Work/Life Balance As A Writer

Work/life balance is hard when you have a full time job, chores to do and you are a human being that needs to feed themselves, bathe and sleep. Throw writing into the mix and you’ll be up at midnight scrambling to get your work done so you can have dinner before the next day starts.

When you become a writer — and I mean a serious writer with intention to put your heart and soul into the work you do so you can publish absolute gold — you add a second full time job into the mix. (If you are a parent this is now your 3rd full time job). To handle that much pressure and responsibility you need to take time out for yourself otherwise you will crack at the seams.

You need a schedule. A schedule is a great way to show your mind all the things you want to get done in a day. And I mean it when I say what you want to get done in a day. Like, for instance, your writing. But your schedule may also include a yoga class, your day job and time with friends. The best way to fit all of this into 24hrs is to:

Prioritise.

So, you want a writing career? Let’s say then you’ll need to prioritise time to write, time to read, and time on social media to promote your platform. You’ll also need time to learn from the masters — this can be done in blogs, vlogs, or in traditional book form.

So, you want to spend time with friends and family? That means you’ll need to prioritise that. Perhaps, two — three hours in the evening? Perhaps you’ll spend time with family during the week and save your friends for the weekend?

So, you want to spend time doing something that you love, maybe yoga, maybe a walk, maybe just an hour of free time for you to veg out in front of your screen.

So, you want to eat? Slap in 1hour intervals 3 times a day.

Opps, did you want to wash yourself too? Okay, shove that in somewhere.

Hahaha, you still want to sleep? How many hours? Are you happy with, I don’t know 8hrs? 8 hours! That’s right. I am able to fit in everything and get a full nights sleep with the schedule I’ve made.

Everyone’s schedule will look different. It fully depends on what you think is the most important aspect of the day.

For me, sleep is my priority. If I get less than 8hours a night I am good for nothing the next day.

Here is a look at my weekend/lockdown writing schedule to help me achieve work/life balance. Below you will also see my week-day schedule.

Saturday/Sunday/Lockdown:

8am: Wake up, eat breakfast, dress in workout clothes.

9am: Exercise. Follow a video on Youtube.

10am: Shower and get ready for the day.

10:30am: Write.

12:30pm: Break for lunch/spending time with family.

1:30pm: Research/write script for YouTube video.

2:30pm: Social Media. (This includes working on your website, blog, Instagram).

3:30pm: Practice Spanish (something I enjoy doing for myself).

4pm: Read a chapter of a book. (I am currently reading a psychology textbook called Abnormal Psychology).

4:30pm: Watch an authortuber or read an article on writing.

5pm: Chill!

10pm: Sleep.

Weekday schedule:

6am: Wake up, breakfast, get ready for work.

7am: Leave the house.

8am: Work

5pm: Arrive home and relax.

5:30pm: Work on script for YouTube video.

6pm: Start on dinner.

6:30pm: Eat dinner with the family.

7:30pm: Write.

8:30pm: Social Media.

9pm: Shower, get ready for the next day and relax.

10pm: Sleep.

The schedule you make will look different to mine. And that is because you will have different priorities. Maybe you need less sleep than I do. Maybe you have more things to fit into your schedule. Perhaps you have more hobbies you like to prioritise. And that’s great!

The benefit of having a schedule is so you can see how everything you want to achieve in the day will fit. And you will also see the spaces you have to take time for yourself, spend time with family and friends or do more writing!