I need a routine!

~ Cat Wild

All the experts say so.

Currently, the only kind of writing schedule I have could be summed up with one word: sporadic. It’s worked for me, with varying degrees of success, so far, but there are myriad reasons and resources out there that will explain in great detail that one of the key tools in a writer’s toolbox is the routine. I don’t have a good routine, and I think that was part of the reason why it was so easy for me to get derailed during this most recent round of personal drama.

Don’t get me wrong; I’ve made some progress with my writing projects. But I think having a schedule that’s a little more concrete than “whenever I can” might just be the ticket to regular and sustained progress.

I’m doing well with my writing challenges and my personal writing goals. But I think I’m ready to step it up a notch, and for me this will mean a routine. Now I just have to figure out what said routine will look like. I am so not a morning person, so writing then seems both unlikely and unappealing. Before bedtime is the time I’m most drawn to, although the needy husband is the big hurdle there. I remember when I went back to school when my youngest was only a year old. You’d think the baby would have interfered most with homework completion, but my husband, and his constant need to be the centre of attention, totally won the prize for making me tear my hair out.

That’s okay. I’ll figure it out. After all, I’m a college graduate. And I managed to graduate with honours.

Have I mentioned that my youngest is now eleven and I’m still tired from school? Ha!

21 thoughts on “I need a routine!”

  3. I have the same problem than you with writing before bed. I used to cook when the hubby was showering after work. Now I use that time for my planning or for exercising. We may eat a little later but it’s worth it.

    I hope you find your routine soon. Have a great week!

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  4. It’s not that my husband is needy, I just feel so guilty not spending any time with him. I am still working on it, have been spending about an hour a night with him, but during the week, after coming home from the day job, that means only another hour (if that) in the evening to work on my writing. I’m still trying to come up with a compromise we can both live with.
    Good look finding your own routine.

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  5. Routines are tough to figure out, and I know the feeling of a SO who wants attention. One of the good compromises we came up with was going on family walks (us and the dog, and sometimes the cat too). Sometimes that’s good, but sometimes it isn’t enough. The routine has to be able to work with the swing of things, and that’s the toughest part.

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  6. Having a routine is critical for me to get any writing done. I so feel your pain between “not a morning person” and needing family time in the evening. Spending time with him after dinner, then getting to the writing has worked well for me lately. Good luck finding yours!

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  7. I think I’m in a similar situation, I am just now (this year) scheduling my writing time on my calendar and with 3 kids and a husband and too many activities to list, it can be quite the challenge. Each Sunday I spend 1 hour planning my week as best I can and one of my priorities is getting at least a few hours of uninterrupted writing several times a week and some form of writing each day. I hope you will keep us posted when you find a schedule/routine that works for you!

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  8. Finding balance between family and personal interests is always a balancing act. And sometimes just the fact that we have external interests feels like a loss to those we love… I hope you find your center. Routines will help some… setting limits for yourself and others can be key.

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  9. I write best when my partner is gone, asleep, or absorbed in video games. If he’s watching netflix or otherwise bored, getting anything done is a nightmare. I schedule things out in advance as much as I can and I prioritize writing in whatever time I have available if the schedule gets messed up.

    I hope you find a routine that works well for you!

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    1. A house full of activity puts me off to. I will even nap during the day and get up in the middle of the night to work for a few hours to get that same sense of peace and quiet.

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  10. Getting into a routine can be difficult, especially when life keeps throwing you curve balls. Stick with it, though. I’m sure you’ll find something that works for you. Best of luck.

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  11. My husband spends some time playing games on the PC or ps4 every evening. Maybe you could get some writing time by directing your husband to something he likes doing at the time you want to write. 😉

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  12. I am trying to establish a routine too, I totally relate to where you are coming from. The only thing is, I have to build in some flexibility as “life” happens in the same manner as any four-letter words. 😉

    The very best of luck, we are cheering you on.

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