Most writers work from the comfort of their own home.  This can be both a blessing and a curse.  It can mean you don’t have to worry about showering, throwing on clothes, and rushing out the door every morning.  That’s great news for those of us who are alarm-clock-impaired.  Of course, it can also mean sitting around in your pajamas all day… not too attractive.  If you’re self-motivated and enjoy your own company, then writing from home may be the perfect profession for you.  But even if you prefer to spend a lot of time alone, there are several reasons you should make an effort to get out.

For one thing, writers need inspiration in order to work.  A lot of it comes from inside your own head, but you don’t want to turn into an episode of House.  True, he discovers a unique disease in every new patient, but the tired formula of rejections and revelations is so predictable!  Even Sue Sylvester from Glee is out-snarking Gregory House.  Why?  Because we get it in every episode!  The point is, you need to mix it up if you want to avoid repetition and boredom.  Just as you sample multiple forms of media, you need to experience distinctive environments if you want to keep your writing fun and fresh.

Plus, people need companionship.  We are inherently social creatures and if you don’t nurture that aspect of your biology, you are going to be an unhappy camper.  By cutting yourself off from others, you are likely to develop feelings of depression at the very least.  Even worse, you may find yourself unable to write.  So why bite the hand that feeds you?  Just because writers have historically been an antisocial lot doesn’t mean you have to go down the “tortured artist” path.  Take advantage of the fact that you are one of the few lucky people in the workforce with the ability to set your own schedule.  Meet friends for lunch, take a class, or pencil in a jog.  All of these out-of-office activities will reboot your brain and leave you feeling reinvigorated for your next writing assignment.

And don’t forget about relationships.  It takes two to tango and if you’re padlocked to your computer all the time, you risk alienating the ones who love you.  So for your own mental health, to preserve your relationships, and to excel in your chosen profession, make an effort to get out of the house once in awhile.  It will ensure that your life and your work continue on a path of growth instead of running into almost certain stagnation.

Where do you go and what do you do when you need to get out of the house to refresh your writer’s mind?

Thomas Warren is a content writer for Go College, one of the oldest and most trusted resources to guide students on how to finance and succeed in college.

Photo credit: 03-28-09 © Jenna Wagner
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