Guilt is an incredibly useless emotion. If you feel it, you need to make only one resolution: Figure out how to eliminate it from your life!

OK. Thank you Daphne!

Good idea to keep your time limited to 30 minutes, esp. while on vacation. You shouldn’t ever feel as though you have to work all the time and never get a break! The best possible situation is to have lots of “pent-up demand” — the feeling that you WANT to write and that it’s a great opportunity, not a burdensome obligation.

Jotting down ideas is a great idea. I always have my phone with me so that’s where I note them. I tried little notebooks to begin with, but I was always losing them or forgetting to transcribe the notes. Having the notes in one place makes a huge difference to me.

You’re welcome, Yefry. Thanks for your kind words!

LOVE that expression, “Do or not. There is no try!” So apt. I see many academics, in particular, who spend way too much time “trying” and not nearly enough time “doing.” It’s far better to take some real breaks and gather your energy for small, regular efforts later. Thanks for sharing these helpful thoughts, Fred!

Ah yes, Emily. Republishing old articles is a really good idea. Check your Google Analytics to see which ones have been the most popular for you and pick one of those. Your readers will appreciate it (and you will get a break!)

Glad it was timely for you, Lisa. Be aware that even 15 minutes may be enough to allow you to maintain the habit.

William Stoner does exactly what I do on vacation. I’ve always got a little notebook tucked away for those memory-jogging notes. If I’m really on a roll, I’ll write a bit more, but as you noted, for only 20 or 30 minutes, no matter how much it tugs. Furthermore, if I’m in the middle of a big, messy project (like right now), I do try to postpone vacation so it’s not grabbing my mind and emotions.