Carving Out Writing Time...with Other Moms

A reflection on the Portland mini-retreat

Why is it so hard to carve out time to write?

I’ll tell you why. Because we’re moms. Because we’re pulled in a million directions every single day. Because we’re the ones with the burden of the emotional labor. Because it feels like so much energy to even think about taking time for yourself.

The only time I take for myself to write on a regular basis is first thing in the morning before everyone in the house has woken up. Sometimes, though, the kid hears me get up and follows me downstairs. And if I try to write with him present, he has to sit as close to me as possible, elbowing me as he flips the pages of Dog Man or interrupting every two minutes to show me what sill thing Dog Man did.

Honestly, it’s some kind of miracle that I’ve been able to pump out essays and essays in that mode. Moms are miracle makers, though, and I’m not alone in making things happen despite being pulled in so many directions. I think this goes with out saying that this is not my ideal writing situation. It’s how I have to write if I want to get writing done. But on March 1st, I had the luxury of writing the way I want to write: for a full day, with uninterrupted time, food taken care of, and in the community of other writer-moms.

It. Was. Glorious.

It was our inaugural Scribente Maternum Portland Chapter Mini-Retreat and I was there with 25 other writers. Between our introductions, lunch, and our final wrap-up, it was just moms spread around the gorgeous VIDA Coworking space, clicking away at computers, scribbling notes in our notebooks, or looking out in the distance thinking. We dedicated the back area to the quiet crew who prefer utter silence for their writing. The front space we had calming, creativity-inducing music playing as we wrote together.

It was beautiful and restorative.

I hadn’t had that much dedicated time just to myself to write in months! I came away from the experience so much more whole than I went in.

In a time when the world feels like it’s falling apart, it was a day to remind me of the power in just being together with other people. It was a day where I truly felt the gift that is Scribente Maternum.

And I’m not the only one who felt it. This is what others had to say:

The mini-retreat allowed me to claim space and time to work on my project that is so hard to carve out in everyday life!

This was an incredible space for women supporting women. It got me unstuck in ways I didn't even realize I needed.

It's such a gift to have time to write and create in a supportive place with others.I feel so lucky to have gotten quiet, protected writing time at this retreat. A chance for community with other local writers was also such a gift.

A true space to push past your own barriers and offer yourself the gift of time and creativity.

It was a reminder that being together and writing is a gift. And I will soak up every second of it.

And guess what! Minneapolis/St. Paul writers—you have the opportunity to write in community on Saturday, April 5th! The Minneapolis/St. Paul chapter is hosting their inaugural mini-retreat and let this be your reminder that you deserve to carve this time and space out for yourself. We are here for you and so are all the moms who will be joining you.

These are the first of hopefully many mini-retreats around the U.S. Make sure to check out your regional chapter here (or start one if you don’t see your city listed here!). Stay tuned for more of these!