Distance is your new BFF by Claire

Distance is your best friend 

written by Claire 


Happy finals week!

I know that this time in the semester is filled with many contradicting emotions, with stress being the most prominent one. Getting your writing turned in and with confidence is a struggle no matter where you are in your educational journey. I know many of you are turning in seminar papers! And as writers, it's easy to get attached to your writing. You may feel like every word you've written is perfect, and you can't imagine changing a thing. Or you could feel that you’ve done all that you can do and it’s too complicated to fix things at this stage! Taking a step back from your writing during revisions can actually be incredibly beneficial. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Fresh eyes are generative!
When you've been staring at the same piece of writing for hours or days on end, it's easy to get stuck in a rut. You may find yourself making the same changes over and over again without really making any progress. Or you are just staring at the page thinking to yourself, “Yep, this is as good as it’s gonna get!” By taking a break from your writing and coming back to it later, you'll be able to approach it with fresh eyes. This can lead to new ideas and perspectives that you may not have thought of before.

2. You'll catch more mistakes
When you're in the thick of writing and editing, it's easy to miss mistakes. You may overlook a spelling error or a grammatical mistake because you're too focused on the overall message of your writing. By taking a break and coming back to your writing later, you'll be able to approach it with a more critical eye.

3. You'll be more objective
As a writer, it's easy to get emotionally attached to your writing. You may feel like every word is perfect and that you couldn't possibly change anything. However, by taking a break from your writing and coming back to it later, you'll be able to approach it with a more objective perspective.

4. You'll have more energy
Writing and editing can be draining, both mentally and physically! By taking a break from your writing and coming back to it later, you'll be able to approach it with renewed energy. You'll be less likely to feel burnt out or frustrated and more likely to make changes that will improve the overall quality of your writing. Remember, writing is never finished! And, what you have done is already enough! Be kind to yourself and remember that distance is your friend. Take a walk outside, go get coffee, watch some mundane television, or go listen to your newest favorite album! (mine is Ryan Beatty’s newest release)

Finals season isn’t designed to support you—so making sure that you are doing the things that keep you healthy and kind to yourself is the most important thing. Recognize that you are imperfect, your writing is imperfect, and use strategies that help mitigate these anxieties. Try to write your rough draft a bit earlier so that you can take a mini-distance-break and come back to the text with new energy. So, the next time you're feeling stuck in your writing or struggling with revisions, take a break and come back to it later. Your writing will thank you for it, and so will you.

Comment below your thoughts on the final blog of the semester! 




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