Out of all the challenges I’ve faced on my writing journey—self-doubt, imposter syndrome, lack of direction—there’s one complaint I’ve never been able to relate to: “I don’t have enough time to write.”
Don’t get me wrong, I understand why people say it. Life is full. Between jobs, parenting, relationships, responsibilities, and everyday distractions, time can feel like a rare luxury. But for me, writing has never been about having time. It’s always been about making space.
Writing in the Margins
I’ve written at odd hours and in strange places. I’ve scribbled notes on receipts, drafted scenes in the car, and outlined chapters in my head while doing dishes. Writing has always been part of my life, not something I do only when everything else is done. I’ve learned to write in the margins of my life—those little moments people often overlook.
Late at night, when the house is quiet and everyone else is asleep, I write. Early in the morning, before the world wakes up and the demands of the day rush in, I write. If an idea pops into my head while I’m cooking or folding laundry, I pause, pull out my phone or a notebook, and write it down.
Writing doesn’t wait for convenience. It shows up when it wants. And I’ve learned to meet it there—wherever and whenever that may be.
When My Son Was Little
Some of my most productive writing seasons happened when my son was young and enrolled in taekwondo. Twice a week, I’d drive him to practice, sit in the waiting area, and pull out my phone. While other parents scrolled social media or chatted, I opened Google Docs.
I wrote in 5- to 10-minute chunks. Sometimes it was a paragraph. Other times, a full scene. But those short, focused bursts added up. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t quiet. But it was time I made work for me.
Of course, I had to be mindful. When it was my son’s turn on the mat, I’d watch him. But in those moments he was waiting or warming up—I was writing.
My Lifelong Best Friend: Google Docs
If I had to name one tool that kept my writing life afloat during the busiest years, it’s Google Docs. Accessible from anywhere, synced across all my devices, and always ready when inspiration strikes—Google Docs was like a second brain.
I could start a blog post while waiting in line, jot down dialogue on a walk, or revise a chapter during lunch breaks. No more excuses about not having my laptop. If I had my phone, I could write.
This kind of flexibility allowed me to keep writing when life was hectic. It removed the friction between the idea and the page. And sometimes, that’s the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.
Writing Is a Priority, Not a Perk
I never treated writing like something I’d get around to once everything else was done. It wasn’t a hobby I squeezed in for fun. Writing was (and still is) a priority. Just like brushing my teeth, feeding my family, or checking in with friends, writing had a place in my day.
That mindset shift made a big difference. It’s easy to say we don’t have time, but often, we do—we’re just not permitting ourselves to use it for writing. We think we need long stretches of uninterrupted time, a quiet space, or the perfect setup. But most of the time, we don’t. We just need to start where we are, with what we have.
If Time Feels Tight…
If you’re someone who says, “I don’t have time to write,” I want to gently challenge that belief. Maybe you don’t have hours. Maybe you’re juggling more than most. But is there 10 minutes you could claim as yours?
Could you write a few lines before bed? Could you speak an idea into your notes app while walking? Could you brainstorm during your commute or lunch break?
Writing doesn’t demand perfection. It asks for presence. And a little presence, over time, goes a long way.
Make Room for the Words
At the end of the day, writing isn’t about having the time. It’s about making room for the words to come. Some days, it’ll be a flood. Other days, a trickle. But if you stay open and keep showing up, the words will find you.
And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll look back and realize you wrote a book in the margins of your life—five minutes at a time.
