Writing In A Pandemic

Are You Emily Dickinson or Anne Frank?

For a creative introvert, time at home could be a great opportunity to get more of your projects done. However, if you’re writing in a pandemic, your time at home may not be as freeing as you’d hoped. Your productivity is completely dependent on who lives with YOU.

If you live alone or have minimal housemates, you’ve earned all the free time you could ask for and you’re becoming as prolific as Emily Dickinson.

However, if you live in a full house where everyone else is spending as much time home as you are, then you’re as crowded as Ann Frank and can’t find a moment alone.

I’ve found that people are having polar opposite affects by staying home. Depending on a handful of factors, you could be fulfilling your creative cravings, or you have at least one major distraction that is constantly taking up the head space and time you so desperately crave.

Factors for Sanity: roommates, space, and responsibilities

You are Anne Frank if you…

• Live with a group in small quarters
• Live with small children
• Share a room
• School children at home
• ONLY have a job or ONLY go to school (not both)

You are Emily Dickenson if…

• You live alone
• You share a large home, but have ample space for alone time
• Have your own room
• You are single
• Have free time to be bored

If you’re Dickenson, then your time is your own. If you’re Anne Frank, you are grateful for solitary bathroom breaks.

The less personal space you have, the more hair and sleep you are probably losing from stress since you have no time for writing in a pandemic like this.

However, if you are lucky enough to have time alone, then you probably see no reason to go back to normal.

If you’re a creative with no time for your creative outlet, this stay-at-home situation is driving you crazy and you need ways to help you write more often.

So, how do we survive? Mentally?

For myself, I know that I need my creative outlets, particularly writing, in order to feel sane. It isn’t just a hobby for me. Writing has become as essential to my mental health as yoga has become essential to my physical well-being.

I wake up at least 30 minutes to an hour earlier than everyone else in the morning to write. That quiet time to write is all I need to keep myself sane.

Finding time for yourself is easier said than done, but I’ve written a blog that gives some ideas on finding pockets of time for yourself: 

Easy Hacks to Write More

I’ve also recommended other helpful resources for finding time to write, who are some of my favorite bloggers/websites, right now.

For the Love of Writing

Times are not easy now. Change is rarely easy, whether it’s permanent or temporary. It disrupts our routines and our regular activities usually suffer for it. Or, not (if you’re lucky).

Don’t give up on your writing or give up hope, though. Writers write because we must; it’s an escape for our brains, a way to vent.

Ask Amelia

But, remember that you are not alone. We’re all riding the same wave, whether it be in boats, a raft, or even a canoe. Just remember, if you ever fall overboard, call for a helping hand – I’m happy to send you a life jacket.

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