Let me ask you something:
When was the last time you sat in stillness with no distractions, no notifications, and no guilt?
No multitasking. No doomscrolling. No background noise.
Just you, your thoughts, and a pen (or keyboard).
If your honest answer is “Uhhh… never?” then you’re not alone.
But you’re also missing out on one of the most powerful, proven tools for creative productivity: mindfulness.
In this article, we’ll explore what the research says about mindfulness and creativity, why so many great writers credit silence as a secret weapon, and how to access the kind of clarity your story’s been waiting for.
Why Writers Need Mindfulness (Not Just Deadlines)
We live in a world that treats busy as a badge of honor. The more tabs you have open, the more “productive” you’re supposed to feel.
But when you’re a writer, someone whose job it is to observe, reflect, and imagine, that frantic pace is the enemy of creativity.
Writing requires mental spaciousness, the kind of slow, curious awareness that allows ideas to emerge naturally rather than be yanked out by brute force. And that’s exactly what mindfulness provides.
According to research, mindfulness (defined as non-judgmental awareness of the present moment) can improve:
· Cognitive flexibility
· Working memory
· Emotional regulation
· Creative problem solving
As such, mindfulness isn’t just about stress relief. It’s a creative strategy.
“But Kevin, I Can’t Meditate. I Have a Squirrel Brain.”
Same.
The good news? Mindfulness doesn’t have to mean sitting cross-legged on a mountain for 90 minutes.
Mindfulness can be as simple as:
· Taking a slow, intentional walk through nature
· Journaling without judgment
· Drinking your coffee while just drinking your coffee
· Writing with all distractions turned off and no agenda beyond presence
What’s important is giving your mind space to breathe. Not to solve or achieve or output. Just… to be.
Because from that quiet place is where the good stuff bubbles up.
Filmmaker David Lynch wrote all about this in his great book Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity, and Cal Newport’s latest release also explores the benefits of what he calls “slow productivity”.
The Surprising Creative Power of Doing Less
Let’s talk about cortisol, aka the hormone that wakes you up in the morning (yaaaay!), or keeps you up in the evening when you are feeling stressed out (boooo!).
High cortisol levels are linked to decreased creative problem-solving, whereas mindfulness practices help lower cortisol and increase cognitive flexibility.
FYI – “cognitive flexibility” is just a fancy way of saying “thinking outside the box.”
Put simply: if you’re stressed out, your writing suffers.
But when you slow down and relax, your brain lights up.
Have you ever noticed how many of your breakthrough ideas happen in the shower, on a walk, or while staring out a window?
It’s because you’re not trying too hard. You’ve finally made room for your subconscious to step forward and do its magic.
Mindfulness Isn’t New Age ‘Woo’ . . . It’s Old School Writing Strategy
I know “mindfulness” can sound like something a yoga influencer says while selling essential oils.
But in the context of writing, it’s a game-changer:
· Mindfulness makes your writing more focused.
· Mindfulness makes your ideas more original.
· Mindfulness makes you more resilient when the process gets hard
Writing Retreats Are Mindfulness Magnets
A writing retreat is like a pressure valve for your nervous system. You step away from the noise and into a setting designed for stillness, focus, and reflection.
At my upcoming Ottawa Writers’ Retreat (July 23–27, 2025), for example, I’ve baked mindfulness right into the schedule. You’ll have quiet mornings to ease into your writing. You’ll walk in nature, mindfully eat chef-prepared meals, and engage in intentional conversations with fellow writers.
You’ll breathe.
And in that breathing, something beautiful happens:
- The story you’ve been forcing suddenly flows.
- The idea you couldn’t access shows up fully formed.
- You stop fighting the page and start listening to it.
At the Ottawa Writers’ Retreat, I’m giving you permission to slow down, to stop pushing, and to start trusting that a quiet mind is your best collaborator.
If your creativity feels stuck, stalled, or stretched too thin, maybe what you need isn’t more input, but more space.
📅 July 23–27, 2025
📍 Just outside Ottawa, surrounded by nature and stillness
👥 Only 10 writers (so you’re not overwhelmed)
🧘♂️ Quiet writing sessions, gentle guidance, and brain-space galore
You don’t have to hustle your way to creativity.
Sometimes the most productive thing you can do… is pause.
👉 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.
