How I Mastered a Daily Writing Habit

Do you wish you could write more and make writing your daily habit? 

But find it challenging to write consistently every day?

Sometimes life gets busy and those blank pages stare back at you.

When we start something and set goals for ourselves we are full of energy and want to achieve everything. However, with time we get lazy, lack inspiration and finally give up. 

When I was doing the job I used to get everything done on time and everyone used to admire me for meeting deadlines. But since I’ve started working from home, procrastination has become my best friend. I used to spend hours scrolling through social media apps.  

Later, I realized something was wrong and that I should spend my precious time wisely. I have better things to do than scrolling through social media. 

Since then I started building a writing habit and now I can’t imagine a day without putting pen to paper. 

And I know you want to do the same too.

So, let me share all my secrets for building a daily writing habit. 

Importance of A Daily Writing Habit:

Our mind is a jumbled mess. Sometimes, thoughts are bouncing around like ping-pong balls. 

Daily writing is like cleaning it up! Giving your brain a workout, making it sharper and better at thinking things through.

Here's what happens when you write daily, even for a few minutes;

Improves Writing skills: 

Writing regularly helps you become a better writer by allowing you to practice and develop your skills over time. Consistency develops your imagination and improves your writing abilities.

Boosts Creativity And Idea Generation: 

Writing down your thoughts and ideas can spark new creative insights and solutions. Having regular times for writing helps create a safe place for ideas to emerge.

Enhances Focus:

Maintaining a consistent writing routine can improve your ability to concentrate, prioritize tasks, and achieve your goals. Moreover, writing frees up mental space to analyze and ask relevant questions to improve decision-making.

Promotes Self-Reflection And Emotional Processing: 

Writing helps you process emotions, solve problems, and clarify your thoughts and feelings. It allows you to enter a world of possibilities no matter what happens in your life.

Cultivates Discipline And Commitment:

Sticking to a daily writing habit helps build self-discipline and a sense of accountability, which can positively impact other areas of your life. It shows how powerful our daily actions are in practising good habits.

Support Goal Setting And Achievement: 

Regularly writing down your goals and aspirations can increase your chances of accomplishing them. Writing your goals down in the present tense as if you've already achieved them helps your mind believe it is possible.

Improves Communication: 

Writing is a skill you use all the time, even in texts to friends. The more you write, the clearer and more confident you'll sound in everything you say and write.

Boosts Confidence: 

As your writing skills get sharper, you'll naturally feel more confident putting yourself out there. You might even discover a hidden love for writing!

Fosters A Sense Of Gratitude: 

A daily writing practice, such as a gratitude journal, can enhance your overall well-being and outlook on life.

Strategies to Develop a Daily Writing Routine:

Since I started writing daily I can look back on everything that has happened in my life. And I think that’s one of the best perks of writing daily. 

Certainly, it takes some patience and the right approach but soon you'll have a routine you love. 

Here’s what I did to build a writing habit;

1. Make Time To Write: 

When something is important to you, you make time for it. You schedule your day around and decide not to miss that task at any cost. 

Setting aside a specific time each day for writing helps make it a regular part of your routine. It could be in the morning before school or work, during lunch breaks, or in the evening before bed. You don't need to spend a long period; even 10-15 minutes can make a big difference.

However, it might seem hard at first, but even busy people can do it with a little planning. Try scheduling your writing session in your calendar and treat it like any other important appointment.

2. Walk Daily:

We all know that walking daily is important for good health. 

But you know what?

 

Daily walks can help build a strong writing habit as it stimulates creative cells. Moreover, the physical activity clears your head, boosting focus when you return to writing.

I take a walk on my terrace every day before writing. When I come back I make my favourite iced coffee and start writing.

The main part of writing happens when we're walking because while walking we can

• Think
• Reflect
• Observe
• Brainstorm

The remaining is when we sit down to write and by then we are clear about what and how we’ll write. 

So, take a walk before writing for at least 20 minutes, capture ideas, grab your favourite beverage and you'll see your writing better.

3. Manage Your Emotions:

Emotions can greatly impact your writing habits. Learning to manage them effectively can make a big difference in staying consistent. Whether it's writer's block, self-doubt, or distractions, understanding and controlling emotions can help you stay focused and productive. 

Moreover, we tend to put things on tomorrow when we’re tired and want to give up. So, don’t let your feelings drive your actions and negative emotions stop you. Instead, use writing as a way to express and understand your feelings.

4. Keep A Journal Or Start A Blog:

Writing every day is easier when you have a place to put your thoughts. Therefore, keeping a journal or starting a blog can help you build a daily writing habit.

A journal lets you write down your thoughts, ideas, and daily experiences. It's a personal space where you can practice writing every day.

On the other hand, a blog gives you a platform to share your writing with others and keep you motivated.

There are many platforms where you can write for free online, like Blogger, and Medium. These sites make it easy to create and publish your writing.

I have a vast collection of colourful diaries, which have been my go-to resource for journaling since childhood. Later, when I started writing professionally, I began writing on Medium.

Hence, both options help you write regularly and improve your skills.

5. Writing Drill: 

A writing drill is a fun and effective way to develop a daily writing habit. It’s like a quick exercise that helps you practice writing every day.

One of the best exercises I used to do daily is;

• Write one topic that is going on in my mind
• Write 10 bullet points around that topic
• Close my journal and sleep

Don’t worry about making mistakes or perfecting your work. The goal is to get your thoughts flowing and make writing a natural part of your day.

6. Keep Track Of Your Streak:

How fun it is to keep a Snapchat streak going? 

Every day you send a snap to your friend, and that fire emoji shows up. Similarly, tracking your writing streak can be exciting! Every day you write adds to your streak, just like each snap counts towards that goal.

To help you stay consistent, you can use platforms like Write & Improve and 750 Words. Write & Improve lets you practice your writing and get feedback, while 750 words encourage you to write at least 750 words daily.

Both tools can help you track your progress and make writing a daily habit feel rewarding and fun.

Also, you can use a calendar or a notebook to mark each day you write. Seeing your progress can inspire you to keep going. If you miss a day, don't worry! Just focus on getting back to writing the next day.

Wrapping Up:

Building a daily writing habit has been a rewarding journey for me. I’ve found that writing every day honed my skills and enriched my life. 

Whether it's through setting achievable goals, finding inspiration in unexpected places, or simply putting pen to paper, mastering this habit has empowered me to grow as a writer and as a person.

If you’re looking to start your own writing journey, just begin! 

With patience and practice, you too can master the art of daily writing. 

The key is to stay committed and consistent. 

Keep writing, and enjoy the process!

Happy Writing!