Nicole7 simple energy-shifting rituals to get writing flow and finish your outputs in half the time (while enjoying it!)
Most people feel pressured, stressed, and frustrated around their writing. That looming deadline for your book. The newsletter you were meant to draft for your business. The social media posts that need to get scheduled.
When you feel bogged down with your writing, what you really need is a different energy.
After many years of frustration and seeing writing as a ‘chore’, I’ve realised something profound. Writing is not discipline. It’s an energy game.
When you bring the right energy to the writing, you feel spacious, excited and inspired.
Imagine you wake up in the morning and you can’t wait to write. You know what you want to say, and you’re ready to type it and send it off. You’re writing and creating so fast that your inner critic doesn’t even have time to wake up and haunt you.
So, how can we create that ‘magic’ energy? (Without quitting your day job).
The formula is simple: Don’t focus on your writing, but on what you do before and after!
Why?
Any activities you do before and after writing directly impact on your energy, mindset and body — and with that, your writing experience.
The problem is that most people squeeze writing into their day in between admin, childcare, commute, work stress, etc. Without meaningful transitions, writing doesn’t get the energy it needs.
In this article, I’ll give you 2-minute energy-shifting rituals you can try out and see the effects immediately:
You’ll learn how to:
- create energy for writing flow ahead
- close your writing session with future momentum in mind
- make a profound mindset shift about how you approach your creativity
Let’s dive in!
#1 Before writing
It sounds a bit bizarre, but what you do before you start writing determines how hard or easy writing feels. You can easily influence the energy you bring to the table. Here are a few good options for energy-shifting rituals:
Breathe: Before diving into your writing, pause for a few minutes to take some deep breaths. Close your eyes, inhale slowly, and exhale fully. This will calm your mind and prepare you for the task ahead.
Environment: Create a decluttered, relaxed environment by opening a window to let in fresh air, adjusting the lighting, or tidying up your workspace. Your surroundings matter.
Nourish: Keep a glass of water nearby to stay hydrated. Consider adding a touch of joy to your drink, whether it’s a splash of your favourite juice or a refreshing slice of lemon. (I put in an ice cube, don’t ask why, but it makes me happy to hear it ‘clink’ against the glass.)
Nature: If time permits, spend a few moments outdoors. Take a short walk, listen to birds (sometimes, I listen to birdsong on Spotify if I don’t have time for a walk). Nature sparks inspiration and calms your nervous system.
Any of these will take less than 5 minutes and will save you time later (because you find flow faster).
Which one do you want to start with? Pick it, write it on a post-it, and try it next time before your write.
#2 After writing
After writing, gently transition into the rest of your day. You want to shift your energy out of flow and create motivation for the next time you sit down to write. Here are a three options:
Reflect: After completing your writing session, journal about your accomplishments. Acknowledge the effort you put in and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. This will motivate you to continue writing tomorrow, and build momentum over time.
Move: Counteract the static nature of writing by doing some gentle stretches. Roll your shoulders, stretch your arms and legs, loosen up any tension and stuck energy in your body.
Gratitude: Cultivate a sense of gratitude for yourself. You managed to sit down and work on your book or article, and soon these will make an impact in the world. Gratitude makes writing feel like a joyful endeavour rather than a chore.
5 minutes is enough as a start, and even just one of the above ideas will help you transition back into your day with an energy that help you to remember all the positive feelings writing can create.
Your body and mind will remember it, and it’s unlikely you’ll procrastinate (why would you, if you associate writing with gratitude!).
Drop deadlines and discipline
For years, I’ve tried to optimise and expand my writing time. I’ve tried to pressure myself into writing with deadlines and discipline. But my schedule became crowded and my stress levels were unbearable (no wonder I procrastinated!).
Now I think more and more about energy.
If you want to begin shifting your energy to make writing easier, all you have to do is try a few of the above rituals and see what they do for your body and mind.
Over to you!
What might your pre and post-writing ritual look like?
