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When Is It Okay To Step Away From Your Work?

That blinking cursor taunts me.

Having a work in progress can be very draining. As much fun as it is to work on it, sometimes I just want it done. My current work in progress is a memoir about worship; how important it is and how I struggle with it.

I’m putting a lot of myself into it, filling it with as many personal stories as I can remember and throwing in as much passion as I can muster. Digging into my past and pouring my heart and soul onto the page takes a lot out of me.

Which is why I find myself muttering unchristian things to that blinking cursor.

Some days I find I simply don’t have anymore to give. I’ve dug as deep as I possibly can and I feel empty and dry. And when you write about something that is a great struggle for you, the writing does not get any easier as you go.

Sometimes you need to push through the writer’s block and keep writing. Beautiful things can emerge from that.

And sometimes you just run yourself in circles.

I’m learning when it’s time to step away from the work in progress and let it marinate for a while. It’s hard to do, because I want to push through and finish the darn thing. But if it begins consuming me, it’s not going to get done, or at least not done well.

Sometimes I can step away long enough for a walk around the block. That twenty to thirty minutes can be enough to clear my head and return to the work refreshed.

Other times, when I’m really getting frustrated, I need to take a couple of days. Just close the laptop, walk away, and resume life as normal. Do some laundry, cook a good dinner, laugh with my husband. And stop thinking about it. If I stop letting it consume all my thoughts, it’s easier to come back to it feeling energized.

Being done with this work will be a great sense of relief, but I don’t want to rush through it only giving the puny energy I have left. I want to be able to devote the best of my time and thoughts to it, even if that means walking away from time to time.

Question: Have you ever hit a big wall in your writing that caused you to step away for a bit? What things do you do during your break to refresh yourself? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

* Image credit: Corrie… (Creative Commons)

Comments

  1. says

    I hit walls all the time.  I step away and do something else.  For some reason, when I do this, my mind shifts to neutral and I find some way to go over, around or through that wall.

  2. Bobbie Cole says

    I find it a waste of time to press on into tiredness, Jamie. If I do that, the work is never any good. I remind myself that if God wants this out there he’ll allow me to get it done in His good time.

  3. says

    I find that some of my best writing comes after I step away from a project for a long time, sometimes even weeks to months. When I come back fresh, my editing is more refined and my thoughts are ordered.

    PS: I like everything in this article accept the idea of doing some laundry. Ugh!  😉

    • says

      I actually decided after writing this to take a break from my work, for at least a month or so. I’m hoping to come back with a fresh perspective.

      I agree, laundry sucks. But sometimes going through the motions of those chores is a good break from pouring my heart and soul on the page. Sometimes I need physical activity to break from the mental activity.

  5. says

    I have seen some beautiful writing come out the times I really did not want to write. But about a year ago I was working on an extended writing project on Abraham and one week I just mentally broke – I couldn’t touch the thing for about 9-10 days. During that time I read things having absolutely nothing to do with Abraham – about 3 books. After that I felt recharged, like I knew what I wanted to say. 

  6. says

    Great insights Jamie. Lately, I’ve been rushing to complete a couple of things and it’s worn me out mentally. Taking some time to refresh.
    Needed to read this reminder today. Thanks Jamie

  7. says

    I like to go to the gym and either participate in a class or get on the treadmill. I find that as I’m doing something physical with my body, it gives my mind, soul, and emotions space to work things out. Not always, but often!