{"id":30232,"date":"2026-01-27T03:00:06","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T11:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=30232"},"modified":"2026-01-23T07:39:44","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T15:39:44","slug":"habit-of-mind-flexibility-by-bailey-lang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2026\/01\/27\/habit-of-mind-flexibility-by-bailey-lang\/","title":{"rendered":"Habit of Mind: Flexibility by Bailey Lang"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Habit<\/a>Let’s welcome back Bailey Lang<\/a> as she shares with us \u201cHabit of Mind: Flexibility.\u201d Enjoy!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

As we\u2019ve been talking about throughout this article series<\/a>, there are eight habits of mind that writers can draw on to strengthen and grow their writing practices.<\/p>\n

Thinking like a writer<\/strong> — turning our attention to proactive, positive ways of building our creative practices — leads to finished books.<\/p>\n

The next habit on our list is flexibility.<\/p>\n

What is Flexibility?<\/h2>\n

A lot of writing advice preaches discipline.<\/p>\n

Consistency.<\/p>\n

Showing up at the same time<\/strong>, in the same way, day after day after day.<\/p>\n

The reality of building a successful writing life can be a lot more fluid than that!<\/p>\n

Flexibility beats rigidity every time.<\/p>\n

I love structure — but too much of it can lead to a writing practice that is so brittle it breaks into pieces the first time you encounter an obstacle.<\/p>\n

Flexibility is the cure.<\/p>\n

When it comes to our habits of mind<\/strong>, flexibility is a form of adaptability: responding gracefully and creatively when life throws one of its many, many curveballs.<\/p>\n

Flexibility is what keeps us from panicking when our carefully laid plans get disrupted.<\/p>\n

It enables us to keep our energy directed where we want it to go: toward our writing, rather than into self-criticism or frustration.<\/p>\n

How Do Writers Practice Flexibility?<\/h2>\n

Adopting flexibility as a habit of mind has huge benefits for writers.<\/p>\n

Flexibility helps you see<\/strong> new opportunities constantly: from fresh ideas to more effective ways to write.<\/p>\n

Flexibility is about how you respond to internal and external circumstances that might otherwise get in between you and your writing.<\/p>\n

Writers can apply the mental habit of flexibility to all three primary areas of building a writing life: mindset, practice, and craft.<\/p>\n

A flexible mindset is one that draws<\/strong> on two other key habits — openness and engagement — so we\u2019re always seeking alternative paths to reach the goal and cultivating a willingness to change our perspectives when we need to.<\/p>\n

A flexible practice is one that accounts for and accommodates the unpredictable demands of life.<\/p>\n

We can build a writing habit and<\/i> have a couple of backup plans in our pocket for when the unexpected happens.<\/p>\n

A flexible craft is one that is constantly seeking<\/strong> new writing techniques and opportunities so that when we sit down to write, we\u2019re confident in our ability to pick the right tool for the job.<\/p>\n

Focusing on your mental flexibility doesn\u2019t require a yoga mat — but you may have to stretch yourself!<\/p>\n

Here are some examples of how a writer might practice flexibility, starting with inner flexibility and moving to external examples.<\/p>\n