How do you sit down to write when your brain won’t cooperate?

10 things that actually help and aren’t a shi**y hack

Sometimes I love having a mind that’s a bit different. I love the ideas I come up with, my capacity for empathy, and being part of the neurospicy community which is populated with the funniest and most interesting people on the planet.

What I don’t love though, is sitting down to write and not being able to do it. Sometimes no matter how hard I try, I can’t focus. Other times I just lose all of my enthusiasm without warning. It’s awful, frankly.

My current distraction

Over the years I’ve learned to be gentle with myself and walk away when it’s a bad brain day. Sometimes though, I can turn it around.

The basics

I know there’s a trope about writers sitting around in grungy pyjamas, drinking gallons of coffee and never seeing the light of day. I don’t know anyone who could write in those conditions. If you are serious about creating a regular writing practice for yourself, self-care is the first step. 

And I don’t mean bubble baths. 

I mean that boring stuff like eating regularly, prioritising sleep, drinking water, getting outside. 

Obviously, these things aren’t easy for neurospicies. I don’t find it easy. But I know that my writing practice is more successful when I’m making an effort to show up for myself, and give myself the love and attention I need.

Noise cancelling headphones

Absolute game changer. If I am feeling distractable, I put on my noise cancelling headphones and play background music (ideally without lyrics, for me). Not only do they help with focus, they calm me down.

I can feel my shoulders drop away from my ears when I put them on because they cut out the background noise that overwhelms my system.

Dress up

Heard of dopamine dressing? The idea is you wear clothes that make you feel happy, whether that’s a nice sensory fabric or a bright pattern. Whatever works for you.

I find dressing up in the clothes that make me feel good, make my writing better too. 

(Pyjamas are definitely one of the outfits that make me feel good).

Doesn’t get more dopamine-y than a leopard print coat and a Random Hand t-shirt

Create the write* environment (*sorry)

This takes some experimentation, and if you’re neurospicy what works will probably change often. Fun huh. 

Having said that, being intentional about creating a space that feels good to be in will make a huge difference to your practice. This doesn’t mean you need to kit out a whole fancy office.

Sometimes something as simple as lighting a candle can be enough to set the mood.

I also find a change of scenery can work wonders. If I’m not feeling it at home, I’ll take myself to the library or a cafe, and often, that will get the words flowing.

Company

Body doubling is a thing with ADHDers because IT WORKS. Writing groups (in person or online) are great, or even sitting in a room with someone who isn’t writing. 

If you’re alone, you could try messaging someone to let them know what you plan to write. The accountability can help.

Working in cafes and libraries can have the same effect - the company doesn’t have to be anyone you know!

Visualise your session

If I know I want to write I’ll try to have a clear goal in my mind. This doesn’t have to be a word count goal. I find that goals like wanting to take some time for myself, or wanting to explore a particular idea are incredibly effective.

Think about where you will write, how you will write (pen, pencil, quill or computer?) 

Having a clear vision in mind for my session helps to eliminate indecision for me, and means I can go in and get started.

Be flexible

Having said it’s a good idea to visualise your session… let’s not forget our old friend demand avoidance. If I am too prescriptive and feel as though I HAVE to work on a certain thing, I immediately don’t want to. 

So firstly, I try and frame it as a want. ‘I want to sit down and write because I want to share this article.’

Secondly, I give myself options. I’ll decide where and when I’m going to write, and then have a couple of different projects to choose from, a prompt to play about with, or even a book to read if it really isn’t coming. Reading counts towards writing time IMO.

Keep it short

Aiming to sit down and write for hours is setting yourself up to fail. Aim to write less, more often. If you end up getting in the zone and doing more, fab. Otherwise, you’re still building the habit.

Nothing wrong with a little treat

I often bribe myself to write with a cake, new notepad or a fancy coffee. Whatever little bits of novelty I can add definitely help.

Coffee is my favourite little treat…

When works best for you?

I don’t know about you, but there are times of day I don’t function well. Between 2-4pm for one. Also first thing in the morning.

I tried getting up super early to write and it wasn’t for me. I wrote about three words and was a grumplestiltskin for the rest of the day.

Try keeping a record of when you feel at your best, and, if you can, plan your writing time accordingly. Which is hard.

I work best mid morning, which is unfortunately when I have to do my day job. But the second best time for me is early evening so I write then before sitting down (a little sit down is the end of the chance of me doing anything productive…). And weekends I’ll schedule in a mid morning writing session. 

I hope a couple of these ideas are useful to you. I’d love to hear some of the things that work for you too!