How To Not Lose Your Mind As A Work-From-Home Ghostwriter

As more and more people embrace the work-from-home lifestyle, many aspiring writers have turned to ghostwriting as a lucrative opportunity to showcase their writing talent.

However, while the comforts of working from home can be tempting, ghostwriters still need to navigate the challenges of staying productive, meeting strict deadlines, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Working from home as a ghostwriter can be both fulfilling and draining.

Writing is an incredibly solitary profession, and with nobody to bounce ideas off in person, it’s easy to lose your sanity. Stacks of notes, endless revisions, and impossible deadlines can leave you feeling stranded in a sea of words with no land in sight. We’re not about to tell you to create a vision board or to use a daily affirmation to keep yourself positive – but we do have some tips to help you keep your sanity.

1. Keep Your Desk Tidy:

One of the best ways to maintain your sanity when working from home as a ghostwriter is to keep your desk tidy.

Chaos can be visually overwhelming and disruptive to both your mental and creative processes. A clean workspace can help reduce stress and create a better environment for brainstorming and creativity. So spend a few minutes each day decluttering and tidying your desk – your mind will thank you for it!

2. Try Not To Eat Lunch At Your Desk:

It can be tempting to eat lunch at your desk, but it's important to give your mind a break from work.

Eating while you work leads to decreased productivity and can make you feel overworked and underappreciated. Instead, take a break, stretch your legs, and eat lunch somewhere other than your work area. This will give you a chance to recharge, clear your mind, and increase productivity.

3. Don't Get Involved In Office Drama:

Office politics and drama are typically unavoidable, but as a ghostwriter, you have an advantage in that you don’t have to deal with it.

It's important to remain professional and polite and to stay out of it altogether. Don’t choose a side or fight someone else’s war. Remember: you are there to write - anything beyond that can only lead to trouble.

4. Headphones Are Handy For Drowning Out The Noises You Hate:

Headphones can be a great way to stay focused and drown out distractions – especially the noises that are distracting and you don’t like (we all have them).

Music or instrumental tracks without lyrics can be great background noise for writing. They help keep your mind focused and keep unwanted distractions at bay. Just don’t make them so loud that you can hear the bass line from the room next door.

5. Stay Hydrated:

Drinking water is essential when you work from home, especially if you're sitting for long hours.

Staying hydrated will also prevent headaches and give you an excuse to take a break from your computer. Make sure you drink at least eight glasses of water every day.

6. Give yourself a break:

Working from home is hard, and you shouldn't be too hard on yourself.

Take some time to relax and enjoy the things that make you happy: read a book, take a walk in nature, watch a movie - anything that will keep your mind away from work for at least an hour each day.

Heck, do what I do and keep a little teeny-weeny bottle of tequila in a drawer. You never know when you'll fancy a little tumbler of that Mexican elixir.

The final word

Working from home can be both amazing and challenging.

It takes practice to learn how to maintain your focus, your sanity, and your ability to produce great work. So, by keeping your workspace clean, taking breaks, avoiding drama, remaining calm in stressful or tense situations, and utilizing headphones, you can keep yourself going, even when it seems impossible.

Remember, you’re a ghostwriter! You’ve got this.

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