If you’ve done a retreat or workshop with me, you’ll know that the first three tools I introduce are almost always: transitioning into writing time with Daily Pages; maintaining commitment and focus by using a timer; and transitioning out of writing time by making notes to your future self.
Here I want to say more about the things you can do to transition into writing time as a separate space from the rest of your life. When you choose a few to make a habit of, you will have established a writing ritual.
Ritual is a word that evokes sacred ceremony, and that might be a useful connotation for you, helping you think of writing time as a precious space to be protected. Or, the idea of sacredness may do nothing for you — you just want to get the damn paper written and off your desk! If this is you, think of ritual as: actions you take to clue your brain into the fact that it’s time for it to shift its attention and begin working in a particular way.
Here are some suggestions for actions to incorporate into a writing ritual. Choose a couple to try, ones that seem most useful and possible to you!
Disconnect
The one action I think is essential for just about everyone is TURN OFF YOUR EMAIL AND PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY. You want no notifications, no dings, no banners, no possibility of trying to pull that lever and see what pellet might show up, no excuse for leaving the writing so you can pick up someone else’s absolutely urgent administrative quandary. Find the settings you need to tweak, choose the drawer where your silenced phone can live for an hour, and cut yourself off. It may be hard at first, but you’ll get used to it.
Clear your desk
Take the time to move the things you don’t need off your desk. Especially the things that remind you of your other commitments and responsibilities! Put them on a designated shelf or just on the floor. The point is to get them out of your field of vision; out of sight makes out of mind possible.
Move to a different space
If you have the option, move to a different space altogether. This can be as simple as moving from your desk to the dining table. Or, if your desk IS the dining table, then moving to opposite side of it. If you have more options, then you might keep a small table in your house or office that’s just for writing. Physically moving to a different space for writing-time signals to your body that it’s not time now for bill-paying or doomscrolling or online shopping cart-filling or meeting-scheduling; those things are not done here.
Light a candle
Fire regulations permitting, this is a lovely one. Splurge on a candle you use only for writing time. When it’s lit, it’s time to write (and not for other things). When you blow it out, writing time is over.
Put a special object on your desk
A plant, a flower, a pretty rock, a certain image, an inspirational book, a plastic toy. Something you like to look at; something that makes you feel good. You can keep it near your desk and then simply move it there at the start of writing time and remove it when writing time is over.
Get out your writing mug
I love my writing mug. I started using different mugs for different activities during lockdown, as an antidote to the Groundhog Dayness of it all. I have one mug I bought specifically for writing; it’s a memento mori mug, to remind me how precious time is and to help me keep things in perspective. No one else in my household is allowed to use it, and I only use it during writing time. Before I sit down to do my daily pages, I make a cup of tea and bring the mug to my writing desk. Someone I work with who does this tells me that all he has to do is make himself a drink in his writing mug and he just automatically sits down and starts writing.
Put on a certain hat or scarf
Keep a hat or a scarf by your desk or in your office (or in your backpack, if your office is a cafe, library, park). It’s just like the mug — you only wear it for writing. There are other versions of this: a certain lipstick, necklace, bracelet. The point is that it’s easy to put on and take off. It helps if you love it and enjoy wearing it!
I’m sure you can think of some more possibilities. The fundamental purpose of all of these is to make writing time bounded, with a clear beginning and end, and to incorporate objects that please your senses, so that there are physical things to look forward to about writing time. Experiment!