Maintaining a satisfying writing practice requires focus, energy, and consistency—qualities that chronic illness often disrupts. But, with the right strategies and perspectives, it’s possible to honor your impulse to write while tending to your body’s needs.
I can speak to this from personal experience because I live with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), so I’m no stranger to the potential tough days that hover on the periphery of my life, my writing practice, and my business every single day, like a bully waiting to have a go at my weak spots.
While I can’t say that I’ve found a magic solution—at least not yet—here are some strategies and perspectives to help you navigate the unpredictable nature of chronic illness while still honoring your writing practice.
1. Redefine Productivity
Having a chronic illness will force you to adjust your expectations—about your own abilities, about other people’s expectations of you, and about what “productive” looks like for you. Writing every day for hours—or every day, period—may not be realistic, and that’s okay. Instead, focus on what you can do. Whether it’s writing for 5-15 minutes each day, writing for a couple of hours one day each week, or simply jotting down ideas when they come to you, every effort counts. Remember, progress doesn’t have to be linear.
2. Create a Flexible Routine
Rigid schedules often don’t work well when dealing with the symptoms or flare-ups of chronic illness. Instead, build a flexible routine. Leave more open space in your calendar to allow for those “surprises.” Slow down the pace of your life, in general. Identify the times of day when you feel most energetic and aim to write during those windows. On tougher days, give yourself permission to shift to less demanding creative tasks, like brainstorming, researching, or reading for inspiration. And rest. Sometimes it’s best to simply rest.
3. Set Tiny, Achievable Goals
When you’re managing limited energy and avoiding triggers, big goals can feel overwhelming. And not meeting them can be demoralizing. Best approach: Put that big goal on your calendar, way out into the future. Then, break it down into small, manageable steps, and put those on your calendar, too. For example, set smaller breadcrumb goals, like 100 words, one scene or outline, or one dialogue exchange. Reaching and acknowledging those smaller goals that rest within the larger ones will send dopamine cascading through your lovely brain, which will provide you the motivation to keep going.
4. Manage Your Environment
For people with chronic illness, environmental triggers like certain foods, fragrances, or temperature changes can impact health and energy levels. Create a writing space that minimizes these risks. If you need to, get an air purifier, use hypoallergenic materials, and a stash of safe, healthy, non-reactive snacks and drinks to keep your energy up while writing. Do this, at the very least, in your writing space, and preferably throughout your entire home. If you live with other people, ask for what you need from them.
5. Use Tools and Technology
Assistive tools can make writing more accessible. If you’re having a low day but feel you have the energy and wherewithal to accomplish small tasks, speak your thoughts and words instead of typing or writing by hand. Writing apps like Scrivener or Evernote can help you organize ideas efficiently, or use the Voice Memos on your phone to get random thoughts and ideas about a scene, chapter, or character in one place so you can refer to them later. If brain fog is a challenge, try using templates or prompts to find your way in. Writing can look many ways.
6. Embrace the Power of Rest
Rest isn’t just a break from writing; it’s an important and essential part of the creative process. (That’s why I offer the Do Nothing Challenge!) Pushing through exhaustion often leads to burnout or worsening symptoms. Instead, listen to your body and give it the care it needs. Resting mindfully, daydreaming, soaking in an epsom salts bath, or applying ice packs can get you through rough spots to rejuvenate your energy and spark new ideas. Resting is an aspect of your writing life.
7. Build a Support System
If you don’t know other writers who understand the challenges of chronic illness (and bonus if you do!), look for groups that specialize in connecting people with chronic illness for encouragement and empathy. Sharing your experiences with others can make life feel a lot less isolating and lonely. You might be surprised how many writers you can find who also live with chronic illness—both are highly sensitive.
8. Work with Your Medical Team
If you’re managing a chronic illness and you have a solid medical team, they can be a big help by offering guidance on managing energy levels, avoiding flares, and maintaining concentration. Sometimes, adjustments to treatment plans can improve your ability to focus on creative work. Interestingly, a fair amount of doctors write fiction on the side, so if you have one or can find one, they’ll understand why your writing matters to you.
9. Practice Self-Compassion
It’s easy to feel frustrated when illness interrupts your writing, and during those times when you’re struggling to find you way back, guilt can set in. Remember that you’re doing the best you can under challenging circumstances. Be kind to yourself, and acknowledge the resilience it takes to keep creating despite the hurdles. Honoring your impulse to write is an act of self-love. So is showing yourself compassion and grace.
10. Celebrate Every Accomplishment
No matter how small, every word written is a reason to celebrate. Whether it’s finishing a paragraph, re-reading what you wrote last, or simply making a note about where you’ll pick up when you’re feeling better, tracking your efforts will keep you involved. Maintain a notebook or digital file to log your accomplishments, or as mentioned in #3 above, schedule them on a calendar. Then, treat yourself to something nice and/or fun, depending on the accomplishment and your budget, of course. You’ll get a double hit of dopamine—from finishing the task, followed by the enjoyment of your reward. Over time, these wins will remind you of your strength and progress, and each one will propel you on to the next.
Final Thoughts
Living with a chronic illness doesn’t mean you have to give up on your writing dreams. It means finding new ways to approach them, and being kind to yourself in the process. By adapting your practice to fit your health and working within your unique limitations, you can keep your creative spirit alive and thriving. Remember, your unique perspective as someone who navigates these challenges brings depth and authenticity to your writing. And that’s what the world needs.
Keep writing, even if it’s one word at a time. Because as Margaret Atwood once said, “A word after a word after a word is power.”
You are a writer, no matter the pace.
Sending you mad writing mojo…
Happy writing!
