Go outside

It’s such an easy fix and yet I forget it nearly every time.

It’s usually when I’m in the middle of a project, or when I’ve been editing or analysing something for a while and I’m in need of a fresh take on it.

The temptation is to carry on sitting there, working away at it, worrying over it.

And while that’s useful for some projects it does lead me into the danger of over analysing what’s on the page already rather than bringing something new to it.

And there’s one free easy way to fix that that works almost every time. Go for a walk.

It’s amazing how often I’ll come up up with new insights or ideas to do with the project I’m working on if just get outside and walk. There are numerous studies on the benefits of walking to ease the flow of ideas or to open the mind. And yet, so often I’ll forget how well it works, or think it’s more productive to stay where I am.

But almost every time, like magic, it works. Especially if you really aren’t thinking about what you were doing but are enjoying the fresh air on your face or the trees or the bright summer flowers. That’s when I find myself scrabbling for my phone to take down the thoughts that are now crowding my head - the ones that were so elusive when I was sitting at my desk.

It’s one of my top tips when people ask me about a writing practice but it’s so simple that I think people don’t believe me. Until they try it.