How to balance writing and life?
Sources:
Balancing writing with life can be a challenging endeavor, but several experts offer valuable insights on how to manage it effectively:
-
Develop Marketable Skills: Ted Gioia emphasizes the importance of having marketable skills alongside writing. He suggests that young writers often face struggles, such as financial pressures and family time, which aren't addressed sufficiently in writing schools. Balancing writing with life requires a realistic approach that includes other skills to support oneself financially without sacrificing personal life and preferences 1.
-
Consider Work-Life Harmony: Darren Murph argues for "work-life harmony" instead of "work-life balance." He believes in integrating work and life in a way that feels fulfilling rather than striving for an elusive balance. Remote work, for example, can offer more flexibility to enjoy life beyond weekends 2.
-
Embrace Uneven Cycles: Amy Morin discusses how her life goes out of balance when writing a book and how she plans her year to balance out the intense writing periods with more relaxed times. She focuses on making time for social activities and fun to avoid burnout 3.
-
Sustainable Long-term Approach: Ryan Holiday talks about viewing balance over a long horizon, aiming for a sustainable approach. He integrates family life into his career as a way to maintain emotional balance and longevity in his work 2.
-
Living as Writing: Hanif Abdurraqib suggests that living itself is part of the writing process. He believes that engaging fully in life and maintaining relationships enriches one's writing, helping to overcome writer's block and maintain creativity 4.
-
Set Boundaries: David Byrne mentions needing uninterrupted time for creative work while also ensuring he has periods for leisure activities and spending time with friends. This balance helps maintain his creative vitality without overwhelming himself 5.
Ultimately, these insights highlight the necessity of integrating writing with other life aspects, setting boundaries, and taking a long-term sustainable approach to balance.
RELATED QUESTIONS-
