Self-Care Tips For Writers

For a lot of writers, writing is a form of self-care unto itself. Ditching the everyday hustle and the mundane idiosyncrasies of reality in favor of swoon-worthy romances, adventure, and intrigue, being able to explore a new place of our own making and become anyone we want with a swipe of the pen—who doesn't love that?

But even though writing is an escape, it can still become stressful.

A lot of writers sneak their writing into the nooks and crannies of their day, balancing it with obligations like jobs and childcare. And in the shuffle, they might forget to take care of themselves.

Here's the thing: writing when you're burned out is a struggle. Believe me, I know. These past couple of years, especially, I've truly understood the importance of taking care of myself, even if it's only in little ways, and how neglecting self-care impacts my writing as a whole.

Since this is going to be the last post going live during the half-hiatus I've taken this summer and I'll be resuming my normal upload schedule next week, it's the perfect time to share some self-care tips for writers and little things I do to make sure I'm taking care of myself.

Masking Up During Writing Sprints

When we think about self-care, we often think of skincare. Sephora or Ulta hauls and routines with a half-dozen or more steps.

Firstly, know that skin care doesn't have to be complicated. I'm not a dermatologist, so take this with a grain of salt, but I've noticed my sensitive skin has gotten clearer since I've started using fewer products and doing research when choosing them. Simplifying my skincare has made a world of difference (though I'll occasionally indulge in a longer process, it's less often).

Second, skincare can easily be incorporated into a writing session.

Clay masks and sheet masks, for instance, are intended to be left on for a length of time, so why not use that to your advantage and write while they do their thing?

If you've got a multi-step skincare regimen, you could try a variation on the Pomodoro Method, where during the breaks between writing sprints you apply the next product.

This isn't just limited to face masks, as you could also try this with masks for your hair or feet.

Some of these masks are recommended for 5-10 minutes of wear before discarding them or rinsing them off, whereas others like the foot peel I use are meant for longer stints. Just be sure to read the directions to avoid irritation (been there, done that, don't recommend).

It's a quick and easy way to designate a time for writing while treating yourself.

Blue-Light Lenses

In this day and age, we spend a lot of time staring at screens. Chances are, it's part of your job, but it's also part of how we chill out whether that's through binge-watching, gaming, doom-scrolling, or reading on a device like a Kindle.

And, of course, writing also involves a lot of staring at screens.

It's incredibly difficult to avoid screens in our everyday lives, which is why blue-light-blocking glasses are on the rise. These lenses are coated in a film that helps filter the blue light that screens emit, reducing the strain and fatigue on your eyes.

As a glasses wearer, I've made sure to get the film as part of my prescription lenses. It costs a pretty penny, but it's worth it.

As a side note, I recommend picking up a matte screen protector for your eReader. Mine has been such a game-changer!

Even with the blue-light lenses, it's still important to step back from your screen and give your eyes a chance to rest, which brings me to my next point...

Stand Up And Get Out

Writers are known to be sedentary creatures, hunched over their computers like little shrimps as they work. But as hard as it can be to get your butt in that chair, sitting for too long has its problems.

Be sure you're standing up every so often. It doesn't have to be for long, but it's important for your long-term health. Get up. Go for a walk. Do some yoga. Have a dance break. Whatever gets you moving.

These breaks don't mean you have to disconnect from your writing entirely. You could listen to a playlist inspired by your WIP or an audiobook on your walk around the neighborhood or go out for coffee and a snack and order what your protagonist would get.

Taking breaks isn't just for your health, though! It's also a good way to refill your creative well and get those gears turning so you can come back to your project with fresh eyes.

If you're so inclined, you might even invest in a standing desk or one of those mini treadmills to use while you write.

Tending To Your Space

Self-care as a writer isn't always about physical needs. Your writing space can impact your writing more than you may expect.

No matter if you've got an entire room allocated for your writing, are hunkering down on the living sofa, or are even writing on the go, finding ways to make it work can make a huge difference.

Keeping your writing nook organized can help you stay more focused and feel more at peace; some writers incorporate tidying up in their day-to-day writing process, whether it's to set the mood for that session or signify it drawing to a close.

