Do you ever dream of writing a book, but then reality hits, and you’re back to the daily grind? Trust me, you’re not alone. I sat on one of my books for a year and a half before I did anything with it. Ugh.
We all juggle responsibilities, deadlines, and the never-ending to-do lists that life throws our way. But does that mean your dream of writing a book or becoming a writer has to remain just that—a dream? No.
Let’s be honest: finding time to write when life is busy can feel tough. Many dream of writing but wonder, How do I write a book while working full time? How do we fit in time, motivation, and inspiration when our days are so busy?
Well, after writing thirteen books, lots of blogs, and helping with over 75 Amazon bestsellers, I can tell you it’s possible! Yes, you can write while also having a day job. In fact, most authors have a day job to survive.
A survey in 2017 found that only 10% of Americans make money from writing, showing that most writers have other jobs to pay the bills. That might be because they aren’t putting smart business strategy behind their books. That’s a topic for another day. Don’t lose hope!
How do you do this—writing a book while working full-time?
Let’s dive deep into the art of balancing your routine with your writing aspirations.
How Can I Write While Managing My Routine And Full-Time Job?
Here are 5 simple tips:
Find Your Best Writing Time
Everyone has a time when they feel most creative. Some like writing early in the morning, while others prefer late at night. But if you’re working full-time, your ideal time might not match your work hours.
When you’re busy with a job, it’s important to know when you can actually sit down and write. It’s not just about when you feel best—it’s about when you can make time for writing in your schedule. It’s tough to write a book while you’re working full-time. We have to fit writing into our busy lives whenever we can. We must find those moments when we can write and protect them like they’re precious.
Get Support from Those Around You
Whether you live with roommates or have a family, it’s rare to have uninterrupted time to yourself. Because time for writing is precious, it’s helpful to have support.
Talk to the people you live with about your writing plans and ask for their help. Let them know when you’ll be writing and how much you aim to accomplish. This way, they can encourage you instead of interrupting you while you’re working. You can also consider joining a writing circle for extra support, camaraderie, and motivation.
Make Sacrifices
When you’re balancing a full-time job with writing, you can’t do everything. You can’t watch all the TV shows, go to every event, read every book, and write your own. Time just doesn’t stretch that far…
To focus on writing your book, you’ll have to give up some things. It might be tough, but it’s necessary to prioritize your writing. Remember, your book is worth the sacrifices.
Limit Social Media
Limiting your time on social media can free up valuable writing time. It’s tempting to spend a few spare minutes scrolling through Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, but those minutes could be spent writing instead. Starting with just five minutes may not seem like much, but it’s a good way to begin carving out writing time, and those minutes can quickly add up.
You can use apps like Screen Time to see how much time you’re spending on social media each day. The results might surprise you.
Consider uninstalling social media apps from your phone or setting time limits on them. When you feel the urge to check social media, try using a note-taking app for your writing instead.
Take Writing Breaks
It’s important to have downtime to relax, so not all your time off work needs to be spent writing! However, if you have vacation time or the opportunity to take breaks, consider using some of that time for a mini-writing retreat.
You might worry that it feels like working when you should be resting, but if you approach it as a writing holiday without pressure to meet word count goals, it can be really beneficial.
Consider attending a writing retreat like Brave Healer Writer’s Retreat —- At this retreat, experts—writers, healers, publishers, and business coaches—come together to offer an amazing experience. It’s not just about improving your writing; it’s about transforming yourself inside out.
And remember, focus on enjoying the experience and your writing, rather than feeling pressured to accomplish a certain amount.
Lastly…
If writing is your passion, you’ll make it happen.
It might sound like a cliché, but it’s true. If you truly love writing and want to do it, you’ll find a way to fit it into your life, even if it’s not as often as you’d like. Everyone has at least a little bit of free time, even if it’s just twenty minutes here or there. If your life is so busy that you have no time for yourself at all, that’s a different problem that needs fixing. It might mean rethinking your commitments and finding ways to simplify your life so you can make room for what you love.
Don’t stress! At Brave Healers, we’re a community of holistic healers, coaches, and professionals. I get a lot of inspiration from listening to others read and discuss their writing, and I’m sure you will too! We’re eager to hear about your writing goals. Email our team to schedule a free 30-minute discovery call at support@lauradifranco.com!
