I found that maintaining a daily writing habit might seem challenging, but it’s actually straightforward once you get the hang of it. Starting small and gradually building the habit didn’t work best for me. Instead, what worked best was going into monk mode for a day or two in the beginning. Then, I gradually built up my daily writing habit. Just dedicating a few minutes each day to write something, even if it’s short, helped me stay on track. I used to remind myself that I would write every day because I loved it. I realized that loving something and forming a habit are different. Whenever I felt stuck, I motivated myself to write. Sometimes I lost track and left my habit, but I always got back on track after a few days. Then, I decided to write every day for the next few days, like 5 or 6 days, without looking back at my progress. I told myself I would fail if I missed even one day. I used to overthink about what would happen after 5 days, or after 7 days, or after 1 month instead of focusing on today. So, instead of tracking my progress, I focused on the present, and it worked best for me.
Now, I’ll share my five tips to help you stay consistent with your daily writing habit so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
1. Set a specific time: Choose a specific time of day that works best for you to write, whether it’s first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed. Consistency is key. For example, I set aside 2 hours for writing every day. I choose the morning time from 8 am to 10 am.
2. Start small: Begin by setting aside just a few minutes each day for writing. Starting with a small commitment makes it easier to stick to the habit.
3. Create a writing space: Designate a comfortable and distraction-free space where you can focus on your writing. Having a dedicated spot can help get you in the right mindset. It could be your traditional paper and pen or just a Google Docs file. Same place, same position how you sit every day.
4. Use writing prompts: If you’re ever stuck for ideas, writing prompts can provide inspiration and help kickstart your creativity. Keep a list of prompts handy for those moments when you need a little nudge. Like I choose 5 parts of my writing. I love to follow the same style.
5. Set a goal: Some might say to keep track of your daily writing habit by marking off each day on a calendar or using a habit-tracking app. Seeing your progress can be motivating and help you stay committed to your goal. But I say don’t do that. It can create mental pressure. Just do it. In the beginning, for the next 5 days, I will write no matter what it is. If you are unable to do it even for one day, then you failed it. Treat this goal like it.
By implementing these tips, you can establish a daily writing habit that will help you grow as a writer and make steady progress towards your goals. At least I can say it worked for me.