Don’t feel bad for not writing as much as you think you should. The years have thrown several spanners into the works of many well-oiled systems — some justifiably, some in a terrible way. Suffice to say that if you’re on Planet Earth right now, unless you’re in the 1 percent, you are doing some hard yards.

Though it’s not as physically taxing as, say, raising a barn, writing can be both a psychologically and emotionally demanding task, and for some a physically demanding one as well. So much so that many of us with pre-existing mental and physical health conditions simply won’t have the capacity to deal with writing on top of other responsibilities, obligations, and the accompanying stress and anxiety.

Writing, however, can also be therapeutic. So if you take comfort in smashing a daily word count, more power to you! For the rest of us, a switch to other types of writing may hold the answer — expressive writing, streams of consciousness, journals, essays, and anything else that allows those writing muscles to flex without the added strain of creativity.

From Harvard Health: The act of thinking about an experience, as well as expressing emotions, seems to be important. In this way, writing helps people to organize thoughts and give meaning to a traumatic experience.

If writing doesn’t make you feel better, though, don’t fall into the trap of thinking there’s something wrong with you. “Write everyday” is good professional advice, but so are “rest and recover” and “spend precious time with the people you love”.

We’re all different; we each have different strengths and needs. Sometimes the only way around is around, other times, it’s through. Put away the pen (or keyboard) if you have to and if you can, and enjoy the peacefully rebellious act of looking after yourself.

First published in Dot Club #23 (October 2020). Updated 2024.