Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect — or want — them. Whether it’s a work crisis, an ever-changing political situation, or returning from a trip with COVID (like me, right now), uncertainty makes it hard to stay focused, let alone creative. But here’s a secret I’ve learned: writing amidst chaos isn’t just possible—it can be incredibly powerful. When the world feels out of control, writing can be the one thing we can wrangle, manipulate, and shape to make sense of the noise around us. Here are four secrets to success, based on my experience.

Secret 1: Embrace the Chaos

Go ahead. Give the chaos a big ol’ hug. Like one of those bear hugs you give a friend you haven’t seen in years. After all, chaos isn’t the enemy of creativity—it’s fuel for it. Hell, it might be rocket fuel. Worried about something that is WAY outside of your control? Magnify that worry and funnel it into your characters. Make them freak out in ways that resonate with readers. Maybe even have another character discuss the situation with them. Imbue them with words you would find helpful or comforting. Instead of fighting the chaos, lean into it. Hug it. Let it inspire your stories, your characters, your themes. Life is messy and unpredictable. Our writing can be, too.

Secret 2: Establish Routines, But Be Flexible

Routines can provide a much-needed anchor when everything else feels unstable. Oftentimes, I go so far as to schedule out my day in 30-minute increments. Time for my consulting work, time for house work, and time for writing. And I go into detail — vacuum the bedroom at 2:30 pm on Wednesday. Begin making dinner at 5:30 pm. Work on that democracy project for work from 9 am to noon on Friday. This way, when chaos invades my brain, I can use the schedule to calm myself. No need to worry about when that work project will get done — it’s scheduled for Friday morning. This scheduling frees my brain space so I can concentrate on the here and now. In this case, writing a post for my website.
But there is an IMPORTANT subcomponent to this secret: be gentle with yourself. If you miss a day or need to adjust your routine, that’s okay. Give yourself compassion. Give yourself some grace. Your routine should support you, not stress you out. Find what works for you in the moment, and go with it. But don’t be afraid to change things up next week, month, or year. You evolve, and so should your routine.

Secret 3: Connect with Other Writers

As I’ve written about before, writing is a solitary venture but you are not in this alone. Writing groups are a lifeline when the chaos of life gets rough. Sharing your struggles and successes with others provides a sense of connection. Sometimes, writing groups help you push through the chaos and get some words down on paper. Other times, they can be sounding boards for when you get stuck with a particular section, scene, or character arc. Sometimes, they can just listen to you whine and make supportive grunts. Don’t lie — we all know that helps sometimes. Other times, they can give us the kick in the kiester that we need to get our mojo back. If you are a writer, you’ve been through all the emotions — the highs of nailing a scene, the heartbreak of rejection, the horror of re-reading that scene you thought you nailed only to realize it is garbage, the imposter syndrome followed by a feeling of having written the best manuscript on God’s green earth. It sounds trite, but connecting with others who have been through the same allows us to magnify the good times while sharing the load of the hard times. And in a chaotic moment, these connections really are lifelines.

Secret 4: Be Kind to Yourself

This section is more for me that y’all. But maybe it’ll help you, too. Remember to be kind to yourself. Writing through uncertainty sucks sometimes, and it’s okay to have days when the words just won’t come. Don’t beat yourself up if things aren’t going the way you planned. Celebrate the small victories—whether it’s writing a few sentences, finding a new idea, or simply sitting down at your desk. Every little bit counts.

That’s all I got for ya. Just remember: Writing during uncertain times isn’t just about keeping up with your goals—it’s about giving yourself a way to process and navigate the world around you. It might not always be easy, but it’s worth it. Embrace the chaos, find your routine, and most importantly, be kind to yourself. You’ve got this.

I’d love to hear from you. How do you stay creative during challenging times? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s support each other through this bonkers journey we all decided to embark upon.