Stay Sane: Find Your Work-Life Balance
When my work gets intense, I tend to go down the rabbit hole and ignore everything else for a while. It’s great for my Programs and clients, but not so much for me and my family. I found some ways to avoid that, which is why I thought you might find these tips helpful.
So, having a work-life balance is great. In theory. But is it realistic for a screenwriter in Hollywood?
Most working screenwriters I know are either buried in deadlines and meetings or furiously writing new material in the hopes of landing their next gig —which will mean a new set of deadlines and meetings. I often hear that it feels like being on a hamster wheel of work that’s hard to get off of.
If you’re twenty and single that kind of extreme hustle might be manageable, but what do you do when you’re in your 30s or older and have a life partner or a family? How do you survive the “whirlwind” of this industry without pushing yourself until burnout?
I don’t think the “perfect balance” exists. (If it did, I’d be doing it.) But there are things you can do to support your career and your personal life in a more equal way.
When you find yourself in the middle of work insanity, here are a few strategies to gain back a sense of control, maintain your happiness, and keep your wellbeing in check — without compromising your career mojo.
1. Try a morning and bedtime routine
Incorporating a bit of routine to start and end your day can help you feel more focused and less stressed. This doesn’t mean you need to create an elaborate ritual every morning (but if that’s your thing, go for it!). You can keep it short and sweet: In the morning, maybe meditate for 5 minutes before your coffee’s ready, or journal a page or two before ever checking your email (this is a hard one! But I make myself do it most days and always feel better when I do). At night, try carving out time before bed to read/listen to a good book or jot down tomorrow’s to-dos. If you can, spend the last few moments before you go not in front of screen. It can help to clear your mind and give you a better night’s sleep (which all of us can use when we’re super busy).
2. Set priorities
Juggling multiple writing projects at once can feel overwhelming. So, figure out which projects take priority and push the rest down the ‘to do list’. For example, if you have a studio waiting on a draft, meet that time-sensitive deadline first, then work on your personal spec. Or, if everything you’re working on feels equally important, start with the harder tasks. (I learned this through trial and error and it really works.) This might look like tackling creative notes from a producer earlier in the day and saving simpler tasks, like a copy edit on a script, for later when your creativity feels non-existent. Setting priorities helps you manage your time more effectively and reduce that anxiety over looming deadlines.
3. Delegate
Delegating doesn’t have to mean a “major move” like hiring an assistant (though if you have the money it might be a great idea). Even finding small ways to take a few responsibilities off your plate can make a big difference. This might mean asking a friend to walk your dog those two times a day, or ordering some ready-made meals so you don’t have to cook while finishing a script. Or if you have a partner (or a really nice roommate) — ask them to be in charge of dinner for a few nights so you can get your work done. Delegating a few tasks to others not only frees up time, it allows your brain to focus on the creative stuff and let go of the rest.
4. Set Boundaries
When you’re busy it’s easy to let work creep into every aspect of your life. Try setting working hours and sticking to them. Having a set writing schedule not only helps you get your work done, it allows you to set boundaries with your family, friends and yourself. If everyone knows that you write between 7am and 12noon, then they'll be less likely to interrupt you (and you’ll have an easier time saying no when interruptions inevitably happen). This applies to your kids too. It’s okay to have boundaries with them. “Mom’s working right now, but we can go to the park in two hours”. Also —
5. Move your body (even just a little)
When work gets crazy, exercise is often the first thing to go. But the stress-reducing benefits, of even just a little exercise, can be a huge help when work piles up (not to mention sitting at a laptop all day is tough on your body). I give myself a non-negotiable 10-minutes a day. If I do 10-minutes, I’m a success. If you can’t fit in your normal exercise routine, think of smaller ways you can get the blood flowing. Try a short walk around the block between writing stints or YouTube a short yoga or abs routine you can do at home (Yoga with Adriene videos on YouTube are a personal fav of mine). Anything that gets the heart rate up and gives your creative brain a break.
6. Just do your best
Finding a ‘work-life balance’ in this business isn’t easy. If you’re so busy right now that the only exercise you’re getting is standing up to plug in your laptop — don’t stress. Just do your best to find a few minutes of ‘me time’ in the madness (even if you only do 3 out of these 6 tips, it’s okay ☺). No matter how much you love what you do, finding a bit of balance between work and your wellbeing will not only help you be a more productive and creative writer, it will help you live a happier (and less stressed) life.
So, how do you stay sane when you’re busy? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!
For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:
For the ultimate guide to pitching a TV show that sells, check out my e-book, The Ultimate Guide to a Killer Pitch
To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.
For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.
And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).