Get Out of a Winter Writing Rut

Posted: January 22, 2016

Freelance writers who spend most of their time on the computer, during cold weather and shorter days, may face writing ruts. The impulse to do the bare minimum, and hunker in under piles of covers can be very tempting. Overcoming that urge, and keeping yourself out of a writing rut can help you keep your productivity flowing. Kristen Pope, writer for The Write Life, shares how to get out of a writing rut due to the winter weather.

Stuck in a Winter Writing Rut? How to Be More Productive This Season

Freelancers who spend a lot of time indoors at a computer can easily fall into a rut during the winter. Bitterly cold days and limited sunlight can make it easy to just stay inside and fall into the same old routine every day. I live in the land of winter in Jackson, Wyoming, so I’m quite familiar with the woes of short days and bitter cold. We have days that don’t get above zero and temperatures that routinely plunge to 20 degrees below zero — and colder. It’s easy to want to hide in a nest of blankets, turn the TV on for comforting background noise, and do the bare minimum from the top of your to-do list. But that hibernation mindset can easily lead to the winter doldrums and a serious case of the blues. Of course, if what you’re experiencing is more than a temporary case of the winter blues, please do seek professional help. But if what you’re experiencing is just a mild mid-winter rut, follow these tips to get un-stuck. 1. Take screen breaks Everyone knows watching videos of baby sloths is a top-notch way to put a smile on your face. Go ahead, try it. I dare you not to smile. Read the entire article Stuck in a Winter Writing Rut? How to be More Productive This Season on The Write Life.