The fall season is approaching. Cooler mornings, cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice tea, settling into a routine.
As writers, it’s easy to miss the beautiful atmosphere and push ourselves on our project: I have to get this section done. I really want to knock out one more chapter. I need to push my daily word count higher.
That sounds more like boot camp than a cozy fall morning.
What if you treat your writing project like a soothing spa visit instead?
That doesn’t mean you don’t take it seriously or get things done. It’s about how you approach your project. Relaxed instead of rushed.
This doesn’t mean you need to schedule an entire spa week just to focus on your project. It’s about how you focus on the piece of the project that’s in front of you.
Maybe you’re brainstorming ideas, describing a scene, writing a particular section, doing a self-editing pass of a chapter. Whatever small project is in front of you at the moment, you can approach it like a spa treatment.
Go ahead and choose the perfect spa session for you. It might vary from one writing session to another:
Create a spa atmosphere. Whatever that means for you. A quiet nook. Warm fall beverage. A cozy blanket. Favorite chair.
Take your time. No one rushes a spa treatment. You don’t hear anyone at a spa shouting, “Hurry up, let’s get going.” Give yourself the same grace. Relax and enjoy the moment.
Choose your spa treatment. Will it be writing? Editing? Brainstorming? Organizing? Do what fits your mood at the moment. Let the project of the day match your energy and the way you’re feeling. You’ll be more creative, and your readers will benefit.
Leave your spa session feeling cared for. It doesn’t matter how much you got done. What matters is how you approached the project. If you came up with some ideas and left yourself a note for where to pick up next time, you’ve had a successful session.
When you treat your writing project like a gentle spa day, you’ll still get plenty done, probably even more than if you rushed and pressured yourself or piled on too many tasks. A spa-style writing session is still hard work. You’ll experience challenges. You might have to untangle paragraphs or set a section aside for a different day. You may feel tired afterward. But hopefully you’ll also leave with a deep sense of creative refreshment that will carry through the rest of your day and your project.
Try it out. Set aside time for one writing project session. Create a spa atmosphere and more relaxed pace for yourself. You might choose a different writing space. Prepare a soothing fall beverage. Choose a smaller section to focus on. Spend some time with creative brainstorming.
Whatever you choose, make this project time a gift to yourself. Don’t think I have to do this. Think about how enjoyable and refreshing this spa-style session will be.
Then notice the difference. How do you feel afterward? Are you looking forward to the next time?
If you can keep that spa atmosphere and self-care going, your writing and editing will flow right along. You may even get unexpected insights or see the project in a new way. Your readers will notice the difference too.
So, make the most of the season. Give yourself some relaxing project time. Enjoy your spa writing experience this fall.
Janet Eriksson 