I’ve wasted many days over the years doing housework instead of writing. It’s been impossible to write when there’s beds to make, dishes to wash or clothes to hang out.
The words had to wait until everything was in perfect order, which of course it never was.
Once everything was done, I’d be free to create unencumbered.
Yeah, right.
Often the writing would never happen, the window for word-smithing slammed shut by the time I’d put the finishing touches on our pristine apartment.
Some days I’d find a small window to write after the tasks were done but I’d only get a few hundred words out instead of the thousand words I’d been hoping for. It was like taking a few licks of my favourite salted-caramel ice-cream only to have it stolen just as I was getting into it.
Later that evening, I’d feel frustrated and unfulfilled vowing I’d do better the next day. And then the same thing would happen. I was a wannabe writer not writing.
Any of this sound familiar?
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been testing a neat writers’ hack inspired by the Pomodoro focus-timer technique yet with my own twist.
It allows me to write and do the housecleaning (or any other tasks I’d rather not do) at the same time. And no, it’s not about delegating the housework to my partner or paying a cleaner, although they’re both great options. Nor is it about writing with one hand while dusting with the other.
It’s about splitting your time between the task you love (writing or any other creative pursuit) and the task you don’t love (cleaning etc). For each 45 minutes writing, you spend 15 minutes cleaning. You might also do one hour of writing followed by 20 minutes of chores but always the split is 3 to 1.
I’ve found two things from this writing hack. The first is that I’m enjoying the chores more because I’m not resentful at having to sacrifice my creative time for them. The second is that my writing is better as my creativity is sparked through the physical experience of doing chores like the dishes.
(Every good novel needs a sink scene, right? You know the one where the husband discovers his wife is having an affair while he’s elbow deep in soap suds at the kitchen sink while she’s slow exiting out the back door.)
This hack has helped me get back on track to reach my 2024 writing goal. It turned me from a wannabe writer to an actual writer again. Bliss. Try it out and let me know how it goes.
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With love
Carolyn Tate
Author | Educator | Community Builder | Author of The Purpose Project & Brave Women Write
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