The Balance of Navigating Writing and a Full-Time Job

For most writers, there is always the dream of being able to spend the day lounging around and writing stories that sell enough to pay the bills, but instead, they have to wake up at ungodly hours and have a long commute to a job that they may or may not like, before dragging themselves home and into bed before repeating it all the next day. 

But it's what keeps the lights on and food on the table. 

The better side of this is the writer who has full-time jobs as well as finding time to craft their stories. 

But how can you find the balance between the two?

Step One: Acknowledge the Struggle

This first step is one that is non-negotiable when it comes to finding the balance between writing and working full-time.

Depending on the type of job you work it might be nearly impossible to fit in the time to write between your job and your other daily life requirements such as taking care of yourself or others. -But did you catch the important word there?

 Nearly! How can it be nearly? (cue a Hermione Granger impression from those who might get the reference) 

Nearly impossible means that there is still a chance for it to be possible. 

Understanding this as a fact will give you the understanding going into the endeavor that it's going to be something that is going to take hard work and motivation… so don't give up when it doesn't work out right away.

Step Two: Stratagize! 

Now that you understand that it's going to take some drive and motivation to complete your task it's time to make a battle plan! 

Ask yourself:

• When are you going to write?
• Where are you going to write?
• What are you going to write with? Laptop? Notebook? Stone tablet?
• What nonessential things can you move around to make the time to write?

Set yourself up for success the best way you can be thinking about your goals and making a plan for how you are going to make them a reality. 

A solid plan will give you something to work with instead of just daydreaming about it.

Step Three: Be Flexible 

Life is full of hurdles and flying debris that sometimes just seems to pop out of nowhere. 

When this happens, keep calm, don't quit (either writing or your job), and go back to the previous steps.  

With changing work schedules, gaining more or different responsibilities at work or home - these are all things you can work through and adapt to find a way to meet your goals.

Step Four: Lean On Others 

You are not the first writer to think of building their writing career while in the safety of a paying job and you will not be the last.

Online communities as well as writing groups in your area are full of writers who are either going through the same struggle that you are or they have already been through it and come out the other side. 

Find these people and learn from them, lean on them through the hard times, and celebrate with them during the good. 

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Finding the balance between building a writing career and juggling the responsibilities of life with the added weight of a full-time job will not be an easy walk in the park. 

But it will be worth every mountain you climb. 

Best of luck. 

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints most days at 10:30 pm EST

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