Spring is definitely in the air (unless you live in the southern hemisphere or in a part of the world where it snowed this past weekend…but most of us have seen signs of spring).
While fall will always be my favorite season, spring is another season that makes writing seem a little more magical to me.
If winter dragged you down, here are five things you can do this week to get cleaned up and refreshed.
Clean Your Desk
If you have a dedicated writing desk, make sure that only things having to do with your writing are there.
If you’re like most people, the desk you write at is probably where you also take care of bills and other things. Tuck away those other things; clear your in box so when you sit down to write, all you focus on is writing.
Keeping a clean desk top–for most people–creates an inviting space where they’re more likely to sit down and produce.
Clean Out Files
Fairly recently, I not only reorganized my office, but I also took time to clear out files.
The deeper I dug, the more duplicate notes for stories in progress I found. I was able to clear out a filing drawer in my desk and a two-drawer filing cabinet I shared with my wife. Now everything is right at my side.
It can seem daunting, but cleaning and organizing physical and computer files so you know where everything is–and that no confusing duplicate documents exist–is a great feeling. It also leads to a clean desk top because now you actually know where things need to be filed and where they are when you need them.
Clean House
It’s easy to come home from work exhausted and not want to take care of your surroundings. Eventually, things pile up and when it comes time to write, maybe you think about all the other things you need to do.
Take a day (or two) and really put an effort into spring cleaning.
Sure, on the days you clean you may not get any writing done, but it’s much easier sitting down to write when you know everything is clean and where it belongs.
Change Something
It’s amazing how a little change can improve productivity.
When I finally dragged away an old filing cabinet and some unused equipment to be recycled, even though I only gained a little bit of room in the office, it seemed like I had enough room to bring in extra furniture.
Sometimes moving your desk from one wall to another, or getting rid of something that’s been around for a long time that you no longer use, gives you a sense of space…and freedom.
Open the Windows or Get Outside
A stale pall settles in over winter for most people, leaving them with a case of the blahs.
When the weather turns warmer, even if it’s still a little cool outside, opening the windows can be cleansing. The fresh smell and breeze coming in is a reminder that warmer days are coming.
If opening the windows isn’t enough, put on your sneakers and go for a walk. Unless you’re into winter sports, it’s probably been awhile since you got outside and appreciated the weather.
A walk when the weather warms up is rejuvenating, and when you’re done you’ll come back to a house or apartment that smells fresh from having the windows open earlier in the day.
What About You?
What things do you do that refresh your mind and make writing feel new again when you need a recharge?
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Newsletter
In totally unrelated news, I have a newsletter now.
At least monthly, I plan to send extra writing tips and let readers know what I’m up to since some people have asked, but I don’t go into great detail on The Juggling Writer unless it pertains directly to an entry.
You can sign up on The Juggling Writer here, or go directly to the sign up page here.
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