Creating a sense of coziness in my writing nook helps my brain shift gears from"life mode" to "writing mode." It didn't happen overnight, but small adjustments like exploring aromatherapy and finding a comfortable chair have gone a long way.

Remember, it's not about where you write, but how you make the space work for you!

Create A Kind Words File

Writing is all about words. But between feedback from CPs and beta readers, rejection letters, unfavorable reviews, and the hellscape that social media can be, some of the words you'll hear about your writing will be unkind.

It's not fun, but it's normal. And there are ways to keep it from getting to you.

One solution: the Kind Words file.

It's exactly what it sounds like. A collection of nice things people have said about your writing. That way, you have plenty of encouraging reminders to look back on when impostor syndrome rears its ugly head again or the internet trolls crawl out from their proverbial bridge, to remind you that you are doing the darn thing, you have valuable strengths as a writer, and aren't a completely blubbering failure of a monkey pounding their fists against a keyboard.

If there's a compliment that made you smile, put it in the Kind Words file.

Having these reminders on hand can help dull the sting of unkind words and be the reassuring boost you need on the harder days.

Life Outside Of Writing

Writing is the thing I'd say I'm most passionate about. However, it's not my only thing.

When I first started writing, it was my everything. I was absorbed in it, rarely coming up for air.

The problem? I eventually got burned out. And when that happened, I didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't feel like I had an identity apart from being a writer and that took such a massive toll on my mental health.

Pour your heart and soul into your writing, but remember that you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Seek out hobbies or skills outside of your writing. It can be anything that sparks your interest. Whatever brings you joy. You don't have to be good at it—heck, it's probably better if you're not striving for perfection—as long as it offers a break from your writing and gives you a chance to try something different.

Who knows? You might even find inspiration for a story along the way!

Allow For Rest Days

Giving myself permission to rest is something I've struggled with. After all, we as a society have more or less decided that your productivity is based solely on how much you're producing. We're often driven by a fear of losing momentum or not doing enough—and doing nothing? Forget it! There has to be a purpose to it! Something needs to be gained from it or come out of it.

Like I mentioned at the top of this post, this is set to go live towards the end of what I've called a half-hiatus, something I've taken for a few summers now. And this year, I wasn't as resistant towards the idea.

In fact, I (after some deliberation) welcomed it! And I know late-teens and early-twenties Avril would be utterly gobsmacked by that notion.

My first blogging hiatus was the result of being creatively drained in 2021, as I think a lot of us were. I disappeared entirely, not even writing during that time and just trying to regroup.

Fast-forward to last year, 2024. I'd started at a new job and was unsure how seasonal hours were going to affect my writing time so the idea of stepping back came up again. I compromised with myself, shifting to a biweekly schedule for those months, and was low-key stunned by how balanced everything felt and how burned-out I wasn't. Coming back to the blog this time around has been infinitely easier, too.

This year, I was in a better place overall and actually hadn't considered taking a hiatus until the end of May because I didn't feel like it was necessary. Even though 2025's hiatus was only two months and not the whole summer, it allowed me a chance to slow down and refocus that I needed more than I knew.

Whether these hiatuses are a permanent thing going forward is yet to be seen, but they do have their benefits.

TLDR; take those rest days! And don't feel guilty about doing so!

One of the pieces of writing advice you're bound to hear as a writer is that you need to write every day. Without fail. Without question. No excuses.

That's something I clung to early on, and it was ultimately to my detriment.

Your worth as a writer is not determined solely by your daily word count or how many books you've published. And even if it were, that constant output isn't sustainable without rest.

Be committed to your writing, but don't be consumed by it.

A rest day is not a wasted day. It's a chance to check in with yourself, shift gears, and come back with a sharpened focus and renewed energy.

You might be the type who schedules rest days, or you might be the type who accepts them as they become needed. Either way, just be sure to do so before you're too burned out.

But what should you do on these rest days?

Well, to borrow from Until Dawn, sometimes doing nothing is the right thing to do. In simpler terms, the best thing to do on a rest day is rest. That's going to look different for everybody. In my case, it's gaming and maybe a nap. For you, it could be gardening, checking out thrift stores and the farmer's market, doing a DIY project, or anything else that brings you a sense of calm or lets you take that much-needed step back from your writing.

How do you practice self-care as a writer? Share your best tips in the comments!