Oohs and Aahs for 5.23.25

Is writing like exercising?

As a 45-year-old woman, I am intensely aware of the benefits of weight lifting. (Thank you, Instagram. I have received the memo!) Here’s what I’ve absorbed from all the many ads and coaches that cross my feed.

• Exercise is essential to my physical and mental health.

• I should do it every day.

• I should do it three times a week.

• I shouldn’t waste my time with cardio.

• I should mix it up.

• I should do what feels good.

• I should push through and exercise even when I don’t feel like it.

• We should all be moving at least 150 minutes a week.

• Anything less than 20 minutes a day isn’t worth it.

• Even 10 minutes a day is worth it.

• Three times a week.

• Every day for the rest of your life.

Anyone else confused and over being told what to do?

Here’s what I personally find helpful when it comes to exercising:

• Choosing activities that feel good in the moment, not things I think will be helpful in 20 years, makes me more likely to actually get moving

• Acknowledging that aesthetics matter and pep talks help (If I’m going to do anything extra, I’m going to do it with Obe.)

• Getting out of my comfort zone and pushing a little, but knowing in the long run I’m more likely to keep going if exercise feels really manageable and easy to integrate into my day

• Tracking my habits feels good until it doesn’t. Either way is ok. Switching it up is ok too.

• Giving myself credit for all the things I’m already going right (going for walks, stretching, lifting light weights when heavy feels impossible)

• Counting ten minutes of weights as good work

• Seeing myself as someone who enjoys exercise

• Letting go of what it looks like or whether it sounds impressive

Why am I confessing all my exercise secrets? Because all the things that help me exercise consistently also help me write consistently too.

I’m not really trying to tell you that this is how you should write too, but I do think it helps to develop an awareness around how YOU manage to do things that you want to do but struggle to find the time and energy for. Writers tend to feel more successful when they’re actually writing (not just thinking about writing), so if you’re trying to build some momentum, here are some things that might help.

• Choose a project to work on that feels like something you might want to think about for years (Bonus points if it feels fun and surprising.)

• Make the writing process pleasurable. Buy a pretty notebook. Make a dreamy playlist. Put together a cute snack plate. Wear comfy pants.

• Message a friend and cheer each other on whether you simply show up or actually make progress.

• Be intentional about when you give yourself deadlines or push to make progress. Sometimes that can be motivating and sometimes it leads to burnout. No matter what you’re working on, you can’t live in push mode forever.

• Try tracking your progress visually, either with a habit app or in a planner, but don’t be afraid to let it go if it doesn’t feel satisfying. It doesn’t have to MEAN SOMETHING about you or your writing.

• Give yourself credit for EVERYTHING! Reading and taking notes, taking a writing class, eavesdropping and writing down a line of dialogue, coming up with the title, or naming a character…it all counts!

• Introduce yourself as a writer. Believe in yourself! Take your own ideas seriously and celebrate whenever you’re able to give them time and energy to take shape.

Still struggling to find the time and energy to write?

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This Week I’m…

• Refreshing my website (You’ll find workbooks, critiques, coaching, and more there.) 👩‍🎤

• Loving

  Julie Vick
  ’s round up of writer moms and dads sharing how they plan to juggle childcare and creative work this summer 😎

• Reading all the conflict-free/observational picture books on this list 📒

• Pinning writer headshot ideas 📸

• Watching

  Dacy Gillespie
  ’s guide to giving yourself permission to buy clothes that fit 💃

• Looking forward to reading some weird old fairytales 📖

• Enjoying Nate Bargatze captioning New Yorker cartoons in a roundabout way 📰

• Making time for Elaine Lee’s new class on drawing flowers 🌸

• Appreciating Julie Scheina’s lucid take on AI in publishing 👩‍💻

• Feeling inspired by The Motherload art collective 🎨

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Nebula Notebook is a place to meet kindred spirits, get inspired, and learn how to find ease and joy in the creative process—even when life is bananas. 🍌🍌🍌

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✏️ PS—The fastest way to grow as a writer is to book a manuscript critique or a creative coaching session with an expert. My clients get agents, sell books, and win awards. They also learn how to enjoy the creative process, so they can keep going when life gets hard. 👏