Against Discipline
"How do I make myself write every day?"
Today’s post was inspired by a question from my favorite instructor at the Pilates place I go to, about how to get himself to write every day. Ironically, one way I personally sustain a daily writing practice is thanks to this very Pilates instructor and all his insights into counteracting the spinal compression caused by sitting in a chair for a million hours a day. (This wasn’t a tip he could personally benefit from, since he already is himself, but I thought I would tell you guys: Pilates.)
Also “ironically”: at the moment he asked that question, I wasn’t feeling especially enthusiastic about writing—but, once I saw his enthusiasm, mine came back, to the extent that I talked nonstop for 10 minutes. Was it definitely not mildly alarming to anyone in the Pilates place? No. But I felt great, and left thinking, “I have to share this energy on Substack!” Maybe there is another tip in there about sustaining a daily writing practice, viz.: regular contact with (a) enthusiastic people who are (b) at different stages of writing, because at different periods you can access different forms of enthusiasm and it’s good to remember the past ones or imagine the ones that might be in the future.
Coming up after the paywall, as a thank-you for the paid subscribers who play such a key role in helping me sustain a daily writing practice: 1700 words about sustaining a daily writing practice.
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to get up and stretch every 30 minutes!
