The Rant of an Overwhelmed 9–5 Writer.

The nine-to-five work-life isn't for me, and I know that for sure. My mother always says, "It will be nice to have colleagues, Toyin. You can link up with them after work and have fun." I do want colleagues, but I also want to write. Am I crazy for wanting to stay home and just write? Maybe to my mother and some others, I am. Anyone who knows me knows that writing is a huge part of my daily routine. There's really no day I don't write. It used to come so naturally; my mind buzzing with words, and my laptop always open to a new idea. However, things are different right now. I have a job, actually, several jobs, and it's no longer the same. I don't make as much writing progress as I used to. Balancing work, adulthood, and writing has been tough for me, I won't lie. For writers with a nine-to-five job, it's often exhausting to finish a hectic day and then try to pick up your laptop or notebook to write. When I didn't have a 9–5 job, I would often write for five hours straight. That was the perfect life for me- just me, my laptop, and the imaginary world I had created. I love being the creator and having so much control over my world. Now, it's not the same, sadly. Sometimes I wonder how I can grow my writing career while working a 9–5 job. Where's the time? Where's the energy? It seems almost impossible to balance.I'm the kind of writer who strictly writes in the morning. Why? Because then I have the time and energy to write down everything I've been thinking about all night. For five years, I maintained that habit, but now I don't have the inspiration to write.After work, I would always tell myself, "You have to write when you get home." But when I returned, I'd stare at my draft, hoping the words in my head would magically appear on the screen. I was zonked out, completely drained, and uninspired. Some days, I tried to push myself. "Suck it up, Toyin. Write the darn book." Even when I was overwhelmed, I'd keep repeating, "Your mates are writing, your friends have made it, do something." It was draining and, honestly, not healthy. That was when I realised I couldn't keep neglecting my projects. I had to take action. First, I had to be flexible. Before, I learned to write at any time of day, 9 am, 12 pm, or even 4 am. I had to accept that I'm no longer "teeny-tiny Toyin" with no responsibilities. I'm an adult now (and it sucks sometimes). I have a job, a social life, and a family. Balancing everything means being adaptable. I also realised that it's okay to take a break. Yes, I love writing, but I also love spending time with my friends. It's very important to breathe. Exercise, meditate, take walks, do whatever helps you recharge. Sure, you want to achieve your writing goals, but what good is it if it costs you your mental and physical health? Take a break. Nourish your body and mind. Realize that you're not a machine. Make a practical to-do list. Start small. Don't push yourself too hard. And avoid time-wasters. For me, that's Instagram. I can scroll for hours; stories, gossip, endless posts. So now, I swap the time I spend on Instagram for a little writing. Progress looks different for everyone. For some, it means writing ten pages a day. For me right now, progress means writing one sentence a day, and that's okay. Every word brings me closer to my masterpiece. I've also realised that writing isn't the only part of being a writer; rereading old drafts, marketing my books, and networking with fellow writers all count too. So here's my advice to my fellow writers: Calm down and take a deep breath. You're a writer. You create worlds, emotions, and stories that no one else can. Someone might have a similar storyline but not your voice, not your words, and definitely not your style. You're perfect, and you got this.

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