Writing from home might sound like a dream—but when your office is also your kitchen table and your to-do list includes both word counts and grocery runs, balance can feel impossible. As a writer (especially if you’re a mom or juggling multiple roles), it’s easy for your creative work to get squeezed out or for everything else to take over.
According to a Pew Research Center study, 66% of mothers say they don’t have enough time for themselves. This stat hits home: when you’re caring for everyone else, carving out time for your own creative work can feel selfish—even though it’s absolutely essential.
The good news? You can protect your writing time and your peace. Here are 9 practical tips to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance—so you can keep showing up for your words and your world.
1.Set firm (but kind) boundaries around your writing time.
Decide when you’ll write—and when you won’t. Maybe it’s early mornings before the kids wake up, or a focused hour while they nap. Whatever your rhythm, honor it like a meeting with a publisher. Just as important? Knowing when to close the laptop and be fully present with your family, friends, or yourself. Your words matter—but so does your life outside the page. Boundaries protect both.
2. Prioritize What Actually Moves the Needle
Start each day with a quick brain dump, then highlight the top 1–3 tasks that will truly move your writing or life forward. Not everything needs to be done today. Focus on what matters most—and give yourself permission to let the rest wait.
3. Take Real Breaks (Not Just Scrolls)
Breaks aren’t lazy—they’re necessary. Step away from your screen, stretch, go outside, or drink your coffee while it’s hot. Tiny pauses reset your creativity so you can come back sharper and calmer.
4. Put Joy on the Calendar
Don’t just “hope” you’ll find time to rest or have fun—schedule it. Whether it’s yoga, book club, a solo Target run, or coffee with a friend, protect those moments like you would a doctor’s appointment. Your joy is not optional.
5. Chunk Big Projects Into Bite-Sized Tasks
Writing a book? Launching a business? Cleaning the garage? Whatever it is—break it into steps you can actually finish. When you divide your projects into manageable chunks, progress feels doable (and way less overwhelming).
6. Ask for Help (and Actually Accept It)
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Whether it’s asking your partner to take bedtime duty or outsourcing design work, delegating isn’t weakness—it’s wisdom. Let others support you so you can focus on what only you can do.
7. Build in “Me Moments” During the Day
Waiting until the end of the week to recharge? Too late. Add mini self-care check-ins to your daily rhythm—a walk, five minutes of journaling, or even closing your eyes for one full song. Refuel before you crash.
8. Use Tools That Work for You
Apps like Trello, Notion, or even a paper planner can help you stay organized without mental overload. Set reminders, create checklists, and let tech take a few things off your plate so you can keep writing—and living.
9. Unplug Without Guilt
Power down the laptop, silence the notifications, and close the 13 browser tabs. Protect your evenings and weekends like sacred ground. Your brain needs space to wander, rest, and reconnect with the people you love.
Taking care of yourself isn’t optional—it’s essential. When you write from a rested, well-fed, joy-filled place, your words have more power, and your life feels less like a sprint and more like a rhythm
👉 Want to carve out time and structure to finally finish your book—without burning out?
Join 30 Day Author and let’s write your story your way.
