to yourself are incredibly important—especially when you’re looking to shift your mindset into one that aids writing. Possible writing sparks can include affirmations, freewriting exercises, or deep breathing exercises.

Taking time to write down or say “Done is better than perfect,” can set you up for success as it creates a positive mental flow that lowers resistance. A mindset spark that I love doing is a brain dump where I get all my ideas out on paper and out of my head.

Time-based Sparks

Not everyone can write in the morning the same way that not everyone can write at night. Take a week to test out when your mind feels it’s most creative. Keep in mind that this could change every day, so don’t feel bad about adjusting accordingly.

Another option is to set timers to help you maintain your focus. Open up a document and free-write for 10 to 15 minutes. This exercise helps build up discipline and make writing flow easily since you’re focused on one activity. It forces you to be present.

If you only wrote one sentence, celebrate that. That’s one more sentence than you had the day before, and it could help spark a new idea.

Environmental Sparks

If you would have asked a younger version of myself if a clean room or space makes a difference, she would have said “no.” The adult version of me vehemently disagrees.

Cleaning up your desk or writing space will help you decrease the amount of external distractions. If you’re on a computer, close out all of your tabs (maybe then you’ll find the one that has music that you couldn’t locate).

In some cases, physically moving somewhere else can help as well. If you work from home, test out writing from your local library or a cool coffee shop you’ve wanted to visit. Having a “writing spot” will spark the brain and body that it’s time to write.

To be successful, your ritual type needs to feel organic to you and your lifestyle

There is no set way to establish a writing ritual. Heck, you can even alter and adjust every time. I have a rotating list of things that I do to help me cue my brain when it’s time to write. At the end of the day, your ritual needs to feel as effortless as breathing.

To build a ritual, you need to choose your “before writing” cue like going to the library. Then you’ll need your “during writing” cue like listening to your curated writing playlist. Finish it off with your “after writing” cue like saying an affirmation.

Your ritual needs to be short, sweet, and sustainable. If it feels too elaborate, it will turn into a chore you don’t want to do, defeating everything you’re trying to accomplish.

Ready to build a writing ritual that feels fun and like it actually works for you? As a writing consultant, I seek to help writers, both veterans and those at the beginning of their journey, to create sustainable habits.

My goal is to empower writers to feel fulfilled and love the process of writing—and what they write. If you’re looking for guidance, an accountability partner, or a sounding board, let’s schedule a chat.

Let's set up a virtual coffee break!

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