Writing While Working Full-Time: How I Make It Work

Writing is my passion, my first love. I wish it paid the bills, but for now, I have to balance it with the reality of being a full-time elementary school teacher. Some days, that balance feels impossible. Between keeping up with lessons, changing things on the fly, making copies (so many copies), grading work, and taking time for myself, it often feels like there’s no time left for creative work. But writing isn’t something I choose to do—it’s something I need to do.

So, I make it work.

It’s not always pretty. It’s not always consistent. But somehow, between the chaos of my job and the exhaustion that comes with it, I find time to write. This is how I do it—and how you can, too, if you’re trying to balance writing with a full-time job.

The Reality of Working Full-Time and Writing

Before I get into strategies and routines, I want to be honest about what it means to be a writer with a full-time job. It’s exhausting. The idea of a perfect writing schedule—waking up early to write before work, or coming home and immediately diving into a creative flow—is, for me, a fantasy. My job takes up so much of my energy that by the time I sit down to write, my brain is often too fried to function.

And yet, I write.

The key to writing while working full-time isn’t about finding more hours in the day—it’s about making the most of the hours I do have.

1. Letting Go of the Myth of the Perfect Writing Routine

For a long time, I thought I had to write every day to be a real writer. I believed I needed a structured schedule: wake up early, write before work, hit a specific word count. But that kind of routine just doesn’t fit with my life.

Instead of forcing myself into a rigid schedule, I embrace the reality of my situation. I write when I can—sometimes in short bursts between responsibilities, sometimes in long, late-night sessions when my brain finally has room to breathe.

And you know what? That’s okay.

A writing process doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective. What matters isn’t when I write—it’s that I do write.

2. Finding Small Moments to Write

When you work full-time, long stretches of uninterrupted writing time are rare. But writing doesn’t have to happen in big, dramatic sessions—it can happen in stolen moments throughout the day.

Here are some ways I sneak in writing:

• During lunch breaks – If I have a quiet moment at work, I jot down notes in my planner or type a few sentences on my phone.

• In transit – If I’m not driving or I'm waiting in line somewhere, I use that time to brainstorm ideas or flesh out a scene.

• Voice memos – If I have a sudden burst of inspiration but can’t stop to write, I record a quick voice memo to capture the idea.

• Before bed – Even if I’m exhausted, I try to write a sentence or two before I go to sleep. Sometimes, that sentence turns into a paragraph. Sometimes, it turns into a full scene.

  
  

The key is to use the time I do have instead of wishing for more time. Sometimes I succeed in this endeavor. Other days, I lament that there are only twenty-four hours in a day and wish I could give up my day job and pursue writing full-time. I'll get back to you when that happens.

3. Writing at Night (Even When I’m Exhausted)

For me, the best time to write is late at night. After a long day of teaching, I finally have the mental space to focus on my own words. It’s quiet, there are no distractions, and I can fully immerse myself in my story.

The downside? I’m usually exhausted.

There are nights when I have every intention of writing, but my body says nope. And that’s okay. Writing while working full-time means being flexible. Some nights, I write for hours. Other nights, I go to bed early and try again the next day.

What matters is that I keep coming back to the page.

4. Accepting That Progress Looks Different for Me

When I see other writers posting about their 3,000-word writing sprints or their perfectly structured routines, it’s easy to feel like I’m not doing enough. But comparing my process to someone else’s is pointless.

Progress isn’t just about word count—it’s also about the quality of the words, the growth of the story, and the joy of creating. Some nights, I write until my fingers hurt from curling over the keyboard. Other nights, I scribble down ideas that don’t make it into the final draft but still push my story forward.

Every bit of progress matters.

5. Using Weekends and Breaks Wisely

Since my weekdays are so packed, I use weekends and school breaks to get bigger chunks of writing done. When I have time off, I try to:

• Write in longer sessions – If I have a free afternoon, I dedicate a few hours to writing without distractions.

• Outline and plan – I use slower days to brainstorm and structure my story so that when I do get writing time, I can dive in more easily.

• Refill my creative well – Reading, watching movies, playing D&D, and taking walks all help keep my creativity flowing.

  
  

I don’t beat myself up if I can’t write a lot during the workweek. Instead, I make the most of the time I do have.

6. Managing My Mental Health

Balancing writing and a full-time job is hard enough—but doing it while managing bipolar 2 and ADHD adds another layer of difficulty. Some days, I don’t have the energy to do anything creative. And that’s okay. I remind myself that I’m not a machine. Rest is just as important as productivity. If I push myself too hard, I burn out—and then I can’t write or do my job.

So, I give myself permission to take breaks. I celebrate the small wins. I remind myself that even on the days I don’t write, I’m still a writer.

7. Writing Because I Love It

At the end of the day, I don’t write because I have to. I write because I love it.

Even when it’s hard to find time, even when I’m exhausted, even when balancing writing with work feels impossible—I keep writing. Because telling stories is part of who I am.

If you’re balancing writing with a full-time job, know this: you’re not alone. Your process doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You don’t have to write every day. You don’t have to hit a certain word count.

What matters is that you keep going.

Final Thoughts: You Can Make It Work

Balancing writing with a full-time job is challenging, but it’s not impossible. It requires flexibility, patience, and a willingness to let go of perfection. Some days, writing will feel easy. Other days, it will feel like the last thing you have energy for. But if writing is something you love, you’ll find a way to make it work.

Whether you write in the early mornings, on your lunch break, late at night, or in tiny stolen moments throughout the day—your words matter. Your stories matter.

So keep writing. Keep creating. And know that no matter how chaotic life gets, your words will always be there, waiting for you.

Until next time,

Oregon J. Sinclair