Writerly Self Care

I really don't have time for this, I thought before setting up to write this post. I have so much to get done today. Chores. Business. Writing, of course.

But I decided on this particular topic in order to counteract that American hustle mentality infiltrating many of our lives, so I took a breath, reminded myself how ironic it would be not to follow my own tips in this post, and took an extra five minutes to properly set up. Seriously, just five minutes to set the writerly mood and get the most of out of my writing, and I'm so glad I did. I lit a candle, grabbed a snack, made a cup of peppermint tea, then sat down to get this done.

If you're anything like me, sometimes it's hard to get around to that "self-care" everyone is talking about. Many of us just open our laptops feeling stressed, like we have to get this done, and slam out words without any joy. Bonus points if you're not drinking water or taking care of your body. You know who you are, you over there in the corner. Yeah, I see you.

But here's the thing: In order to enjoy our writing and to write truly well, self-care is essential. It doesn't take more than a few extra minutes a day to develop healthy habits to keep your body and mind thriving.

Everything within us is connected: Mind, body, soul. If we're stressed and anxious (soul), our skin breaks out, we lose sleep, and forget to eat- or eat too much (body). If we aren't moving our bodies and drinking water (body), our thoughts can become scattered (mind), and that stress creeps up again (soul). It's like a downward spiral that won't stop unless we do something about it.

So if everything is connected, and we aren't taking steps to care for our minds, souls, and bodies, is it any wonder a stressed person is going to have a hard time writing? Turning writing into a chore we have to get done sucks the joy out of our art. We should love what we do even when it's hard, and though there will always be times we don't want to write, it shouldn't be a daily emotion.

But Serena, you say, I'm so busy! How can I possibly work self-care into my life?

I'm glad you asked!

Self-care is not that hard at all, and we can easily work little habits into our lives without spending much time or money. Let's explore some ideas of how we can take care of our minds, bodies, and souls, and how to bring back that creativity that brought us joy.

MIND

Our minds are powerful tools given to us by God, and like all tools, we need to properly care for them. Take a minute each day to simply breathe and collect your thoughts. Catch those ideas and plans and write them down so your brain won't overwork trying to remember everything you need to do. Read good books, learn about things that interest you, find ways to make your studies in school or college interesting so your brain can embrace what it's taking in.

This next part is difficult for everyone, especially for me. But the internet is a powerful source of distraction that sucks away at our time. We’ve all struggled with it. Protect your mind and creativity by limiting internet access. Occasionally go to the dictionary for a word’s definition instead of Googling it. Go outside and watch the sunset instead of a YouTube video for entertainment. Learn a new skill that challenges your intelligence and grows your creativity. Do the hard thing and put the phone down when you want to mindlessly scroll.

(Pssst, mind care doesn’t have to be a drag! Make it fun. Do a crossword puzzle or something 😀)

BODY

You, right there, reading this. Go drink some water. You know you need to.

Our bodies are precious gifts from God, housing our souls and allowing us to do amazing things. Since our body is connected to our mind and soul, we must take care of it in order for everything else to thrive. Get outside, exercise, take walks, jog, swim- find a physical outlet you enjoy such as running or stretching, and start today.

Or maybe don't swim. 'Tis fall, after all!

Don’t forget about a little physical self care as well! Eating healthy food, staying hydrated, and taking up skin care habits will work wonders for your mental health. As the months get colder, use moisturizer. When it’s warm, get some sunshine. Bath salts, face masks, essential oils, etc. Experiment and have fun with all the wonderful little ways you can take care of your body.

SOUL

The soul is the most important thing to take care of. From the soul stems our love of beauty, our deepest emotions, a craving to seek the unknown and to know God. If our bodies and minds are thriving but our soul is starved of attention, then all our efforts are fruitless.

It is from the soul that our creativity stems, and what sets us apart from the rest of God’s creation. We must nourish connection with others, kindness towards the world and ourselves, and service to God.

But how do we incorporate care of the soul into writing? Prayer is a good start. Try praying before you sit down to write. Ask God for creativity, a thirst for truth and beauty, and that your work will make the world a better place. When you write, ask yourself what is behind your writing. Is your driving force something worldly, or a desire to speak the truth, inspire, and uplift? Explore the why behind your writing, and let that why shine through your words, prose, and characters.

Mind, body, soul. Three oh-so-different, but strangely connected attributes of the human being. We were designed by an awesome God who wants us to use what He has given us to bring light to the world. Remember, writer, that you cannot write to your full potential if you are not taking care of yourself. It’s okay to think about how you’re doing and take steps to ensure your health and wellbeing. Don’t feel guilty for taking a break, setting boundaries, or spending a little bit of time watching out for yourself.

Comment below and tell me your favorite self care tips and how you work them into your writing! I can’t wait to see what advice y’all have.

Keep writing!

-Serena Stellington