Get Up. Walk Around. Then Get Back to It.

I’m in the thick of my Monday / Wednesday / Friday writing schedule (I teach on Tuesday / Thursday and stay on campus all day.) The writing schedule looks like this:

8:30 AM-9:30 AM: At my computer to write. Coffee or nice beverage nearby. Cat sleeping close. 9:30-9:45 AM: Break for folding laundry, emptying dishwasher, and walking around the block. Maybe a snack. 9:45-10:45: Write. Drink water. 10:45-11:00: Break to walk. Fix lunch if I’m hungry. Fold more laundry or any other chore on the list. 11:00-11:30: Answer emails or any phone calls. 11:30-12:30: Write. 12:30-12:45: Get up and walk around.

You get the idea. The point is to work for about an hour and then get up and do something for 15 minutes or so to stretch and move your body.

Normally, around 1:00 PM, I’ll pause to reflect and write a blog (like I’m doing right now!). By 1:30, I’ll have been working 5 hours, so I’ll sometimes take an hour walk or switch to grading papers or preparing lesson plans. I normally never write for more than 4-5 hours a day.

I find that scheduling writing helps keep me focused. And scheduling those walking breaks helps keep me healthy. So for all of you writers who have been sitting too long, now is your cue to get up, walk around, and then get back to it!

 

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