Take a Break
When writing, do you want to know a great way to benefit your process? Stop writing! I know, this sounds ridiculous, but there are many benefits to putting your pencil down, to stop typing, and take a break. Let’s explore some and be sure to share with me ways taking a break has helped you.
Take a Break
Before we begin, what do I mean by “take a break?” Let’s say you are sitting at your computer typing. I want you to stand up, stretch, move, get some water, and spend a little bit of time off screen.
Depending on what you like, there are many ways to take a break. I personally like to go outside for a walk to refresh. If I’m having trouble with dialogue, I’ll go to a park or cafe and people watch for inspiration. Maybe call a friend, catch up with family, or do something you have been putting off. All these activities will help you relax and be ready to work when you start writing again. Overdoing it and exhausting yourself does not make the process easier. Also, it’s not good to sit still for so long!
If you are someone who is easily distracted, I recommend setting a timer for your breaks. For example, if I decide to play a video game or take a nap, that can go on for hours if I do not reel myself back in to work. Be careful not to lose a whole day to your “breaks!”
The Medium Switch
If I have been writing all day, I do not want to write during my relaxation time. I purposefully try to pick something different. Instead of reading, I'll watch TV and draw. Instead of journaling at the end of the day, I’ll go hiking or go for a drive. Doing something different is a great way to get your mind off your current project. It helps to prevent burnout and if you have specific writing and non-writing times, your writing times will become more efficient.
Benefits for Brainstorming
If you are stuck or need to think about a part of your story, sometimes you might feel even more stuck if you sit there staring at a blank page. I know I’ve already recommended this a lot, and I will continue to do so, but if you go out and get a change of scenery, it might be easier to think about your story. Something in real life might stir up some ideas or getting away from the computer might help you relax a little and your thoughts may flow a little freer.
Benefits if You are Stuck
If you are working on a story and you are stuck on what to write next, how to improve it, or how to fix a massive plot hole, a break might help you find that answer. Stepping away from your work and not thinking about it for a while sometimes unlocks the answer you’ve always had when you least expect it. If I am having trouble with a story, I will literally set it out of sight (out of sight, out of mind!) for a day or two, and then come back to it with a fresh mind.
Between Steps
When writing a story, there are many steps. Brainstorming, first draft, edits, revisions, and more. When I finish a major step, I always try to take a break. This is a great way to reset your mind and give yourself a refresh before you sit back down and continue working. For example, editing can be hard. Reward yourself for a job well done or take a break when you feel like you can’t go on. You’ll feel better if you listen to what your body needs and that will improve your work.
How I Take My Breaks
I can only type for so long. Typing all day will leave me with quite a lot of hand and wrist pain so I take breaks throughout the day to avoid this. (Yes, it took me actually hurting my hands to slow my work down!) I usually write in 1-hour spurts. Throughout the hour, I get up and stretch about every 20 minutes to keep my hands comfortable. I drink lots of water too!
For my breaks, I like to feel accomplished. This helps me keep my energy up so I can return to work quite easily. If I go on my phone, draw, read, or do anything that is too relaxing, I am unlikely to get right back to work and will mess up my schedule. Because of this, I do chores or housework in between my writing times. Here is a normal day for me:
Answer emails and messages in the morning.
Tidy up the house, make the bed, open windows, etc.
Write for an hour.
Clean the kitchen, put in lunch, put in the laundry.
Write for an hour.
Have lunch, clean up, switch laundry over.
Write for an hour.
Get the laundry and put it away.
Check email and finish for the day.
Go for a walk.
Prep dinner, have dinner, then relax!
Now this is only 5-hours of work but because I take breaks my focus is very high. I know this schedule is not realistic for most people, but this is what works for me. I have intense focus throughout the day, and I am avoiding burnout. With this schedule I am usually getting twice as much done in one day compared to a regular day without all those breaks.
Conclusion
While my single piece of advice is to, “take a break!” I wanted to dive into the different ways this can be done and experienced. I used to get frustrated when I was younger, and people would tell me to take a break. I thought it was counterintuitive because if I was trying to get work done, how could not working help me? It’s all about taking care of yourself, giving your brain a break, and returning to work refreshed.