Rediscover the joy of writing

If you embarked on an academic career, chances are you initially found joy in the act of writing. Perhaps it was the thrill of new ideas forming in your mind, the satisfaction of solving intellectual puzzles, or the gratification of effectively communicating an idea to others.

However, as you progressed, you might have noticed that this joy often gets overshadowed by stress and looming deadlines. Writing may now be associated with feelings of pressure, frustration, and guilt. This is understandable given the myriad demands of academic life. Finding time to write can feel like a daunting task, and there's often a lingering sense of guilt for prioritizing personal writing over other responsibilities such as research projects or attending to students.

Rekindling the joy of writing and fostering a positive relationship with it can significantly impact your productivity and well-being. Here are some strategies to consider:

1. Establish a starting ritual

Just like any other practice, having a starting ritual can help ease you into the writing mode. This could be brewing coffee, tidying your workspace, or setting a timer. I once worked with a scholar who enlisted the help of her partner to switch on the computer and open her current document. This simple act eliminated the temptation of getting distracted by emails. Alternatively, if you're looking to spark creativity, you might try free-writing for 10-15 minutes, a technique favored by Natalie Goldberg, in her excellent guide to writing, "Writing Down the Bones."

2. Set clear boundaries for writing time

During your Ph.D., you probably felt like the master of your own time. However, as a professor, time becomes a precious commodity. That's why it's crucial to set clear boundaries around your writing time and communicate them to others. Whether you prefer shorter, daily sessions or longer, dedicated blocks of time, block them off in your calendar. Turn off those pesky email notifications, establish office hours, and do whatever it takes to create a conducive environment for writing. Who knows? Your commitment might even inspire others to do the same!

3. Celebrate your writing wins

While our brains are wired to focus on the negatives, it's essential to celebrate our successes too. In my work with clients, I often encourage them to spend a couple of minutes after each writing session reflecting on their accomplishments. Together, we celebrate the moments when the writing went smoothly. This practice ensures that positive experiences are not overshadowed by challenges and are instead firmly embedded in our memory.So, the next time you have a productive session or overcome a difficult paragraph, take a moment to relish that feeling of success. It will help reinforce positive associations with writing and keep you motivated.

Remember, these are just a few strategies that I’ve seen work in rekindling the joy of writing. There are countless others out there. The key is to experiment and consistently reflect on what works best for you.