stress – Write on the World

Too often, people talk about skipping breaks as if it’s a mark of dedication. Eat at your desk. Keep working through lunch. Stay glued to your screen because every extra minute counts. I never bought into that mindset. I’ve always taken my breaks, and nowadays I even have my lunch blocked off on my Outlook calendar, hoping to discourage others from scheduling meetings during that time. It doesn’t always work, so sometimes I take my break before or after a meeting—but I still get it. Eating in front of a Zoom meeting does not count as a proper break.

Your breaks are yours—claim them! Step away from your desk, breathe, read, walk, or just enjoy your lunch. Breaks aren’t a luxury—they’re essential for focus, creativity, and sanity. Don’t let guilt or office culture steal your time.

For me, lunch breaks are essential. They’re my reading time, my mental reset, my chance to breathe. On warm days, I step outside for a walk, letting fresh air and movement clear my head. When the weather turns cold, I close my office door, turn away from my computer, and read while I eat. Without this downtime, I am far less focused, far less creative, and far less effective than if I tried to push through lunch at my desk.

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By Ryan Rivera

At some point, most writers feel they are not cut out for this thing they are pursuing. Whether they regard it as their passion or something they’ve always wanted to do, some often feel they do not possess enough skills to produce material that’s worth reading. Self-doubt can be crippling, and writers are not exempt from being bogged down by this feeling. Once it sets in, your vision is clouded with thoughts of inefficiency, not being good enough, and just not being meant to do it. This will hinder you from reaching your maximum potential.

At the same time, you can use it to propel yourself toward improvement. Conquering self-doubt is no easy feat. It comes in bouts, which can be hard to shake off your system. It can be healthy on occasion, if you learn to use it to your advantage. Claim those ill thoughts and unleash your power over them. You must kill it before it kills you. Continue reading “Guest Post: Conquering Self-Doubt about Your Writing Skills” →