Chapter 1: Transitioning to Full-Time Writing

When I embarked on my journey as a full-time technical writer, I feared that my personal writing days were over. For an entire year, that fear seemed justified. In fact, during the initial four months, I found myself completely devoid of any creative output outside of my job. The exhaustion was overwhelming.

While it’s easy to blame full-time employment for such feelings of despair, that’s a discussion for another day. My primary challenge was adjusting to a 40-hour work week after being away from it for years, especially in a role that revolved around writing.

You might say, "What a lucky break!" and you wouldn’t be wrong. This job has been a fantastic opportunity. It’s the highest income I’ve ever earned, both from writing and other sources. At first, I reveled in my newfound financial freedom, allowing me to upgrade my gear, dine at my favorite restaurants, host my parents in New Zealand for their first visit, and even save for a home.

Yet, amidst all this, one vital aspect was lacking: I had completely stopped writing outside of work. I ceased journaling, a daily habit I once cherished. I abandoned my contributions to Medium, which I had consistently maintained since 2020, and even shifted from monthly posts on Patreon to video content, as the words simply wouldn’t flow.

Creatively, I felt drained.

Recognizing this unsustainable situation, I embarked on a quest for solutions. First and foremost, I granted myself grace. I acknowledged that this transition was monumental for me. It was my first experience in a corporate environment and my first full-time role in years. I decided to treat myself with kindness, allowing ample time to adapt to my new routine.

I began to implement small strategies to ease my daily life. Regular breaks became essential, I switched to a standing desk, and I incorporated daily walks into my lunch hour. About four months in, I noticed my body and mind were slowly acclimating to long hours in front of a screen.

Once I felt ready, I resumed exercising. I had abruptly halted my gym routine, overwhelmed by fatigue. Initially, I believed that the only way to cope with a desk job was to exhaust myself physically in other ways. However, as I began running again, I rediscovered that physical movement was crucial not just for my body but also for my mental clarity.

I started with short runs, and to my delight, I immediately felt a boost in my energy, productivity, and overall mental well-being. I continued to practice self-compassion, refraining from criticizing myself for running just a couple of times a week, even if it was at a leisurely pace. The results came swiftly.

Before long, I was running almost daily. As my physical strength grew, so did my mental clarity, transforming my perspective on my full-time job. I shifted from viewing work as an obstacle to seeing it as a means to support my life outside of work.

By year’s end, I was engaging in some form of exercise every day. On particularly good days, I would start with yoga, run during lunch, and climb after work. My energy levels soared—more than I had felt since my early twenties.

But amidst this positive transformation, I faced a challenge: I still wasn’t writing. This realization was the toughest hurdle. I found myself in a position where I had the energy to write again and could carve out time for it, just like I did for yoga or weekend hikes.

I understood that compromises were necessary. Despite my newfound energy and optimism, the 24-hour day remained unchanged. Something needed to be adjusted. I reviewed my weekly calendar and swapped out a few exercise slots for writing time, ensuring I could still maintain my fitness and mental health.

Suddenly, I had time to write. I began with journaling, which felt a bit foreign after months without a notebook, but the comfort of it quickly returned. I then revisited Medium. Initially, my posts were sparse, but I created a folder filled with ideas to draw from whenever I felt stuck. I spent some time behind the scenes, and now I’m eager to start publishing again.

Inspired by my own journey, I am now working on a project focused on helping busy individuals like myself find time to write. Titled "Writing in the Margins," it’s set to launch soon, so stay tuned!

Today, I proudly embrace my role as a technical writer during the day and a motivational non-fiction writer at night. My passion for writing drives me to seize every opportunity to engage in it, and I’ve learned how to make that time while equipping myself with the necessary tools.

In the video "From Overwhelmed to Inspired: The Observation Strategy for Creatives," you can explore techniques to regain your creative flow and overcome feelings of being overwhelmed.

Chapter 2: Cultivating Balance Through Compassion

The motivational video "WHEN YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED | The Battle Is The Lord's" offers encouragement and strength during challenging times, reminding us that overcoming obstacles is possible with faith.

I invite you to join the Grass for Dinner newsletter to enhance your writing skills and maintain your practice. Additionally, consider purchasing my book "Cut the Bullshit" to create space for personal growth and embrace your best self. Connect with a community of writers, creators, and content designers, and feel free to visit my website to explore my portfolio and collaboration opportunities.