Why Writers Should Take Breaks and Mini-Rewards That Follow

When I jumped back into writing after a five-year hiatus, I rarely took breaks. I convinced myself to be successful, I had to plow forward no matter what.

Except plowing forward didn’t include burnout.

I came to realize writers should—must—take breaks or accept premature defeat. We weren’t created to work 24-7 without recharging our batteries for a time or sometimes for a season.

I changed my way of doing some things, altered my schedule, and pressed on full steam ahead—again.

Same goals, different plan. A plan that was less intensive and one that included more down time.

That worked fine until recently.

Until I sensed the familiar weight of expectation and restlessness. The one that goes with prolonged periods of expended effort and seemingly little to show for it.

I recommitted to (a) more breaks and (b) more mini-rewards.

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I sometimes joke about my morning jolt of java. (Except it’s really not a joke. I do like my coffee!)

Because I’m health-focused, I don’t drink the entire pot, but I certainly would if I weren’t worried about it robbing the much-needed calcium from my bones.

I generally follow a routine. Two cups of coffee in the morning and one in the afternoon just after lunch. (Sometimes, I’ll brew a pot of tea just to vary my routine.)

I also have another hidden pleasure… I like chocolate with my coffee. Usually, one or two Doves candies do nicely, but occasionally, I’ll splurge and open up a supersize box of Junior Mints.

And yes, I realize chocolate contains caffeine so I don’t over-indulge.

I’m disciplined about it.

(By the way, did you know that 16 Junior Mints have 170 calories? That’s why I measure out 16 of the decadent sweet treats when I have them with my coffee.)

Since I drink my coffee black, with no sugar or creamer, I think my little chocolate reward is the least I can do for myself.

Like with anything in life, we need to find what works for us (within reason and using common sense) and something that will equip us in getting the job done. In my case, that’s writing–with coffee and a wee bit of chocolate.

Discovering those little pleasures that aid productivity is what enhances the process. And knowing when to take breaks is key.

After our break or time off, we know when we need a kick-start—whether that be to our day or a with a particular project.

It’s important to have that one element that recharges us and sets us back on the right course. It might be something as simple as coffee, a meaningful passage of scripture, or wise words from a friend. It’s something that propels us forward and motivates us to keep on keepin’ on.

Our motivators should never be self-indulgent, harmful, or addictive. Those defeat our purpose and distort our vision.

A little coffee and chocolate are one thing (well, two things) that motivate me throughout the day. I set limits on the amount of each so they don’t control my day.

Regarding our breaks, it’s important we evaluate why they work for us:

 

• Do they enhance productivity?

 

• Do they promote well-being?

 

• Are they conducive to a positive mindset?

 

• Will they influence the desired outcome?

 

Our motivators can be something as simple as coffee and chocolate or as detailed as a twelve-step guide to blogging.

There’s no iron-clad set of rules.

Whatever works, whatever’s legal, and whatever reduces the stress of intense testing are individual preferences.

With the approach of summer, I’ll take more breaks. That’s when I’ll also combine day trips with research.

It may mean additional time off from blogging and limited activity on social media.

I’ll give, but I’ll also take a little more me time.

It’s the smart thing to do.

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Do you take breaks to prevent burnout?

How do you reward yourself?

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Breaks aren’t lazy or selfish. Key things to remember: (Click to Tweet)

How to prevent burnout—>Two practices writers should follow: (Click to Tweet)

Blessings Always,