The Benefits of Writing Daily for Writers and Non-Writers

As I've said before, I have a list of rules when it comes to writing. (There's a post dedicated solely to my rules, if you want to check them out.) Rule #7 is to write every single day for at least 30 minutes. Whether you're a writer or not, there are tons of good things that come from making it a habit.

I especially like to start my day with writing. Not only am I the most productive first thing, but that's also when my two little munchkins are at their happiest and most independent, so Mama can actually do things she wants to do.

So I make breakfast for my two-year-old, nurse my baby, grab a cup of coffee (look at my rad Shakespearean insults mug), and sit down to write. Sometimes, it's nicely organized folders of documents on my laptop, and others, like today, it's chicken scratch with my favorite purple pen in a notebook.

Non-Writers, This One's for You!

"But I'm not really a writer. I'm not exactly interested in becoming one, either. I just happened to stumble across this post and thought, why not read it?"

Well, my friend, welcome to the madness! I have some reasons you should write each day, too. Ready, go!

Things Writing Daily Does:

1. Clears your head- You could have a million things running through your brain, and writing it down helps you to organize your thoughts. Make a to-do list. Jot down some goals for the day. It gets you feeling organized, which always feels good! Heck, you can even use it to remember what movies someone has recommended that you don't want to forget to watch. The possibilities are endless.

2. Improves your communication skills- Writing and reading it back helps you decide what works and what doesn't in terms of what you say. If you want to talk to someone about something that's bothering you and don't know how to go about it with tact, do a mind dump about it first. You'll be able to see the things that are helpful and the things that aren't. Of course, that's just an example, because communication goes beyond just hashing out your problems, but you get the point.

3. Teaches you about yourself- You might notice that you tend to write a lot about how you hate the way that frenemy makes you feel. You may find that you're kind of hard on yourself in terms of your physical appearance. (Aren't we all sometimes?) You stress about money a lot. It's possible that you'll think back over your day and realize you spent more money than you would have liked and decide to budget yourself better tomorrow. It's not all about just writing.

4. Disconnects you from the hustle and bustle- How often do you take time out for yourself? Be honest. Probably not very much (at least, I know I don't). Taking twenty minutes to write is a form of self-care in tons of ways. Don't underestimate the power of taking care of yourself and dialing back to something simpler.

5. Relieves pressure/anxiety- Yes, this is different than number one; it's more personal. My grandma used to tell me that holding everything in gives you ulcers, and used that to make me tell her about my feelings. (Pretty funny, I know.) But it's a well-known fact that bottling things up leads to bad things, both mentally and physically. Getting it out, even if nobody else reads it, is highly therapeutic.

6. Kicks motivation into high gear- Completing something, even just scrawling on a page for a little while, makes you feel accomplished! That gets the ball rolling to be productive with other things, too. Maybe you'll do the dishes you've been putting off. Or bathe the dog. Clean our your car. Shoot, I don't know what you need to get done, but getting in a productive mood will help you get it done, whatever it is.

Now, for the Writers

Well, writing daily is obviously helpful for writers, too. Here's what it does for you:

1. Improves syntax/word choices- Practice makes perfect.

2. Reminds you that not everything has to be perfect- Practice makes perfect, yes, but writing often shows you that not everything you write will be what you want it to be, and that's okay. You'll hone your editing skills, if nothing else.

3. Helps you find strengths and weaknesses- I know that I, for one, have learned that I tend to get distracted really easily. By planning to spend thirty minutes each day writing, I've seen that those 6 minutes I spent scrolling through Twitter don't count, so I need to focus more. Or perhaps you'll see that you spent most of your thirty minutes trying to accurately describe your protagonist's eyebrows (guilty as charged), when you had hoped to write out that big scene you've been dreading.

4. Gets the juices flowing- Newton's First Law of Motion says that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion unless acted upon by an opposing force. The same applies with writing.

5. Defines your particular writing style- You'll start to see a trend in the way you string your words together. As a writer, that's always a good thing to understand. Your style defines you and is ultimately what people typically criticize or praise. Get to know what that is, and you'll be able to tweak it as you see fit.

6. Breaks big tasks down into manageable bits- Writing a book is daunting if you try to do it all at once. But two pages a day is far more approachable. You're far more likely to actually complete something if you don't dread it.

So, When and How?

That depends on your particular situation, but make sure that you consciously make time to do it for at least the first 21 days. I've read studies that say it takes that long to make a habit. Then, your day won't feel complete without writing.

As I said in the beginning of this post, it's easiest for me to write in the morning, because that's when my kids are the most willing to let me. But I fully understand that sometimes, you just can't get out of bed with any extra time before you have to get to work, school, or any other obligations you may have.

In that case, try when you're bored after finishing your lunch early. Or possibly after the kids are in bed and you're enjoying an evening glass of wine— erm... Grape juice. (Don't be naughty. Wine is only okay if you're 21 or older.)

I've even been known to write in my notebook on the kitchen counter as dinner is simmering away on the stove. However you make time for it, I promise that the effort is worth it— whether you consider yourself to be a writer or not.

Happy writing,

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