Public discourse around the subject of writers’ mental health is far too often skewed in the direction of mental illness. You can’t bring up writing and mental health without someone mentioning Poe, Virginia Woolf, or Sylvia Plath. The classic (stereotypical) portrait of the literary artist has, for much of human history, been that of a tortured soul hunched over a writing desk, furiously scribbling away at some masterpiece which will tragically go unrecognized until long after his (or her) death. And even now, a quick Google search of “mental health for writers” will turn up more results about the emotional toll of striving to be a successful writer than anything about what to do about it.
There are enough “mad genius” listicles out there, and more than enough discussions about whether writers are any crazier than the rest of the world. (For what it’s worth, I believe it’s entirely possible that we writers and voracious readers of fiction are the only sane ones in an otherwise increasingly mad world—but then, perhaps that’s just my bias talking.) And while there is a lot I could add to the discussion about my own struggles throughout my writing journey, today I’d prefer to take things in a more positive direction. Let’s talk instead about what we writers can do to take better care of ourselves and our mental health.
1. Take a breath. Take a break.
As a writer, it’s all too easy to get lost in writing and forget to take care of yourself. I’m all for falling down the rabbit hole now and then—but you also have to remember to come back up for a breath of fresh air and a real-world break from the crazy beautiful Wonderland that is the writing process. So take regular breaks. I know how difficult it can be to walk away from your work when you’re in the thick of it, especially if there’s a deadline looming, but it’s been proven time and again that breaks help our brains work better and actually help us be more productive throughout the day. After all, which is more likely to put you behind schedule: a 15-minute break or two, or complete burnout (which can take weeks to recover from)? Don’t be an Alexander Hamilton, always writing like you’re running out of time—take the Schuyler sisters’ advice and take a freaking break.
2. Unchain yourself from your desk. Be free!
Getting away from your desk and out into the great outdoors is so much more important than you might think. It’s physically better for you than sitting and pounding away at a keyboard all day. The sunlight ups your vitamin D, and light exercise on a regular basis helps you stay fit and healthy. Plus, fresh air and a long walk can clear out mental cobwebs and give you fresh perspective.
But quick neighborhood walks alone aren’t enough. When I say “get away from your desk,” I mean go far away, whenever you can—to another city, another country, even another continent if you can manage it. Travel can be such a great source of writing inspiration and life experience. And taking an extended break from your regular writing routine can help give you the distance you need to evaluate your schedule, workload, and goals and see if some adjustments might be in order.
3. Filter out the noise and focus on growth.
Don’t let bad reviews (or bad reviewers) drag you down. Negative feedback is inevitable—remember, even J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling have their critics! Fixating on feedback is a surefire way to trap yourself in fears of inadequacy and failure. All writers face rejection; the key is to filter out judgment and hollow negativity in favor of focusing only on what you did well, and what you can do better next time. Or, to offer a perfectly acceptable alternative: don’t read your reviews at all. Ever. Some studies say reading feedback can actually hurt your progress as a writer—not to mention negative feedback can be a trigger for many mental health disorders.
4. Own your writing space.
Your writing space isn’t just a physical place you go to get writing done. It should be your creative sanctuary, whether it’s a nook in the wall or a dedicated office space. Take some time once in awhile to organize your workspace just the way you like it, whether you prefer alphabetical order and file folders or following a system of ordered chaos which makes sense to you and only you. Consider decorating it with things that motivate you and help you focus. Personally, I like to keep a few small artsy items on my desk, including a pewter dragon and a tiny cat made of scrap metal parts, and I have a few Lord of the Rings posters hanging just above my desk that I can look up at whenever I need a little extra inspiration. I also keep a pen-and-paper daily planner right next to my computer to help me stay on track throughout the day.
5. Write (and read) for yourself sometimes.
No matter how much you love it, writing isn’t always fun. It’s hard work, and keeping readers (and/or clients or employers) happy can make us forget why we started writing in the first place. Make sure to leave some space in your life for writing and reading just for fun. Even keeping a short journal on a regular basis can do wonders for your mental health, and the same goes for reading a good book. It’s important to remember how to enjoy words if you want to make sure your own are enjoyable for others. If you’re having trouble “turning your brain off” after hours, try a brief mindfulness practice, such as a guided meditation or a simple breathing exercise, to reorient yourself and wind down before grabbing your diary or your favorite novel.
6. Keep emergency wellness tools handy.
Though many writers live with ongoing mental illness, you don’t have to have a clinical diagnosis to suffer from burnout or a breakdown. Keep a mental health toolkit handy for whenever things start to get too overwhelming. This might be something like a checklist on your phone of activities you know will help you feel better (like taking a long bath or watching your favorite comedian do stand-up) or a speed-dial list of people you can call anytime when you need support (including friends and family as well as helplines, crisis hotlines, or a therapist’s phone number). Alternatively, you might prefer a calming playlist you can listen to whenever you’re down or stressed, or a mental health app to help ground you when you’re at a loss. Your toolkit should include anything and everything you might need in case of sudden or severe episode of stress, anxiety, depression, or any other mental health condition you may be living with.
Remember: everyone gets overwhelmed sometimes. No one is immune, and it doesn’t mean you’re “crazy” or weak. Being prepared isn’t an admission of defeat; it just helps make the hard times easier to cope with.
7. Prioritize your health first.
Contrary to what, shockingly, is still quite a popular belief, you don’t have to be tortured to be an artist. While writing can be a therapeutic way to work through pain, it should never become a source of pain or a barrier to wellness—nor should your work take precedence over your mental health. Putting your health first doesn’t mean you’re betraying your dream or your craft. It means taking care of yourself so that you’re mentally, emotionally, and physically fit enough to continue to grow as a writer and make your dream a reality.
Mental Health and the Writer’s Life
This list isn’t exhaustive, nor is it a guaranteed cure or preventative for every (or, indeed, any) mental health issue. I am not trained in any way as a medical or psychological expert. These are simply self-care practices which I, as both a writer and as someone who has struggled with mental and emotional hurdles in the past, have found helpful over the years. I am simply sharing them in the hope that others will find them helpful as well. Whether these tips specifically come in handy for you or not, please be sure to take care of yourself—whatever that means to you.
And, as always, I encourage you to keep going, even when the going gets tough. Keep writing. Keep reading. And never stop dreaming.
