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Adapting Writing Practices to the Changing Seasons of Life, a conversation with your podcast hosts, Stephanie Oswald, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Wilson

As a writer, you often find yourself navigating the ebbs and flows of life alongside your creative pursuits. This delicate balance becomes even more apparent during the summer months, as you may be faced with a disrupted schedule and demands for your time that are different from other times of the year. In this week’s podcast, we share insights about how it’s possible to adjust writing routines amidst the joys and demands of life and we offer you some points of reflection on the adaptability required in any writer's journey.

Seasonal Shifts in Writing

The shifting seasons are often accompanied by changes in routine. This is not just true for our writing, but for many aspects of life. When summer arrives, we are met with the promise of freedom and adventure, but it also brings a distinct shift in routines for many families, which can be an added challenge as a creative with school-aged children. There can be a significant increase in caregiving responsibilities, adding to the complexity of your daily schedule, or you find yourself immersed in managing various commitments beyond your writing.

It’s okay if you’re facing challenges when it comes to maintaining a consistent writing practice. You might need to try different strategies to see what works. In the podcast, we share how we attempted early morning and afternoon writing sessions only to find ourselves encountering interruptions and a lack of creative flow. Despite setbacks you might face, when you take time to acknowledge the challenges and give yourself grace in the process, you’ll be able to prevent creative blocks and get back to your writing. 

Renewed Focus and Community

There’s a cyclical nature to creative productivity. With the shifting schedules of summer, you might need more periods of rest and this doesn’t equate to failure as a writer, but are essential phases of renewal for your creative pursuits. When you shift your perspective from self-criticism to self-care, you’ll find yourself able to nurture yourself as a writer and sustain a long-term creative life.

As summer is beginning to come to a close, at least where we are located, and the new school year is set to start, we know there will be more changes to your writing schedules. New challenges will arise, but taking this time in the summer to reflect will only help strengthen your writing. We also encourage you to find a community of writers, even if it’s a small group of 2 or 3 or you, to connect with and provide each other with accountability, support, and guidance.  

Celebrating Yourself

You are resilient amidst the ups and downs of life. When you embrace your adaptability, honor your  intuitive rhythms, and seek inspiration from diverse sources, you can thrive in any season. It’s important to celebrate each “win” along the way no matter how big or small. 

 Welcome to the Inspired Writer Collective podcast. If you've ever felt the pull to write your truth, to shape the chaos of real life into something meaningful and to share your journey with the world, you're in the right place. We're your hosts, Elizabeth and Stephanie, writers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who believe in you and know how important it is to find a writing community to guide you on your path to self-publishing.

You’re invited to connect with us by joining our Embodied Writing Experience where you’ll get a writer’s retreat directly to your inbox on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays each week. Whether you’re working on a memoir, a novel, or journaling for yourself, this is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and write with embodied intention.   

J