7 Ways to Refuel Your Writing Passion

Remember that #GoldenMoment when you discovered that your writing passion was also your purpose? Then you discovered that you could make a living doing it! Making money doing something that you enjoy. That’s the life, right? Yes!

Then, something happens.

That raging, spreading flame of passion begins to die down. Those big, bright, smiling eyes are now circled with bags. Your once eager attitude has been replaced with a dull, robotic automated response system.

It’s not fun anymore.

And, you’re wondering…what now? Or, have you accepted that it’s just the way that love goes? Hopefully not. Because if writing is your passion. If once upon a time, your fingers and toes danced at the thought of writing. If writing didn’t even seem like work. If life seemed like it was too freaking sweet and juicy to not be a dream. If you’re sick and freaking tired of just “lying there” and faking it and you’re ready to jump back on top of your purpose, then this article was written both by you and for you.

#1: Take a break.

Stop writing. Don’t answer any calls. Setup an automated away-message for the emails. Abandon the associated social media accounts. Leave it all be. Focus your energies on something else:

Take on a meditation challenge
Complete a two-week fruitarian diet
Adopt a completely new hobby
If you can, splurge on a vacay.

Whatever the “Cut!” may be, be serious about it; the goal is to be refreshed before it’s time for “Action!”

#2. Participate in a class, workshop, seminar.

Here, you’ll learn a new skill or two. You’ll mingle with other like-minded writers. You’ll chat it up (or is it “chop it up?) with those aspiring to get where you are and those who’ve been doing it far longer than you have. The atmosphere may just be the juice that you’d been needing to refuel your writing passion.

#3. Confide in a qualified confidante.

Sometimes you just need to vent. You need to get it all of your chest. Quit trying to be superwoman. Even she (and her fictional self) had a confidante. It’s okay. It neither means you’re weak nor surrendering.

Notice that the keyword here is “qualified.” Don’t just go yapping away to anyone. Not everyone believed in you from jump. Not everyone will understand. Not everyone, though they may have the best of intentions, will know what to say in return.

This is where your mentor comes in handy. Or, this may be a good time to hire a life coach or counselor. If you don’t have one already, make sure that the one you choose is best suited for you and your lifestyle. Mine had to be a woman, and one that could identify with the challenges of being a wife, mother, and entrepreneur.

#4. Write.

For the fun of it. With no intentions. Journal about what happened. When and how did your writing passion begin? What did you once love about writing? How did it feel? What happened along the way? When did the fire begin to dwindle? What are the sources of stress? List everything, not just the work-related stuff.

The problem could very well be that you’re just tired. You’ve been doing the laundry, dishes, cooking, homework-help, helping to take care of your parents, assisting in organizing the book clubs, running the kids here and there, and running a business. You’re burned out.

Perhaps, better time management, including delegating some of these tasks, could remedy the problem. Or, maybe better budgeting will do the trick. You may discover that all you need is a break. Then again, what you may need to do is…

#5. Revamp.

Break your business all the down into laymen terms, almost as if you were passing along this information to your child. How does your company operate? Who does this and who does that? How often is this done and how do you do it? How are you paid? Here’s the big question: Are you charging what you deserve to be paid?

Let’s say that you quit charging by the hour and created packages that your customers could choose from. Would this help?
Would hiring an assistant make your life easier? Yeah, it’ll take some time to train her. Yeah, you won’t be in control 100% anymore. However, the peace of mind that you’ll get in return is priceless!
Get better organized better. Clean up your work space. File away that paperwork. Get your calendar in order. Figure out which email address you’re going to use for which purposes. Use these four tools in order to quit making social media harder than it gotta be.
Update your equipment/software. How old is it anyway? If you use everyday, then I promise you it’s worth the investment. How slow is your computer (or your sewing machine? your phone?) How many times a day do you “cuss” it out? Are any upgrades available? What if you switched over to a completely different software or brand? Buy better stuff and give your nerves a break.

#6. Glitter your work space.

This is where the fun comes in at. Whether you work out of an office space that you rent out, a room in your house, or even a corner of a room in your house, you can still glitter it.

Whatever you do, just make sure that your budget permits it. Buy a new desk, repaint the walls, or grab some new pens or a comfy chair. Hammer some shelves into the wall and display items that will motivate you, calm you, and/or give you a reason to smile. Note: if you’re a mom, this reason to smile does not solely have to be your family. It’s okay to post some selfies and/or others that you admire. Make it fun!

#7. Reread your testimonials/reviews.

This never lets me down. I’ll collect that note that my former co-worker wrote me, expressing how I inspired her to pursue her dreams. Then, I’ll get that anniversary card that my husband bought for me, sharing how much he loves me and how proud of me that he is. I’ll reread the very first review of my book along with the very first one that I got from someone that I didn’t know. There’s more, but I’ll probably either bore you to death or “aaw” you to tears. It doesn’t have to mean anything to anyone else, but if it makes the smile on your face reflect the smile that you carry inside, then it’s worth it.