Enjoy Yourself

This works wonders for your stress.

Sometimes it feels like writing can be the most stressful thing in the world, especially if you're well-respected or working under a deadline. It can also be stressful if you're unpublished and hope someone out there likes your work. You can feel that you have to be the best and put too much pressure on yourself to succeed. You don't have to feel this way. Enjoy yourself. Here are some tips:

1. Listen to music. I do this while I write as well as when I'm just working out some kinks. My favorites are the Sondheim musical Assassins and Green Day. Who says that you can't have a little hardcore protest music to liven up your days?
2. Write something horrible. Yes, seriously. Delve into your most hated genre (historical romance for me) and try to make something good out of it. Even if you think that it's the worst thing ever, this will clear your head. Not to mention, if you think something else you write is horrible, you can remind yourself that it's not what you wrote then.
3. Read something horrible. This ties in with the previous one in that, if you think that whatever you write is horrible, you can always remind yourself that something worse out there got punished. I don't always recommend this if you're awaiting an agent or publisher's word, as if you get rejected this reminder can have the wrong effect.
4. Play some (non-frustrating) video game. Do something simple that you've already cracked, if possible. For example, I wouldn't jump right into The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword if I were trying not to get stressed, as I know that there's a Skulltula waiting to defeat me that I have found it impossible to crack. (For those wanting to post hints, no need. I've watched every tutorial video and still can't pull it off.)
5. Finally, start up a blog. It can be about anything you want: a continuing serial, book reviews, writing advice, or your daily life. Please don't make it about hating a specific person, and if you do don't blame it on me. I do not advocate this. You can make something faceless about how you hate vampires, but try to do something out of the ordinary. Comparing Barlow to Twilight original.