A friend of mine recently asked,
“Laura, you work full time, you practice meditation, you’re adopting a teen and becoming a new mom… when do you find time to write?”
My answer?
Five minutes a day.
That’s the simple goal I set for myself. Every day, I check my phone and see a reminder: write for at least five minutes.
It Started with Meditation
This idea didn’t begin with writing—it began with meditation.
I committed to meditating for just five minutes when I wake up and another five minutes before bed. That’s it. No pressure, no expectations beyond those small pockets of time.
But something interesting happened.
Five minutes slowly turned into ten. Then fifteen. Then twenty. Before I knew it, I was sometimes meditating for 45 minutes at a time.
Naturally, I decided to apply the same principle to my writing.
Why Five Minutes Works
Going into writing with the expectation of just five minutes removes pressure. It quiets the noise in my head and makes the process feel manageable—even on the busiest days.
And then something almost magical happens.
My mind clears. Inspiration strikes. Excitement builds.
What starts as five minutes often turns into thirty… or even two hours.
What About the Hard Days?
Of course, it doesn’t work perfectly every day.
There are mornings when I feel unwell or simply can’t focus. On those days, all I manage to do is reread what I wrote the day before.
But here’s the key:
If I spend five minutes doing that, I’ve still met my goal.
And that small win? It creates a sense of accomplishment that keeps the habit alive.
Flexibility Keeps the Habit Alive
Sometimes I need a break—especially after long hours of editing.
But I still honor my five minutes. I just shift how I use them.
That might mean:
- Working on a blog post
- Posting on social media
- Sketching characters or scenes
- Organizing my notes or story spreadsheets
As long as those five minutes are connected to writing, it counts.
Start Small, Stay Consistent
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s this:
Building a habit doesn’t have to be painful. It starts small.
Five minutes is enough. Enough to begin. Enough to grow. Enough to build momentum.
And it helps when your work has purpose—whether it’s to make someone laugh, ease their anxiety, or share something meaningful.
That’s always been my goal with my books:
to bring a little joy and pass along the wisdom that’s helped me in my own life.
A Little Progress Every Day
Right now, I’m working on the second book in the SEARI Red Foxes series. Today, I’m spending time with my girl—with just a few minutes carved out to write this blog.
Why?
Because I know those five minutes matter.
Because they keep my habit alive.
And because I hope these words inspire you to start your own.
My five minutes are up—and I can confidently say I’ve done something meaningful today.
Namaste.