However, for some people who do say "write every day," what they really mean is if you want to write, but you don't have a good idea yet, don't stop yourself from writing. Write garbage! You'll probably turn that garbage into something beautiful, or not. It may just help generate ideas.
The novel I'm working on right now started as garbage on a page. Then it took off.
So I don't agree with the notion that we should write every day, I prefer the suggestion to write garbage.
There’s definitely some power in allowing yourself to write stuff that’s garbage. Like you say, it can lead to other things. Not everything you write has to be audience facing, and even bad writing can teach you what not to do.
Hi Mike! I relate to how frustrating it is to want to work on something only for your brain to spin you in a totally different direction. Battling my own mind is one of the most tiring things I do on a daily basis. I'm glad you're spurring conversation around this struggle.
One strategy I'm trying out is sprinting for a couple of weeks on one project then switching gears and sprinting for a couple of weeks on another project. I realized that working on one thing for an extended period of time drains my interest, so I need to take breaks in order for my interest to rejuvenate itself. So far, it seems to be working, but then again, I only started this month. Fingers crossed?
Cognitive load and burnout are very real for neurodivergents, so self care and listening to your body is essential. I have articles planned in these topics.
I find working in multiple projects helps me retain interest too, as I can flick between and avoid burnout.
Some people find pomodoro timers help, where you do sprints in blocks of 25 minutes, and then take a break. Could be something to try?
I've tried following Pomodoro Youtube videos! But I prefer working in intense chunks of 2-3 hours at a time, so I just end up ignoring the timers. 😅 At least the videos' background music doesn't stop during break times.
Absolutely tailor the technique to suit you! Add a timer for 2 hours. Plus a timer doesn’t have to be a timer exactly—you could put on a 2 hour music video on YouTube. When it stops, it’s time for a break.
And music can be a great aid to doing things, especially when paired with noise-cancelling headphones.
I too tend to write in chunks at random times. Forming a habit is very difficult for me.
I think the thing to do is to reframe your way of looking at things so you celebrate things that you have achieved, instead of deprecating yourself for not achieving neurotypical standards.
You wrote a haiku this week/month/year? Fantastic! Lots of people didn’t! Go you!
And besides—Haiku’s are no joke! They require serious thought and consideration of not only word use, but syllable count, pacing, cadence, theme, etc.
This post itself has achieved my goal of connecting and resonating with people, and you can be sure I’m celebrating that. (And my Duo streak!)
Part of learning to accept yourself is to accept that sometimes, things won’t go to plan. That’s not only part of the neurodivergent condition, it’s part of general human experience. But you can always keep going, as long as you enjoy it.
Remember, lots of neurotypical people feel like they underachieve in the eyes of society too.
So keep writing as and when you can, and allow yourself to do it at your pace.
I don't agree that we have to write every day.
However, for some people who do say "write every day," what they really mean is if you want to write, but you don't have a good idea yet, don't stop yourself from writing. Write garbage! You'll probably turn that garbage into something beautiful, or not. It may just help generate ideas.
The novel I'm working on right now started as garbage on a page. Then it took off.
So I don't agree with the notion that we should write every day, I prefer the suggestion to write garbage.
There’s definitely some power in allowing yourself to write stuff that’s garbage. Like you say, it can lead to other things. Not everything you write has to be audience facing, and even bad writing can teach you what not to do.
Hi Mike! I relate to how frustrating it is to want to work on something only for your brain to spin you in a totally different direction. Battling my own mind is one of the most tiring things I do on a daily basis. I'm glad you're spurring conversation around this struggle.
One strategy I'm trying out is sprinting for a couple of weeks on one project then switching gears and sprinting for a couple of weeks on another project. I realized that working on one thing for an extended period of time drains my interest, so I need to take breaks in order for my interest to rejuvenate itself. So far, it seems to be working, but then again, I only started this month. Fingers crossed?
Thanks for the comment Macy!
Cognitive load and burnout are very real for neurodivergents, so self care and listening to your body is essential. I have articles planned in these topics.
I find working in multiple projects helps me retain interest too, as I can flick between and avoid burnout.
Some people find pomodoro timers help, where you do sprints in blocks of 25 minutes, and then take a break. Could be something to try?
I've tried following Pomodoro Youtube videos! But I prefer working in intense chunks of 2-3 hours at a time, so I just end up ignoring the timers. 😅 At least the videos' background music doesn't stop during break times.
Absolutely tailor the technique to suit you! Add a timer for 2 hours. Plus a timer doesn’t have to be a timer exactly—you could put on a 2 hour music video on YouTube. When it stops, it’s time for a break.
And music can be a great aid to doing things, especially when paired with noise-cancelling headphones.
Thanks for the comment Ari.
I too tend to write in chunks at random times. Forming a habit is very difficult for me.
I think the thing to do is to reframe your way of looking at things so you celebrate things that you have achieved, instead of deprecating yourself for not achieving neurotypical standards.
You wrote a haiku this week/month/year? Fantastic! Lots of people didn’t! Go you!
And besides—Haiku’s are no joke! They require serious thought and consideration of not only word use, but syllable count, pacing, cadence, theme, etc.
This post itself has achieved my goal of connecting and resonating with people, and you can be sure I’m celebrating that. (And my Duo streak!)
Part of learning to accept yourself is to accept that sometimes, things won’t go to plan. That’s not only part of the neurodivergent condition, it’s part of general human experience. But you can always keep going, as long as you enjoy it.
Remember, lots of neurotypical people feel like they underachieve in the eyes of society too.
So keep writing as and when you can, and allow yourself to do it at your pace.