My son started school a year ago, so this summer was my first long school summer holiday. I took time off work and enjoyed doing fun mummy-and-son activities!
When September came around, and he went back to school, I wanted to start writing again. This felt both exciting and daunting. Getting back into the rhythm of it wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped.
I found myself procrastinating; doing anything but writing. And then my son came down with a bug and needed time off school again. Then I caught the bug, and I had no energy to write. Ugh!
The first weeks of September drifted by unproductively. I was determined to get back to writing again, but how? How? HOW?!
If you’re a writer who’s taken a hiatus—whether for a holiday, a demanding day job, or simply life getting in the way—you might be feeling the same way.
The 4 tips that helped me start writing again after a long summer break.
I hope these tips help you start writing again too.
1. Draw Up a Plan
The first step I took was to create a realistic plan.
I asked myself, “What can I genuinely achieve in this block of time?” With six weeks until the next school half-term, I mapped out what I could accomplish before then, and then again in the six weeks leading up to the Christmas holidays.
Breaking down big tasks into smaller, manageable steps made the process less overwhelming.
I listed all the small tasks involved and I estimated how long each would take. This helped me determine how much time I needed to dedicate to writing each week.
Having a plan was both reassuring and motivating. Knowing exactly what I needed to do, step by step, gave me clarity and a sense of control.
Plus, when I realised that I could achieve a significant amount by Christmas if I just started now, I felt encouraged and eager to start.
2. Journal and Meditate
Before diving into writing, especially when feeling distracted, I find it immensely helpful to start with journaling. I spend 2–4 minutes jotting down my thoughts, which helps clear my mind and dismiss any lingering distractions.
This might be a simple question, like, What’s the Most Important Thing I Want to Achieve Today?
Or it could be a gratitude practice, like, What went well yesterday?
Following journaling, a short meditation session puts me in the right frame of mind to start writing.
I enjoy using the Headspace app, which offers brief guided meditations on topics like ‘focus’ and ‘creativity’. However, there are plenty of other meditation apps out there, so you can find one that suits you best.
This combination of journaling and meditation serves as a gentle transition into writing, making it easier to tap into creativity with a fresh mind.
3. Use the Pomodoro Technique
To rebuild my focus and productivity, I turned (again) to the Pomodoro Technique (it’s one of my favourites). This time-management method involves working in focused intervals—traditionally 25 minutes—followed by a short break. However, if you’re really struggling to sit down and write, it’s perfectly okay to start with shorter intervals, like 10 minutes.
I set a timer and commit to writing for that period. This technique helps combat procrastination and makes large tasks feel more manageable. Breaking time into chunks creates a sense of urgency and keeps distractions at bay. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in just a few focused intervals throughout the day.
4. Build a Writing Habit
I’m a big cheerleader of writing habits. We’re much more likely to get the words written when we turn our writing into a habit. We no longer have to make endless, exhausting decisions about if, when and where to write; we just get on and do it. When writing is a habit, it becomes joyful, rather than stressful.
Drawing from Charles Duhigg’s advice on habits, I focused on creating a routine with clear cues and rewards.
To do this, you need a cue, a behaviour and a reward.
~ Identify Your Cue
Choose consistent cues that signal it’s time to write. These cues could be:
- A Specific Time of Day: First thing in the morning or during your lunch break.
- A Certain Place: A dedicated writing space at home or your favourite café.
- Other People: Being around certain individuals who inspire or support your writing habit. For example, joining a writing group or scheduling regular writing sessions with a friend. Or you could come to one of my free Silent Scribes sessions!
- An Emotional State: Feeling energised after exercise or relaxed after meditation.
- A Preceding Behaviour: Straight after completing another habitual activity, like making your morning cup of tea, or walking the dog.
You can have more than one cue to strengthen the habit. For example, every morning after brewing tea in your kitchen, you sit down at your desk to write.
~ Establish the Behaviour
The behaviour is the act of writing itself.
Decide whether you’ll write for a set amount of time or aim to complete a certain number of words.
~ Set a Reward
Rewards reinforce the habit loop. Choose something that genuinely motivates you:
- Enjoy Your First Coffee or Tea of the Day: Savour it while you write.
- Relish Peace and Quiet: Appreciate the quiet house before others wake up.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Perform a small celebratory gesture—a fist pump, a happy dance, or a “woo-hoo!” in the mirror.
- Physical Activity: Do a quick stretch or a brisk walk after your writing session.
By consistently following this cue–routine–reward loop, you’ll strengthen your writing habit, making it easier to sit down and get words on the page every day.
Embrace the Journey Back to Writing
Starting writing after a break doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Remember, it’s okay to start slow and be patient with yourself. I’m a huge fan of self-compassion. So, be kind to yourself, rather than beating yourself up when it doesn’t go perfectly.
If you’re trying to get back into writing after a hiatus, I hope these strategies help you as much as they’ve helped me. And hey, I’d love to hear about your experiences—feel free to share your tips or challenges in the comments below. Or drop me a line here.
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I work with novelists, screenwriters, animation writers, and just about every other type of writer.
I specialise in helping writers develop good writing habits so that they can write more consistently, we also work on the psychology of being a writer – all those tricky feelings, like self-doubt, and the horrible inner critic. And of course, we can talk about the story too, so that you don’t get stuck in a tricky plot problem.
Get in touch if you’re looking for a compassionate writing boss!
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WOW! THANK YOU! And WOW again! Today was SUPERB!
You have helped me SOOOOOOOOOO much.
You are amazing!
Sara, happy new client