Writing routines can change…

If you set new ones.

Summer break throws off everyone’s routine. Kids are off school, shifting sporadically from lazy days to half-day camps and evening sports. Week to week our routines change. And there are still chores, errands, and oh yeah, I should probably remind them to read and do their summer math packets—but it’s summer!

Things are opening up so we can do more stuff, but my youngest can’t be vaccinated yet so we can’t forget the masks either. Yes, I still wear one sometimes despite being vaccinated to reduce his risk and to follow the rules of places that still require them. And because, well, solidarity. Who wants to be the only one in the family that has to mask? So I can take him places and do things, but it’s been slow getting back into the summer bucket list and going places. And it’s thrown off my writing habits.

Some days I log several hours on my laptop keys. Other days I don’t write/edit at all. It’s weird, but it’s ok as long as I plan it out and don’t go too many days without writing. Because I need good work habits to avoid a slump. And mostly because writing makes me incredibly happy.

So fellow writers, if summer has knocked around your routines, don’t worry. Roll with it a bit to enjoy this season of life. But try to find a new routine that works to keep things moving forward. Keep writing already, but enjoy the curve balls life throws at you whenever you can.