How To Transition to Blog Writing After the Workday

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You get home from work. Eat dinner. Do a few chores. Then you sit down to write a blog post.

And the words just won’t come.

A frustrated woman with long dark hair, wearing a red jacket, sits at a desk with her hands on her head, staring at a laptop screen. The desk is cluttered with pens, papers, and other office supplies. Behind her, a monitor displays a rising line graph. The woman's expression reflects stress or overwhelm, likely due to work or a challenging task.

All that is in your mind is the jargon you’ve been using all day at your job. The transition from workday to blog writing is difficult for you.

I work in healthcare and spend my whole day reading through medical records and pulling out information. After a day of words like esophagogastroduodenoscopy, bevacizumab and myelodysplastic, my brain does not shift into being able to write in the way I need to for my blog.

You might not work in healthcare, but every job has it’s own special vocabulary that can affect your writing.

And it’s not just the vocabulary that affects your writing. It can be how you have to write for your job that makes it hard to write in the tone and voice you want to use on your blog. If you write a lot of technical content at work, it can be hard to write in a conversational tone on your blog.

It’s easy to let yourself get frustrated. But don’t let it stop you from building your work. There are a few things you can do help your brain out of that work mode and into blog mode.

Take a Break Between Work and Blogging

Transitioning from work mode to blogging mode can be challenging if you don’t give yourself time to mentally detach from your workday. The cognitive and emotional shift required can be significant, especially if your work involves intense focus, problem-solving, or creative output. Taking a purposeful break helps to reset your brain, making it easier to switch gears and engage in blogging with fresh energy and perspective.

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So don’t come home and sit right down on your blog. Take a little time to decompress.

Eat some dinner. Watch a little TV. Take a walk. Do anything that is completely different from your work tasks. Do something that will clear your mind and reset your mood.

If you work from home like I do, get out of the house to help provide a separation between work anything that isn’t work. I go out to pooper scoop my yard. Even that short time helps turn my work brain off and makes a boundary between work and non-work time.

Some steps you can take to make that separation between work and blogging are:

1. Create an End of the Workday Routine

Creating a routine to do at the end of your workday can act as a signal to your brain that the workday is over. It can be something as simple as brewing a cup of tea, preparing a dinner, or spending time with your dog. Make it an activity you find enjoyable and relaxing that will provide a mental break and help to signal a transition from work mode to relaxation.

2. Get Physical

Doing a physical activity is another effective way to break away from work mode. It could be a quick walk around the block, a yoga session, or a short workout. Movement not only helps to physically distance yourself from your work environment but also clears your mind, making it easier to approach blogging with a refreshed outlook.

4. Create a Physical Boundary

If you work from home, you’ll want to establish a clear boundary between your work space and personal time. Physically leaving your workspace—even just to move to a different room or to do a chore—can help signal the end of your workday. The separation helps to reinforce the transition and prevent the overlap of work-related stress into your blogging time.

5. Take time to Chill

Find some activities that give you a mental reset. Watch your favorite TV show, read a magazine, or listen to music. Choose activities that you find enjoyable and allow your mind to relax. Avoid activities that keep you in a work-related mindset or contribute to stress.

Any of these steps can help you establish an after work routine and help you create a transition from work to blogging that helps reduce stress and improve focus.

Make Time for Reading

Reading can be a powerful tool for shifting your brain from a work-focused mindset to a creative blogging mindset. Plus by immersing yourself in different types of reading materials, it can help rejuvenate your writing voice by helping you transition into the vocabulary and tone you need for your blog.

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So take time to read. Read something that you like. Read something related to your blog niche. Read other blogs.

But don’t read anything work related.

Dive into books or articles that align with your blog’s niche to inspire new ideas and perspectives. Reading other blogs can also be beneficial, as it allows you to see different styles and voices, which can inform your own writing. The key is to engage with content that refreshes your thinking and helps you get into the right frame of mind for blogging.

Here’s how to effectively use reading to support your blogging transition:

1. Choose Enjoyable Reading Material

Select reading materials that you find enjoyable. It doesn’t matter if it’s fiction or non-fiction, the goal is to read with content that brings you joy. This will help clear mental clutter and give you a nice break from work-related thoughts.

2. Read Content Related to Your Blog’s Niche

Reading books and articles related to your blog’s niche can not only help with the content you write, but immersing yourself in topics related to your blog can help you slip into the frame of mind you need for writing content.

3. Read Other Blogs

Take time to read other blogs. This is a great way to see different writing styles, tones, and formats. And often seeing how others are being successful on their blog can give you inspiration to see your blog do the same and motivate you to what to write.

4. Stay Away from Work-Related Reading

This should go without saying but if possible, don’t bring your work home with you. You don’t want to make it any harder to put a distance between work and blogging than it has to be.

Taking a little time for reading, whether it’s to read something to escape from your workday, reading blog related content to help get into blogging mode or other blogs to get motivated to move forward, reading can serve as a bridge to a productive blogging mindset.

Do Creative Things

Do something creative.

By engaging in a creative activity outside of your blog writing gives your brain a nice break. By shifting your focus to something unrelated to your blog, you give your mind a chance to recharge, which can lead to more innovative and productive blogging.

