Loft Writing Minute: Finding Your Writing Flow
Watch me get ready to write. Energy drink? Check. Cozy sweater? Check. My writing playlist in my earbuds? Check. Snack within arm’s reach? Check. Laptop open? Check. Blanket tucked in? Check. Game of Thrones playing in the background? Absolutely.
I’m only partially kidding about this extensive checklist needed to maximize my writing productivity. We writers spend so much time talking about how to write that we sometimes forget it is just as important to converse about how to get ourselves into a state where we can write. After all, one of the biggest problems for writers is writer’s block, or a state where you can’t write. It can be just as hard finding the right words as it is to transition from your busy, distracted everyday life to the mental space where ideas have room to emerge.
Getting Into the Flow
Psychologists often describe “flow” as the state where you’re so absorbed in an activity that time seemingly disappears; writers know this feeling well. One minute you’re staring at a blank page, convincing yourself that nothing is coming. The next? You’ve written three pages and completely forgotten to check your phone.
Unfortunately, flow doesn’t usually just happen the moment you open a document. Like me, many writers develop rituals: making a cup of tea, putting on an instrumental playlist, clearing off the desk, lighting a candle, taking a short walk. These routines aren’t magical, but they do send a signal to the brain, saying it’s time to write now! The matters of the ritual are less important than consistency, because you can train your mind to recognize these habits, assembling a bridge between ordinary life and creative work.
Inside Out
Of course, even after you’ve settled into the perfect writing environment, there’s another barrier to entry, which is the expectation that what you write has to be good. One of my favorite scenes about writing comes from the 2018 Netflix rom-com Set It Up. Harper, the main character, is completely stuck, convinced that whatever she writes won’t be good enough. Her friend Becca finally interrupts the spiral with a simple piece of advice: “Of course your first draft is gonna be bad… Stop feeling sorry for yourself and just write something bad.”
It’s funny because it’s true; you can’t revise a blank page, and you can’t improve words that don’t exist. Every novel, poem and essay likely began as something messy and awkward. The first draft isn't supposed to be impressive, that’s why it is a first draft.
Sometimes lowering the barrier is enough. Instead of committing to two hours, commit to five minutes, five minutes to find your flow. Rather than attempting to write the most perfect opening sentence, give yourself the space to write poorly just to get the words on the page. Momentum has a funny way of creating motivation.
Outside In
While mindset is internal, our surroundings can make that mental shift much easier. A dedicated writing space removes tedious decisions since you’re no longer wondering where to sit, whether you should fold the laundry first or if the television is too distracting. Just as your brain learns to associate a favorite playlist or morning cup of coffee with writing, it can begin to associate a particular place with creative work. Eventually, walking into that space becomes part of the transition. That’s one reason so many writers choose to write in libraries, coffee shops or studios, because you’re physically carrying yourself away from distractions to focus on working. Changing your environment is really about changing your mindset.
A Space Designed for Writing
At the Loft, we believe writers deserve a space that helps them make that transition into creative work. Our Writers’ Studios offer quiet, dedicated rooms designed with creativity in mind. If you’re working on a novel, revising poems or trying to build a consistent writing practice, having a regular place to write can make all the difference. If you’re ready to create a home for your writing, learn more about renting a Loft Writers’ Studio. Your next great writing session might begin with walking into the right room.