It’s Back to Writing Season

4 Ways to Use The Shift to Autumn to Strengthen Your Writing Routine

Happy Autumn everyone!

Okay, I know it’s not officially fall yet. But to me, the day after Labor Day always signifies the beginning of fall.

I think we’re conditioned from elementary school to view Labor Day as a transition day. As school-aged kids, it’s the last day of our summer freedom. It’s the last day we can sleep in late, not worry about homework, and spend the day doing whatever we please.

I remember in school whenever we were asked what our favorite season was, most kids said summer. It was the season of freedom and, hey, the warm weather and beach time was an added bonus. For me, it was always fall.

Back to school meant a fresh start. The familiar routine of the days and weeks always inspired me. The changing weather to crisp and cool, the beautiful colors of the trees as they prepared for winter, and the amazing foods and smells signaled to my brain that playtime was over. It was back to work time. Don’t get me wrong, I love the lazy days of summer and the relaxation they bring with them, but for me, summer tends to be just that. Lazy.

Even now as an adult, years after my school days have ended, there’s something about the day after Labor Day that inspires me to get back to work. I refocus on my goals, renew my enthusiasm for smashing those goals, and my motivation springs back in full force. And sipping on a pumpkin spice latte while I work, of course, always brings added motivation.

Several years ago, I was finally able to articulate something I’ve probably realized unconsciously for a long time. I’m far more productive when I have some kind of schedule. The busier I am, somehow, magically, the more I accomplish. Which I think is part of why “back to school” time inspires me. Even if my schedule is the same, there’s something in the air as others go back to their routines that I can sense. The world is no longer in lazy summer mode. We’ve shifted back into our routines.

There’s also something about Labor Day marking the final segment of the year. All those New Year’s Resolutions we made to ourselves that we haven’t quite gotten to yet – there’s still time to accomplish them, but the clock is beginning to count down. If we want to check off some of those goals we made this year on New Year’s Eve, we’d better get to work. 

This year, especially, has been a tough one. COVID has changed our world in so many ways since March, and I, for one, have struggled to find a new routine in the haze of working from home and the constant stress of not knowing what’s coming next. For me, this Labor Day truly signified a transition as I’m starting back to working in the office today. Another change to adjust to, and it certainly isn’t going to look the same as it did before March, but I’m hopeful the somewhat familiar routine will kick me back into work mode.

And while many school-aged kids this year begin a school routine that is vastly different from one we’ve ever known before, it’s still “back to school” time. And, for us writers, I’m deeming this “back to writing” time as well. Let’s refocus on our writing goals and find ways to accomplish them this fall. Let’s find a way to work through this uncertainty and wake up on New Year’s Day 2021 ready to set new goals rather than recycling the ones we’d set this past January (and maybe even the one before that – no judgment here). 

How can we use this fresh season to kick start ourselves back into writing mode? I have a few ideas for you here.

1. Revisit your writing goals

Whether you’d previously written down your writing goals or carry them in your head, take some time to revisit those goals and evaluate the progress you’ve made so far. Then consider what you need to do in order to actually meet those goals.

You may find that you’ve actually made more progress than you thought. Or you might realize your goals are beyond your abilities to achieve by the end of the year at this point. That’s okay. If you need to revise your goals at this point, go right ahead. It’s more important to have active goals that are achievable than ones that are unattainable and set us up for failure. You’ll be far more motivated to work towards goals you can actually attain.

2. Revisit your daily writing schedule

If you’ve previously set up a writing schedule, now might be a time where it will require some updates. Is your schedule changing with the new season/back to school routine? Or is your old routine just not working for you anymore? Take some time to look at your new schedule and determine what writing schedule might suit you better these days.

Routines are great for creating progress. But when they stop serving us, it’s important to take a step back to reflect on why they aren’t working and what we could do differently. If a routine isn’t serving us, it needs to change.

3. Set up your writing space

If you’re writing from home, make sure your writing space is set to go. Whether that’s a separate office, a corner of your living room, or your kitchen table, make sure it’s clear of clutter and comfortable enough that you’ll be able to focus on your writing.

If you plan to write elsewhere, make sure you have everything ready to go that you’ll need to bring with you. Make sure your computer is fully charged and/or you have your charging cord with you, you have any notebooks you might need, etc.

In addition to getting your physical writing space set up, take some time to get your mental space ready as well. Clear out any guilt you might be carrying for not accomplishing as much over the summer as you’d hoped. Set aside any other worries or concerns weighing on you during your designated writing time. Focus on your writing, and only your writing, during your scheduled writing time. Remind yourself that you are a writer, and you’ll meet your goals if you put your mind to it.

4. Treat Yourself

It’s hard for me not to think of fall as the ultimate time to treat yourself. Between the pumpkin spice everything, the adorable fall décor at every store, and trick or treat time approaching, there’s a myriad of possible ways to reward yourself for a job well done.

Motivate yourself to recommit to your writing in this new season by rewarding yourself. Do this in the way that works best for you. You could give yourself a small daily reward, a reward at the end of the week for meeting your weekly goals, or go big and set a reward you treat yourself to when you meet your overall goals. Whatever works for you. You’ve earned it!

We have less than four months remaining until the end of the year, when we have to face our yearly goals with either a sense of accomplishment or despair. The good news is, there’s still time to get back on track if we’ve veered off course. So harness the energy of the season and get to work!