3 Things Fall And Writing Have In Common
Fall season is in full swing here in the northern hemisphere! As we go deeper into this season, I’m noticing commonalities between Fall and the writing process:
Changing Of The Colors And Writing Routines
Just as the turn of the fall season brings a change in the color of the leaves, a new writing project might just require a change of your writing routine, or even your personal routine. When you look at the trees, they tend to stay the same, with some changes in the branches as the leaves fall.
If you have a rut in your writing, or are struggling to stay on pace with editing, here are some things to consider:
Do you have a writing plan, outline, or process?
If so, does it need to be updated to fit your current situation?
If you don’t have a plan, outline, or process, brainstorm which of these might be most helpful for you.
Taking Care Of Your Wellbeing
This one may seem like a stretch, but it’s easy to lose sight of yourself when you’re preoccupied with getting something done. As a tree shifts into the Fall season, the focus isn’t on creating lush leaves. The focus is now maintaining its energy and nutrients in the root system until Spring returns.
So when it comes to your world of writing, consider different ways to take care of your wellbeing:
Consider your current workload. Do you need to ramp up or scale down?
Are there any tasks, writing related or not, that you can delegate to save yourself time and energy?
Try getting back to the basics. Are you staying hydrated, eating enough, and moving around? Even if you’re sitting down all day writing, your mind and body need to be taken care of and replenished.
A Change Of Pace For Preparation
Even though all of nature is winding down and preparing for Winter, there is still a flurry of preparation to be seen. From squirrels hiding away nuts, to bears hibernating, even the animals want to ensure that they’re prepared to finish the year and make it to Spring.
Although you may not be trying to survive in the wild, you’re likely wrapping up goals for the end of the year or even planning for the year ahead. Before the holidays arrive and the new year begins, think about what you want to accomplish:
Are there any outstanding goals or action items that you need to finish your writing or edit your manuscript?
With the upcoming holidays and year-end, what do you need to reprioritize to ensure that the project is completed?
Do you need help wrapping up for the year or getting a plan together for your next project?
Even though the seasons are changing and the year is coming to a close, there’s no need to run around frantically like a squirrel. Instead, be intentional. Revamp your writing routine if needed. Take care of yourself by asking for help. Prepare for success, now and in the future so that you can rest without worry.
If you’re tackling all of this like a champ, then good for you! That’s great! If you need help adding structure and intention to your end of year writing endeavors, don’t do it alone. We’re here to help. Chat with us to see how we can partner in bringing peace and productivity to your Q4 writing goals.