10 Relaxing Activities to Rediscover Your Writing Voice

10 Relaxing Activities to Rediscover Your Writing Voice

No matter how much you love writing and no matter how creative you are, it’s not always easy to be inspired. That’s especially true when you write for a living, and you hit some creative roadblocks. 

 

The dreaded “writer’s block” can affect anyone. Even if you’re still putting out content, it can sometimes feel like you’re not speaking in your true voice. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to rekindle your creative spark, and boosting your dopamine levels through relaxation is one of the best ways to do it. 

 

With that in mind, let’s look at ten relaxing activities you can regularly do to rediscover your writing voice and step away from stress and pressure. 

1. Meditate

Meditation has been negatively stereotyped by some over the years. That’s because so many depictions of it are incorrect or exaggerated. 

 

You don’t have to chant or “sing” while you’re meditating. You don’t need to sit in a certain position or light candles all around you. 

 

Rather, meditation is about closing your eyes, focusing on deep breathing, and working to center your thoughts. It’s a relaxation technique that anyone can do. Even if you only have a few minutes each morning, choose to sit in a quiet place and breathe deeply. Thoughts will continue to come in, but let them go for now as you release stress and find a place of relaxation to start your day. If you’re not sure how to get started, consider using a guided meditation app that can disconnect you from distractions and help you reach your personal goals. 

2. Take a Walk

Creativity can become stifled if you’re spending too much time focusing on what you need to do. Taking frequent breaks from your writing throughout the day can reduce stress. Plus, you never know what you might see or find that could spark your inspiration. 

 

If you want to make the most of your breaks, go outside and take a walk. Physical activity is a fantastic way to naturally boost your dopamine levels, and being in nature is a natural stress reliever. 

3. Take a Vacation

Sometimes, getting out of your routine can make a big difference in your stress levels. Taking a vacation can help you escape the stress of everyday life, and going somewhere new can inspire creativity and shift your perspective on things. 

 

To make the most of a relaxing vacation, keep the following tips in mind. 

• Create a realistic budget
• Go somewhere off the beaten path
• Plan and pack ahead of time
• Don’t work while you’re traveling
• Plan a few must-do activities

 

If you’re specifically writing in the horror genre, you might even consider going to some spooky places on vacation that can remind you why you got into the niche in the first place!

4. Plan a Staycation

You might not have the time or budget for a trip right now. However, you can relax just as much by planning a staycation. 

 

Take a few days off from any type of work. Explore your community. Go to restaurants you’ve never been to before, and play the role of “tourist” in your own town. Spend as much time outside as possible, and treat yourself to new local experiences, rather it’s a day at the spa or a fancy dinner with someone you love. Other ideas to help you make the most of your staycation include

• Trying a new workout class
• Hiking new trails
• Hosting a backyard movie night
• Having a photoshoot at home
• Hosting a board game tournament

 

Consider the things you love and how you can incorporate them into your time at home. You might find that a staycation is even better for you than traveling anywhere!

5. Seek Out Inspirational Indulgences

As a writer, you never know when inspiration will strike. However, immersing yourself in other creative mediums can make it easier to light the flame and come up with new ideas. If you’re feeling stuck and stressed, consider trying some of the following to relax and find inspiration all at once

 

• Listening to music or going to a concert
• Going to a museum
• Reading other books
• Watching TV shows
• Going to a movie

 

Seeing creativity and inspiration in other forms can help you to feel less pressure while sparking fresh thoughts that you can eventually put to paper. 

6. Try New Hobbies

Studies have shown that having hobbies can help to reduce stress and boost your mood. Having a purposeful activity outside of writing is a great way to reduce pressure on yourself, distract yourself from negative thoughts, and find meaning in your life aside from the work you do. 

 

You can stick with hobbies you’ve always been interested in or try something new. Getting out of your comfort zone with a hobby might seem overwhelming at first, but you could end up finding a new passion that helps you relax every day. 

7. Journaling

It’s not uncommon for writers to use journaling as a way to overcome writer’s block. However, it can also be used as a form of self-care and a relaxation technique. 

 

You don’t have to write long, elaborate paragraphs. Things like bullet points, quotes, or random thoughts and feelings can fill up the pages of your journal. Often, getting things “out,” even if it’s just on paper, will keep negative thoughts from consuming your mind. 

8. Therapy or Counseling

Speaking of getting things out, if you feel like you’re stressed to the point of being anxious or overly sad, you might want to consider talking to a mental health professional. 

 

Finding a therapist or counselor who will listen to your struggles and help you get to the root of your issues can make a big difference in your life. If you’re not comfortable with a traditional talk therapy setting, consider options like

• Art therapy
• Music therapy
• Equine therapy
• Aroma therapy

 

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone, no matter what you’re dealing with. Therapy offers a wonderful reminder of that. 

9. Spend Time With Friends

If you’ve been investing a lot of time in your work, you could be neglecting important social relationships in your life. Unfortunately, that kind of “isolation” often has negative consequences when it comes to mental health. 

 

Isolation can lead to extra stress, feelings of anxiety, and depression, and can even contribute to physical problems like high blood pressure and heart disease. If you’re feeling uninspired, get together with your closest friends or family members, and spend a day enjoying each other’s company.

10. Establish a Self-Care Routine

All of these relaxing activities are great for rediscovering your writing voice. However, you can help to prevent burnout and too much stress before it becomes a problem by making self-care a regular part of your day. 

 

Self-care looks different for everyone. However, finding just a few minutes each day to do something that relaxes you can make a big difference in your stress levels and can free your mind up for more inspiration. 

 

No matter what you decide, don’t let the pressure of writing take over your life. It should remain something you love and something that regularly inspires you. If you’re starting to feel too stressed and it’s affecting the way you work, try some of these activities to healthily get back on track.