Look, everybody leads a different life. Some people have little kids they’re watching grow up. Every moment is precious - don’t forget that camera. Some throw their youth into work, spending countless hours giving their body to a corporation and leaving only a slice of themselves left over (been there - done that). It’s difficult to determine a healthy habit of writing in the chaos that can be life. To sell one way as a solution just doesn’t sit right and it’s not going to help anyone.

I’ve found myself lost for hours, reading online articles about how to optimize my writing time by following a strict guideline - which has been proven useful by the very article author. Why shouldn’t it work for any writer?

But we all have different obligations that can make it difficult to carve specific time just to write. A daily habit might last a few weeks, but then drop off when something unexpected happens. Perhaps your schedule changes and the time you originally saved for writing, now is filled with work. This creates a negative belief that you’ve failed at something; but the truth is that adaptation is key.

Listen To What Parts Work For You

I’ve been searching for a habit since before Haus Reverie has been a thought in my brain. The closest I’ve come is a repetitive nature that includes waking up early, even on my days off work. I’m a morning writer; the sunshine and bird songs putting me in a calming mood. Everyone is either asleep or at work and the silence is welcome in a world with so much noise.

Each day is different. But the idea is the same. I listen to my moods and follow instincts. One day the best word starter happens after planning out a short bike ride through the neighborhood trail. Another day it’s creating a little digital forest as Pomodoro’s ring the finish bell. And sometimes it’s simply just writing a page in my journal. None of it is consistent. Except the main goal: to write.

Nature & Healing

Maybe I’m more inclined because of my beliefs and natural love of nature, but walking through trails is a way that I recharge my writing mojo. In this day and age where so many of us rely on technology, we forget to take a step away from the screens. But being outside has a lot of healthy benefits.

As a writer, it helps my mind wander away from the stress of daily life. Without the busy noise of the town, bird calls sound more like music. Rustled leaves will make you search for the furry critter that ran past, up and towards the top branch of the tree. It’s an escape.

What will you find on your walk? The plot to your next murder mystery? Or maybe a supernatural encounter on a trail late at night? Perhaps something more mundane, like a few moments to do absolutely nothing.

Yes, You Can Fill That Notebook

The task seems completely unrealistic - I mean, how does one cover a notebook with unworthy words? But trust me, there will be another book to buy. Stop giving yourself the excuse: “I can’t write, I don’t know what to put in it.”

Do artists think this when they create their masterpieces?

When you do find some idle time, but believe that you couldn’t possibly write due to Writer’s Excuse #37 - pick up the most recently bought notebook.

Ask yourself these questions:
What attracted you to the notebook?
Was it the paper quality or the outside cover?
Some notebooks - usually the recycled ones - tend to have really captivating pictures on the cover. Did you see a story in the cover?

Another consideration is that notebooks are quite easy to carry on your person nearly everywhere you go. The only disadvantage is you’d have a hard time writing at night without the help of a mini lamp. Whenever you find some free time, you can grab that notebook out of your backpack or purse and jot down whatever comes to mind in those moments.

Pomodoro’s That Turn Into Trees

Shortly after doing my rounds online, searching for helpful tips on writing more consistently, everyone talked about “the Pomodoro technique”. A ritual simple enough. Though sometimes simple can be boring to the ADHD mind.

Until I stumbled upon an app called Forest. It works as a little pocket forest that grows each time you complete a Pomodoro (which you can customize). This app makes you feel like you’re playing a game, while keeping you focused on a particular task - like writing! Earn coins and buy new flowers to decorate your garden exactly how you want it.

Although I don’t use it every time I write, it’s a tool to keep in my box for when instincts tell me that I might need it.

We might not be able to figure out a ‘perfect’ writing routine that we can adhere to every single day. But listen to those methods that do work. Learn to integrate them into your daily life. Working your 9-5? Jot a few things down in your notebook on your lunch break. Only have a few hours to yourself after the kids go to bed? Write for 30 minutes before bed instead of scrolling social media on your phone.

It doesn’t matter how much you write, just that you make an attempt to get something down. As you start to feel more solid in your unique routine, you’ll notice the words flow easier. Then you can begin adding more goals to your writing journey.