I recently shared a thread on Instagram about five things I have learned during my journey of being a writer (or creative) while having a 9-5 job, and I wanted to take the time to share with the Thoughts On Life community because I received so many messages about the importance of this topic. For many of us balancing both worlds, it can be very hard at times to push forward with our creative dreams. The amount of time, energy, and effort that it requires is a lot.
I want to always be transparent about the ups and downs of pursuing a dream I have never seen anyone else in my family do. And this is the truth for many of us.
We are walking paths that others in our family have never been on, so there is no clear path forward or cheat code—each step and win we experience is a testimony of our dedication, patience, and love towards that goal. On the days we feel doubt and discouragement, we must remind ourselves that we are doing this for the first time.
In one such instance, during my first in-person workout, I was dealing with a lot of imposter syndrome and kept telling myself that no one would show up. Despite my nerves, I went around with my friend Raelina, passing out posters and leaving cards to spread the word. When I got to the venue, I set everything up with intention and love, trying to remind myself that no matter the outcome, I still did something very courageous and admirable, and so, I should feel proud. Nevertheless, I had 7 participants show up, and it was beyond amazing. This experience taught me that even in moments of doubt, showing up with authenticity and courage can lead to beautiful outcomes — after that I knew I wanted to continue to host workshops more often.
Here are the five things I have learned:
Balancing my passion for writing with my responsibilities is crucial, especially when navigating this journey alone. What has worked for me is understanding the importance of not overcommitting. With a 9-5 job and a creative pursuit, good time management is key. Setting aside dedicated hours during the week and weekend for my projects helps me stay accountable while also prioritizing rest to prevent discouragement.
Dealing with creative burnout, or "creative stillness," is common and can lead to feelings of wanting to give up or doubting one's abilities. After a significant period of creative stillness, I realized that a creative mind needs to live fully. When words aren't flowing, it's important to reengage with the world-go for walks, visit friends and family, book a trip, or start a new hobby. Honor the silence as a call to experience life beyond the creative process.
Do not underestimate the power of community! Like many others, my 9-5 is not aligned with my writing career. Finding a supportive creative community is essential. That's why I started The Creative Writing Hour-an online space for writers and creatives. Attend open mics, workshops, and events to immerse yourself in the community. Additionally, seek feedback from fellow writers to improve your craft.
Many times, l've struggled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, even saying no to opportunities. Managing these feelings is crucial. Three things that helped me: limiting social media, keeping a jar of "wins and positive feedback," and remembering my WHY-why I started my creative journey and what it means to me, not others. These practices have been instrumental in overcoming moments of self-doubt. Setting realistic goals and discussing creative challenges with friends can also be helpful.
You have time! Balancing a 9-5 with finishing creative projects requires a lot of energy and patience. Avoid setting unrealistic deadlines that will leave you energetically empty. Prioritize quality over speed. Acknowledge that creativity ebbs and flows— some days you will write for 30 minutes, others just five, and that is still a win! Understand that growth and improvement take time-view each step as a result of your dedication and celebrate it.
I hope some of these personal experiences and insights can be helpful to others who are also balancing a 9-5 with their creative pursuits—I’m rooting for all of us!
If you found this helpful, please share it with someone else who could benefit from it too.
Being a writer while having a 9-5
Being a writer while having a 9-5
Being a writer while having a 9-5
I recently shared a thread on Instagram about five things I have learned during my journey of being a writer (or creative) while having a 9-5 job, and I wanted to take the time to share with the Thoughts On Life community because I received so many messages about the importance of this topic. For many of us balancing both worlds, it can be very hard at times to push forward with our creative dreams. The amount of time, energy, and effort that it requires is a lot.
I want to always be transparent about the ups and downs of pursuing a dream I have never seen anyone else in my family do. And this is the truth for many of us.
We are walking paths that others in our family have never been on, so there is no clear path forward or cheat code—each step and win we experience is a testimony of our dedication, patience, and love towards that goal. On the days we feel doubt and discouragement, we must remind ourselves that we are doing this for the first time.
In one such instance, during my first in-person workout, I was dealing with a lot of imposter syndrome and kept telling myself that no one would show up. Despite my nerves, I went around with my friend Raelina, passing out posters and leaving cards to spread the word. When I got to the venue, I set everything up with intention and love, trying to remind myself that no matter the outcome, I still did something very courageous and admirable, and so, I should feel proud. Nevertheless, I had 7 participants show up, and it was beyond amazing. This experience taught me that even in moments of doubt, showing up with authenticity and courage can lead to beautiful outcomes — after that I knew I wanted to continue to host workshops more often.
Here are the five things I have learned:
Balancing my passion for writing with my responsibilities is crucial, especially when navigating this journey alone. What has worked for me is understanding the importance of not overcommitting. With a 9-5 job and a creative pursuit, good time management is key. Setting aside dedicated hours during the week and weekend for my projects helps me stay accountable while also prioritizing rest to prevent discouragement.
Dealing with creative burnout, or "creative stillness," is common and can lead to feelings of wanting to give up or doubting one's abilities. After a significant period of creative stillness, I realized that a creative mind needs to live fully. When words aren't flowing, it's important to reengage with the world-go for walks, visit friends and family, book a trip, or start a new hobby. Honor the silence as a call to experience life beyond the creative process.
Do not underestimate the power of community! Like many others, my 9-5 is not aligned with my writing career. Finding a supportive creative community is essential. That's why I started The Creative Writing Hour-an online space for writers and creatives. Attend open mics, workshops, and events to immerse yourself in the community. Additionally, seek feedback from fellow writers to improve your craft.
Many times, l've struggled with self-doubt and imposter syndrome, even saying no to opportunities. Managing these feelings is crucial. Three things that helped me: limiting social media, keeping a jar of "wins and positive feedback," and remembering my WHY-why I started my creative journey and what it means to me, not others. These practices have been instrumental in overcoming moments of self-doubt. Setting realistic goals and discussing creative challenges with friends can also be helpful.
You have time! Balancing a 9-5 with finishing creative projects requires a lot of energy and patience. Avoid setting unrealistic deadlines that will leave you energetically empty. Prioritize quality over speed. Acknowledge that creativity ebbs and flows— some days you will write for 30 minutes, others just five, and that is still a win! Understand that growth and improvement take time-view each step as a result of your dedication and celebrate it.
I hope some of these personal experiences and insights can be helpful to others who are also balancing a 9-5 with their creative pursuits—I’m rooting for all of us!
If you found this helpful, please share it with someone else who could benefit from it too.
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