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1. Pursue a Hobby

A hobby is a great way to unwind after work. Not just doing the hobby, but the time spent learning and planning is a great way to change your focus to something that is completely not work related. I love spending time training my dog, Gusto. And the training sessions don’t even have to be long to give me the break I need.

2. Find a Creative Outlet

Integrating hobbies that you are passionate about into your routine can provide a valuable mental reset. Activities like drawing, or crafting, playing a musical instrument or cooking can also help get rid of some of the mental fatigue from work. There is nothing like that Zen-like state you get into while being deep into your hobby to help your mind reset.

By taking time to do creative activities outside of writing, you give your brain a chance to recharge and refresh. The mental break they give will not only alleviate the fatigue you feel from work, but it will help your creative process and lead to more dynamic and engaging blog content.

Write Often

One way to help get into blog mode is to write. A lot. The more often you write, the easier it is to get into writing mode and make the shift into your blog voice.

And we all know practice makes perfect.

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When you maintain a consistent writing practice, you keep your creative muscles active and your ideas flowing. When you write often, even if it’s just a few sentences each day, it helps you overcome the fear of the blank page. As writing becomes a habit instead of these big daunting task, you reduce the pressure of perfectionism. Regular writing builds confidence and reduces the fear of writer’s block, making it easier to tap into your creativity whenever you need it.

It doesn’t have to be just writing on your blog. Consistency is what’s important. Here are some ways to get writing into your schedule. so

1. Practice Freewriting

One way to add writing to your day is to do freewriting. That is where you write continuously for a set amount of time and you don’t worry about grammar or structure. It helps you bypass those internal editors and encourages a flow of ideas. And it takes away the pressure we feel about producing perfect content right away.

2. Incorporate Writing Prompts

If you need a little boost getting started writing, try using writing prompts. They can help stimulate your creativity and also help you explore new topics and angles that you might not have thought about for your blog. Prompts can be found in writing books, on websites and through apps.

Black text on a white background that says- "No clue what to write? Grab 50 writing prompts to inspire your next blog post. Click here!

3. Journal

Journaling can be a great way to write more. Journal about anything you want. You may find it helpful to use writing prompts. By scheduling time every day to journal, you get in regular writing practice and improve your writing skills.

Make Writing a Routine

By making your writing time a routine, you create a daily pattern that makes it easier to transition from the workday to your blogging activities. It will give your productivity a big boost.

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There are several benefits to making writing part of your daily routine.

  • One is that makes writing a habit. And making it a habit makes it easier for your brain know when it’s time to switch from work mode to blogging mode.
  • Another benefit is that regular writing increases your productivity and helps you make steady progress on your blog. This results in more content creation and a consistent posting schedule.
  • It also help you focus by training your brain to concentrate better. This improves your ability to focus on your blog tasks and produce quality content efficiently.
  • Sticking to a regular writing schedule improves discipline. You’ll get better at prioritizing your blogging goals and staying committed to your creative process.
  • Writing regularly increases your motivation because the sense of accomplishment and progress you get by doing it will keep you inspired to continue.
  • Finally, scheduling regular writing time into your day promotes better time management and will help you balance your work, personal life, and blogging activities more effectively.

Here are some tips to help you get started and keep the words flowing!

Tips for Making Writing a Routine:

1. Set a Specific Time for Writing

Choose a consistent time each day or week to dedicate to writing. Find a time that fits your schedule and stick to it as much as possible. For me, my time is 8p.m. when things have settled down for the day. Having a set time helps build a routine. By doing your writing at the same time, your brain will anticipate it and get ready, making the transition into writing mode smoother. Find a time that fits your schedule and stick to it as much as possible.

2. Create Your own Writing Space

Have a space just for writing. It’s a spot you can set up to be comfortable for you and to be free of distractions. Designate a specific area for writing, free from distractions. You want it to be a place where you’ll be able to focus. Settling into your personal writing spot is another signal to your brain to get into writing mode.

3. Add it to your schedule.

Make sure you add your writing time into your schedule just like any other important appointment. Having the reminder helps ensure you don’t forget or skip your writing time, and seeing it in your schedule reinforces its importance. You can use a paper planner, or something like Google Calendar. This simple step can make a huge difference in keeping you consistent and help you make writing a priority in your busy life.

4. Start Small

Begin with short writing sessions, gradually increasing the time as you become more comfortable. Starting small keeps you from getting overwhelmed, gives you the chance to meet a writing goal which helps keep you motivated and makes it easier to stick to your routine. Even just 10-15 minutes a day can make a big difference. As you get used to this new habit, extend your writing sessions. The important thing is consistency, not the length of time you spend writing.

5. Track Your Progress

Seeing your progress can motivate you to maintain your routine and celebrate your achievements. It can be as simple as putting an x on each day you write to more detailed tracking where you keep a journal and record the dates you write, the amount of time you spend, and any ideas or breakthroughs you have. Pick a method that works for you. Tracking your progress not only helps you stay accountable but you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment when you see your consistency and growth over time.

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As you put these tips into practice , you’ll find that moving from work mode to blogging mode becomes easier and more natural, allowing you to write with greater ease and be on your way to making your blog a success.

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