It’s hard enough to be creative, to come up with a unique idea and see it through to completion. Add to the equation this unsettled era, the concerns of the crippling pandemic, and you might find your creative juices totally stalled, stunned into silence by the overwhelming impact of what’s happening all around you.

I’ve had my moments. Initially, as an introvert, I found the idea of being stuck at home somewhat refreshing. The idea staled quickly when my inner senses reminded me that there was a world out there, one that I should venture out into from time to time to maintain my sanity and to boost my creative ideas. Watching the news and current events didn’t help. All I heard was doom and gloom. Following quips on Facebook didn’t help either: even the so-called humorous lines, like the bookstore sign that noted the apocalyptic section had been moved to current affairs, started to lose the humor appeal.

So, how can you, as a creative writing genius, overcome this lull in your writing life? Here are some suggestions of what worked for me:

1. It might seem silly, but I needed my own space within my home, my alone space, where I could build my imaginary cocoon. Now that other members of the family were working from home, I was besieged by interruptions, making continuity in my writing agenda a thing of the past. My imaginary cocoon became my safe zone. If anyone dared to interrupt (and they did), I would offer a coy, but forced smile, address the issue that made them interrupt and then return to my task at hand. There were times when I locked my door, to prevent such interruptions, but somehow those determined to interrupt will find a way.

2. The next thing I had to do was organize my routine. I am routine-driven and when outside forces interfere, I resort to making lists. This may seem silly: making a to-do list. However, I do find it helps organize my routine, my ideas and my writing/working regimen. Whenever I’m in a rough spot, I have always resorted to this ritual. My grandmother taught me well. She survived the Depression, raised a family, ran a store and looked after a sick husband and sick parents. She had her breakdowns. We all do. But she allowed herself the time to sob and feel sorry for herself, then she braced her shoulders, returned to the tasks at hand, made a few lists and got busy.

3. Routine is important to maintain. Life goes on. For better or worse, we have to endure and persevere. My mother always claimed we were survivors. I’d like to think we’re more than that. So, I make sure that I get up at the same time every morning. Seems pretty obvious. Sadly, so many people are sleeping in later and later because they don’t have to be at work or at school at any given time. I do my best writing in the early hours. By getting up early, instead of lying in bed dreading another worrisome day, I can address my writing with fresh vigor and ensure that I accomplish something positive.

4. And I wash, dress and prepare for another day. Why don’t I wear my pj’s all day? Like so many other Covid stay-at-home workers? Well, I like to think of daytime as something different from nighttime and wearing my pj’s all day just makes me feel lazy, sleepy and dopey. Not a good mix.

5. My first writing task of the day is my journal. I like to begin my day by writing something personal. It doesn’t have to be long, but my thoughts are important – to me, at least. And it reactivates my brain cells after a long night’s rest.

6. Take care of the dog. That includes feeding, outdoor rituals, walking. Very important. The dog doesn’t realize there’s a pandemic going on and he expects everything to remain the same. And, so it should. To a point.

7. Breakfast. I like to eat three meals a day and all at about the same time as every other day. Why change my eating habits? They’ve worked for me before and they can continue to work for me now. A good diet feeds the brain and instills fresh ideas into the creative process.

8. Clean the kitchen. Do some laundry. Usual morning chores. Necessary to keep my sanity. I hate clutter. Part of being an introvert, I’m a bit of a clean freak. So, keep up the ritual and the chore doesn’t multiply. Another thing my grandmother instilled in me: get the least favorite jobs over with first, then you can really enjoy the day.

9. Return to my writing cocoon and work on my latest endeavor. I like to start with my fiction works as they help me escape the real world. After a good fictional workout, I address some of my nonfiction pieces in the works.

10. Reading. Lots of reading. Reading to write book reviews. Reading for pleasure. There’re never enough hours in a day to do all the reading I’d like to do. Even during Covid lockdown. Though I must admit it’s a little more difficult to keep my mind focused, even on a good book, with all that’s happening out there.

11. Write letters to someone who is probably feeling the loneliness and isolation more than you are. The old-fashioned letter-writing game is one that I still follow. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as hand-writing (in cursive, no less and on paper) a personal letter, popping it in the mail and waiting for a reply. Some of the people I write to, seniors in long term care homes, can’t even leave their rooms, so receiving a letter, or even a phone call, brightens their day. I write these people at least once a week, many don’t write back, which is okay. I do understand. But it gives me pleasure knowing that I’m giving someone else something to look forward to.

The important thing is to get into a routine and stick to it. Force the negativity of the outside world out of your mind and make yourself do some writing and some reading each and every day. It may not be the best writing of your life, but it’s something. And, it keeps the creative juices flowing, in spite of the negative world that threatens our inner peace. When I feel the pressures from out there forcing their way into my personal space, I sit down, take out my journal (even though I’ve already written in it for the day), and write my thoughts, my concerns, my fears, my insecurities. It doesn’t erase the problems, the heavy weight of this lockdown, but it does ease the burden and it gives me the strength to carry on with my daily regimen.

When another day is over, I can feel satisfied that I’ve accomplished something with my writing, which is, of course, my life. Life goes on, after all, with or without us.