Writing related activities also count as writing

We often feel guilty when we’re not actively putting words on the page during our scheduled writing time. We’ve blocked out a session, found a quiet space, and opened the document – but sometimes, the words don’t come. The good news is that writing related activities can be just as valuable as putting words on the page. When the words won’t flow, you can still make meaningful progress on your writing projects through various complementary tasks that contribute to your writing goals.

Writing related activities that drive progress

Writing is not a single task but rather a constellation of interconnected activities. When you’re not in the right frame of mind for actual writing, you can still make meaningful progress through:

  • Reading and annotating papers related to specific ideas in the piece
  • Editing and restructuring existing sections
  • Creating rough outlines for future sections
  • Researching potential journals for submission
  • Organising your references and citations
  • Brainstorming new ideas or connections
  • Reviewing feedback from colleagues

By reframing our understanding of writing time to include these “writing-adjacent” activities, we remove the pressure to always be creating new content. This approach acknowledges that different mental states are suited to different tasks, and all of them contribute to the final output.

Building momentum through different tasks

Think of writing like tending a garden. Some days you plant new seeds (drafting), other days you prune existing growth (editing), and sometimes you simply prepare the soil (reading and research). Each activity is essential to the overall growth of your work.

Rather than forcing ourselves into a rigid definition of writing that leads to guilt and stress, we can create a more flexible and sustainable approach that honours the natural ebbs and flows of our creative and intellectual energy.


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