Writers are passionate people.
We pour ourselves into our stories, our characters, our sentences . . . we write until our fingers hurt and eyes blur, edit until we hate our own voice, and push through deadlines, family life, and existential doubt with pure grit and determination.
And then (surprise!) we eventually crash.
Burnout is everywhere in the writing world.
But what if I told you it doesn’t have to be this way?
What if your best work could actually come after the nap, not in spite of it?
Let’s dig into the science behind stress and creativity.
Your Hormones Are Killing Your Writing
Yup, it’s time to talk hormones.
Specifically, cortisol.
Yeah, that darn stress hormone. It’s helpful for waking you up in the morning, but not so great the rest of the time.
When cortisol is high (from deadlines, burnout, sleep deprivation, or, say, your plot falling apart at chapter 18), your brain shifts into survival mode. It prioritizes safety and efficiency, not creativity or innovation.
High cortisol levels reduce cognitive flexibility, working memory, and mood regulation.
In other words: stressed writers don’t write well.
Or at all.
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
There’s a dangerous mindset in the writing world that says rest is earned, that unless you’re producing word count like a machine, you don’t deserve the break.
But that’s not how real creativity works.
Creativity is a resource, not a factory line.
It needs nourishment. It needs recovery.
And if you want to write consistently over the long haul (NOT just during a caffeine-fueled NaNoWriMo sprint), then you must treat your well-being like the asset it is.
The truth is, taking care of your body, your mind, and your emotions isn’t a retreat from writing.
It’s a HUGE part of it. .
Here’s what happens when you slow down:
· Your brain chemistry rebalances
· Your nervous system resets
· You gain perspective on your work and your life
· New ideas surface from places you didn’t even know were blocked
Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and scented candles (though, hey, no judgment here!). Instead, it’s about creating the kind of internal conditions where creativity can thrive.
Let’s retire the idea that you should be running on empty to prove how much you care about your book, and that burnout is some kind of badge of honour.
It’s not.
Some of the most prolific, impactful authors in history had strict boundaries, long walks, regular rest, and non-writing hobbies.
When you take care of the artist first, the art itself can then happen.
Write More by Doing Less
If you’ve been running on fumes (creatively, emotionally, and physically) it might be time to hit reset, and consider attending the Ottawa Writers’ Retreat.
I’ve intentionally designed every part of this retreat experience with one goal in mind: sustainable creative success.
Yes, you’ll write.
Yes, you’ll get expert coaching and community support.
But you’ll also eat nourishing food, sleep deeply, walk in the woods, and breathe.
This is your time to:
· Step away from burnout culture
· Reconnect with your creative self
· Create without the constant pressure to produce
It’s not a week off from your goals; rather, it’s a week invested in making sure you can keep reaching them for the long term.
The retreat this summer won’t just help you write more. It will help you write smarter. Write sustainably. AND Write in a way that doesn’t cost you your health, your peace, or your love for the craft.
Here’s the details:
📅 July 23–27, 2025
📍 A peaceful location just outside Ottawa
🛏️ All-inclusive accommodations
🥗 Chef-prepared meals
🧘♀️ Quiet time, fresh air, fireside chats
✍️ Craft workshops + personalized coaching
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) might be the latest technological craze . . . but guess what? YOU aren’t a machine. You’re a human being. And when you treat yourself like one, the writing gets better.
👉 Click here to book a call with me to discuss your goals and whether the retreat is right for you.
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Kevin T. Johns is one of Canada’s top writing coaches. Join him and a small group of writers this July at The Ottawa Writers’ Retreat for five days of deep writing time, expert guidance, and creative camaraderie.
