How to Keep a Successful Writing Routine While Battling a Chronic Illness

by Miles Oliver

Most writers are all too aware of the many things that can get in the way of a writing routine.

From day-to-day life situations like errands, social matters, and busywork to your own mind getting in the way of your creative writing flow — it’s quite easy to become distracted and lose focus.

For some writers, however, finding time to write and being in the mood to write isn’t just about life’s daily distractions; it’s also a matter of not feeling well. When you are struggling with a chronic illness, writing can be even more of a challenge.

Living life as a writer with a chronic illness can be disheartening and debilitating; however, with some flexibility, compassion, self-care, and support, there is no reason you can’t achieve your writing goals.

How a Chronic Illness Can Affect Your Writing Routine

Medical research shows that a person’s physical health and mental health are intrinsically connected. As writing certainly requires the use of a good portion of your mental capacity, this means it can be much harder to do when you are physically unwell, especially chronically so.

No matter what kind of work a person does, if they are dealing with chronic illness, it can significantly reduce their productivity. The longer someone deals with disease and illness, the greater toll it takes on their mind and body, affecting their ability to perform even the simplest of tasks.

Just getting out of bed in the morning can be challenging for someone with a chronic illness. Getting out of bed and being a responsible, productive adult who runs errands, socializes, and sticks to a writing schedule can seem impossible.

Even if you do manage to find the time to write while constantly battling with your health, you might find that the quality of your writing suffers. It only makes sense that if your physical health limits your mental capacity, you will struggle to create eloquent and interesting prose.

While knowing all this might not make things seem better or easier, acknowledging that your chronic illness is getting in the way of your writing is the first step to doing something about it.

You can still write great pieces while battling with your physical health; it just might take a bit longer, and you might need to make some changes.

Four Solutions to Maintain a Writing Routine While Managing a Chronic Illness

Once you have acknowledged your chronic illness and how it is affecting your writing, you can start paving a new road for yourself that is more suited to your situation.

1. Change Your Relationship with Your Writing Routine Goals

Your current relationship with your goals, such as your writing schedule, might be too much for you right now. Even if your schedule is based on a system that worked well for someone else, that doesn’t mean it will work for you.

Writing is a personal process; thus, your goals and schedule need to be unique to your individual needs. Do not force yourself to still do something that isn’t working just to prove a point to yourself or others.

You are still a valid and worthy writer even if you go about achieving your goals in a very different way. It is the end result that matters, not how you got there or how long it took you.

Try this: Toss out whatever schedule you are currently trying to stick to that isn’t working for you and start fresh. Don’t pressure yourself. Just pay attention to your body and what it needs. You still need to write, but you can significantly lower your expectations. Try writing for 10 minutes or setting a goal of 50-100 words. You’re still getting some writing done and you’re adhering to a regular writing routine—both actions that will motivate you to keep going.

Once you start having a healthier and more positive relationship with your writing, then you can start creating small goals. Ease back into a schedule — don’t overwhelm yourself. Continue to pay attention to how you feel and what you need, and if you start feeling stressed again, pull back.

2. Choose Subject Matter That Supports a Healthy Headspace

As there is a mind-body connection, especially for those battling a chronic illness, you might need to take a closer look at what you are writing about and how it relates to your physical health.

The subject matter of your writing could be triggering negative feelings and thoughts, which can make your chronic illness and mental health worse. If you can change your path and write about something that is less triggering, that may help, but don’t force yourself to give up on a project if you are dedicated to it.

Instead, try paying closer attention to your mind and body. Take a break from your writing when the subject you are writing about is making you feel worse.

Go do something completely different from writing to calm yourself, like meditation, yoga, or something else you enjoy. Or try working on a lighter side project to give yourself a break.

3. Prioritize Comfort and Self-Care

When you are battling a chronic illness, writing can start to feel like a chore. So it’s important to find a way back to enjoying your writing again.

Try turning your writing routine into a comfort and self-care routine.

Instead of sitting down to write at a desk or a space that feels professional, try creating a space that feels more comfortable and cozy.

Light some candles (while still making sure you have good light to write by), curl up in a comforting blanket, indulge in some ergonomic writing accessories, get yourself a plate of healthy, mood-boosting snacks and some good tea, and throw on those blue-light blocking glasses to relieve eye strain.

These are just some suggestions, but the idea is to start thinking of your writing as an enjoyable, self-care activity rather than work or a chore you have to push yourself through.

4. Build a Good Support System

A good social support system is crucial for any writer, but especially for one who is struggling with a chronic illness.

As much as you might want to curl up and stay at home, you need socialization and human connection to feel better and to inspire you to write.

Studies have shown that social support can improve clinical outcomes and the overall well-being of those battling chronic illnesses. Essentially, people need people; it’s a natural part of the human condition.

When you spend too much time alone, it can affect your physical and mental health, which can in turn affect your productivity levels. As a writer battling a chronic illness, it is essential for you to have a good support system and people you can lean on and spend time with to help you feel better and improve your connection with your writing. Seeking out other creative friends or joining a writers group that you can confide in can significantly change your productivity and boost your mood.

Final Thoughts

Living with a chronic illness is hard, but it doesn’t have to take over your life and your writing. The first step to improving your writing is acknowledging your illness and making changes necessary to improve your overall well-being.

By being more compassionate with yourself, changing your perspective and your relationship with writing, and getting the support you need, you can achieve your writing goals and live a happier, more balanced life.

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Miles Oliver is an independent writer with a background in blogging and passion for health, psychology, news, and simply helping people live happy and fulfilled lives.

He has lived and traveled all over the United States and continues to expand his awareness and experiences.

When he is not writing, he is most likely mountain biking or kicking back with a cup of tea. You can connect with Miles on Twitter.