George R. R. Martin was 47 when Game of Thrones was published. Margaret Atwood was 45 when The Handmaid’s Tale came out. I’m 37-years-old. I hope to write my whole life, indeed expect my best work to come when I can measure the pursuit of my craft in decades rather than years.
It’s also important to me that I feel good while writing, that I do my best to support my creative work.
So, as a writer, self-care is important. I want to give my body my best to be able to create my best. Here’s what I focus on:
- Exercise. I like to run, hike, do yoga or Pilates, bike, or garden each day. Some of my sharpest creative or business ideas come when I’m moving.
- Skincare with sunscreen. I have a very simple but regular routine, and exfoliate my face twice a week. I use a moisturizer with sunscreen every day.
- Candles. I burn a candle at basically every opportunity I can and rotate scents with the seasons.
- 8 hours of sleep. I love it when I wake up right before my alarm. That tells me I’m getting what I need to feel great.
- Whole foods. I eat breakfast and lunch on my own most days and try to go big with veggies, whole grains, protein, and fruit. I have an insane sweet tooth that only stays at bay if I have tons of yummy whole foods in the house.
- Read. Reading relaxes you, lowers your blood pressure, and has oh so many health benefits. At the root of it, I feel I take care of myself when I make space to finish a non-work book or two each week.
- Dress well. I write in my pajamas a lot more than I used to but when they’re silk or cotton matching sets, I give myself a pass! I do love dressing up though and am always striving for the perfect fit.
- Volunteer. Education, literacy, childhood poverty, and the arts are all important causes and when things feel bleak, I turn to my volunteer tasks.
- Morning pages. I write 3 pages every day except Saturday, helping to clear my head and expand my creativity.
- Intuitive schedule. As much as I rely on my routine schedule, I also make space for rest and fun, especially when something inside of me calls for it, like today’s solo lunch date with a book and Thai food.
I have a few self-care goals I’m reaching for in 2026:
- Do 40 pushups.
- Paint more watercolors.
- Utter, sheer self-confidence that shines with the power of a thousand books.
Should be a good year!
