* This article was originally published in January 2018. 

Have you been feeling frustrated because you were in the flow or you did have a writing rhythm, but now you feel like you've lost it? 

If so, you're not alone. I see writers struggle with this very thing anytime they've taken a break from their writing, transitioned from one phase of writing to another—like rough draft to revisions—or gone from one type of writing to another, like short stories to a novel. I also see it happen when writers feel like their day to day life has changed. The time they have available and their daily obligations are just different.

The good news is that you can find the flow again. Keep reading to find out how or watch my latest video video.

Finding the flow again is going to require letting go of one idea, and that's the belief that you're trying to recreate what worked before.

The simple truth is that when it comes to writing, what worked last week or last month may not work right now.

When you accept that, you can begin to look for your new normal. The way that I like to do that is to pause and reflect on a week by week basis.

• In the coming week, what do I have on my plate?
• How much time do I have? 
• How much energy do I have? 
• And based on that, how can I show up for my writing?

What that does is allow me to adapt my writing to what's going on in my life and still make time for it.

Some weeks I might write less, some weeks I might write more, but in the long-term what I can see is that it allows me accomplish quite a lot. I'm setting goals and intentions that I can actually meet. 
 

When I do that I feel more focused and energized by the things that I am doing rather than focusing on the things that I'm not doing. 

So I want to invite you to give it a try. Take a moment to reflect. What does your coming week look like and based on that how do you want to show up for your writing?

Let me know how it goes in the comments or on the WritingStrides Facebook page.  I love to hear from you, and I'll always respond personally!

P.S. Ready for a writing breakthrough? Break free from writing rules that don't work and find your way with my FREE three-part series: Inside the Writers Mind. The first insight (and writing prompt) could be yours today.