You’ve heard this advice before, I’m sure, or variations of it. “Dress for the job you want,” people say. Then there’s its cousin, “Dress like you’re going to work every day, even if you have to stay home.”
This advice is based on the idea that stepping into something other than pajamas or other comfy wear tells the brain, “We’re switching modes. Okay, time to get to work now.” And I’ve tried this out, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised—it really does work, to a degree.
But this is me we’re talking about, right? Of course I’m going to take it to the next level because that’s who I am. And that’s also what I need—sometimes I wind up doing things I hadn’t set out to do in my professional wear, but that needed to be done anyway. So how can I (and you) tailor (ha!) this advice to our writing journeys, which may or may not differ from our jobs?
Enter the Writing Uniform
Did you read that heading? Okay, now throw away whatever your definition of uniform is because that’s almost certainly not what I meant. I don’t mean to imply you should dig up a blazer or button-down shirts. Goodness knows I avoid ironing whenever possible, anyway. Mostly because I don’t own an iron.
Let’s define writing uniform as something you wear while you write. Not a full outfit, but pieces of outfits that feel writery to us in the same way as a typewriter and a mug of something hot. Wear whatever clothes suit your mood, but wear this/these other thing(s) to tell your brain you’re working on your writing.
Did you catch that I used the plural form there? That’s because I don’t just mean one single piece. Writing uniforms can be established for every one of your author personas and for every stage of the writing process.
Give Us Examples Already, Megan
Okay, okay! I hear you! These are examples of writing uniforms I’ve established in my real life. I’ve found that putting on these items helps me focus on the work at hand.
1. Pairs of Glasses
“Way to start out with the most expensive possible thing, Megan,” you say. And it’s true that I am referring to my actual prescription glasses. I have two pairs: a lovely black pair that have sapphire and veins of gold on the temples that remind me of my author brand color palette, and another purple pair that evoke the palette of my pen name, Emma Fontaine.
(Funny story—I only bought two pairs because they were on sale, and I only realized they matched my author personas after I decided to purchase them! Talk about fate guiding the hand!)
But this doesn’t mean you have to buy a new pair of glasses or, uh, damage your eyeballs sufficiently so that you require glasses. Just about everyone could benefit from blue light glasses now, which are designed to negate the effects of spending so much time staring at a screen. Or, if you just love the aesthetic of glasses, buy or make a pair of lensless or “fake” glasses.
There’s something about glasses that, for me, really gives off literary vibes. If you feel the same way, pick up a pair!
2. Themed or Symbolic Accessories
Most of the pieces of jewelry I own now have symbolic significance. That’s just who I am as a person—I love things that have layers upon layers of meaning. For example, my heroine in my forthcoming novella In Charleston With You loves gardening, so I’ve been wearing two-tone rose earrings. And while I was writing Sense & Sensitivity under my fairytale-oriented pen name, I wore a necklace with a little book pendant. “Once Upon a Time…” was stamped on the tiny cover. I also have too-many-to-count generic writing-related pieces of jewelry—open-book earrings, quotation mark studs, et cetera.
You can choose to designate one item—a hat, a cardigan, a scarf, a bracelet, a ring, a face mask, a scrunchie, a thread tied around your big toe—for each project, or have a single item for all of your projects. Whichever you choose, this is an excellent opportunity to patron small businesses during a time when many are struggling. Consider finding the piece on Etsy or another marketplace for creators.
3. Special Earbuds or Ear Plugs
Ear plugs are probably a no-brainer—especially if you’re surrounded by noise twenty-four/seven. But what about earbuds? Generally speaking, you can pick up a pair of earbuds/headphones almost anywhere now—from Target’s Bullseye’s Playground, Dollar Tree, and other places.
As long as you’re not bothered by less-than-excellent audio quality, this is another excellent option for a writing uniform. Pick out a pair in a color that matches your author brand color palette (more about this coming soon on the blog—keep your eyes peeled in 2021!) or decorate a plain pair with washi tape, and voila!
This option is especially effective when paired with a soundscape specific to your project. Try it for yourself!
Do you have a writing uniform?
If you do, I’d love to hear about it in the comments! Where’d you find it? Do you find that it helps you especially, or is it more for fun?
And if you don’t have one yet, did this post convince you to try one out?
