If you're a Grammarly user, you would know they send weekly insights on your writing progress via email.
A few weeks ago, I received one such email titled, "Did you take a writing break?"
That struck a chord.
I realised I had not sat down to write and post online for the past couple of months. Thanks for that Grammarly.
If there is one thing that has held me back as a digital writer, it's writing consistently.
I've started and stopped writing on my blog and social media channels so many times over the years. The inconsistency has been incredibly frustrating. I go through periods where I write and post regularly, and then life happens. Work gets crazy, kids need attention, or unexpected events like a family emergency or a sudden work project demand my immediate focus, and my writing projects get de-prioritised.
Then, weeks, sometimes even months, go by without a single. word. written.
It feels like I'm constantly starting over, never truly building momentum or establishing a strong online presence. I miss out on opportunities to connect with others and share what I have learned. It's even more frustrating when I see other digital writers churning out great work daily while I struggle to publish even one piece of content monthly.
But here’s how I've decided to move forward with this obstacle:
1. It’s OK to prioritise life
Life happens, and sometimes, it’s OK to let writing take a backseat. Prioritising family, work, and personal well-being is crucial. The key is to remember that writing can be a flexible part of life. It does not have to be an all-or-nothing endeavour.
2. Don’t compare yourself with others
It’s easy to compare yourself with others, especially with social media's visibility. Every digital writer’s journey is different. Instead of measuring my progress against other established digital writers, I'm going to focus on my own journey and the knowledge I gain in the process.
3. It’s OK to work at a slower pace
I'm a busy, stressed-out working mom from the sandwich generation. I don't have time to churn out content every day, and that's OK. If I can't post every day, I need to be OK with posting once a week or once a month. It’s important to set realistic and manageable targets that fit within my lifestyle. Setting unrealistic goals has led to frustrations and burnout. If I can only write one piece a month, it's progress worth celebrating.
4. If you fall off track, get back on it as soon as you can
Life will throw curveballs, and there will be times when you will fall off track. That's just life. I've made it a point to get back to writing as soon as possible without feeling the need to start over. I will pick up where I left off and keep moving forward.
5. Focus on the process, not the outcome
Writing is a journey, and growth happens in the process itself. I won't get overly fixated on the end result. I'll aim to enjoy the act of writing, the learning, and the creative flow.
6. Embrace imperfections
No piece of writing will ever be perfect, and that’s OK. Embracing the imperfections and the learning moments they bring is a joy in itself. Perfectionism can be a barrier to productivity and creativity, so I aim to let go of this pressure and enjoy the process.
7. Celebrate small wins
Recognising and celebrating progress, no matter how small, is crucial. Each piece of content I create, each day I write, and each milestone I reach is an achievement in itself.
