Photo by Raimond Klavins, Unsplash.

The beginning of the year is always a good time to re establish your writing routine.  But what happens if you miss your chance because you are on holidays or having too much fun? Don’t worry, there are plenty more chances through out the year when the different dates of various New Years roll around. Chinese New Year, came early this time — January 22 and we just celebrated Losar, Tibetan New Year on Feb 21. Next up on March 21 comes Iranian New Year, Nowruz.  And so it goes.

But we all know how hard resolutions are to keep, which is why it is a good idea to renew your committment to the writing process on a regular basis.  It doesn’t take much time, you don’t even have to write anything down. You just need to quietly say to yourself at the beginning of each week, or indeed each day. (Actually, I like to say it the night before as I am going off to sleep)…

‘ I’m committed to this writing project. I make time in my life to give it all the attention it needs.’

or

I’m committed to seeing my writing project through to completion and helping it find an audience. ‘

You can add other affirmations to it as well, like…

‘ Today the writing will flow, I will stick to my goals and any obstacle sto writing will dissolve quicky into thin air’

and so on.

You can also add a small ritual, like lighting some incense, arranging some flowers, as you sit down at your desk. Take some time to close your eyes, sit in stillness for a moment or two, and mutter your committment to yourself. Visualise your finished book and see yourself offering it to the world as a gift.

Then get to work..

If throughout the day you find yourself faltering , take a break, have a cup of tea, watch the steam rise and sit in stillness again,  repeating your committment and gently visualising a way through the problem.

Before you go to sleep at night, think back on what you achieved during the day and give thanks for the privilege of having the time and conditions to write. Not everyone does.

Every new day is chance to begin again!

Happy writing!

Jan

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