Why Distance Improves Your Draft

In a world that values speed and output, stepping away from your work can feel counterintuitive. But if there’s one editing habit every professional should embrace, it’s this: walk away, then come back.

Giving your writing space, whether it’s a proposal, a newsletter, or a blog post, does something almost magical. When we read our own words immediately after writing them, we’re too close to the thinking that created them. Everything feels right because it’s still fresh. But fresh doesn’t always mean clear.

Distance offers objectivity. It gives your brain a chance to reset so you can return with sharper eyes and a cooler head. What once felt clever may now seem cluttered. Sentences you thought were strong might read as stiff. Ideas you rushed to include might no longer belong at all.

This pause doesn’t need to be long. Even 20 minutes can help. A few hours is better. A full day? Ideal. When you come back, you’re not just rereading—you’re re-seeing.

And this doesn’t just apply to editing. Entrepreneurs, consultants, and creatives benefit from this principle in all kinds of decision-making. Sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take a step back.

So next time you’re stuck on a paragraph or doubting your draft, try this: close the document. Walk away. Get a cup of tea. Go for a walk. Then come back as if someone else wrote it—and give yourself the gift of a clearer perspective.

It’s not lost time. It’s where better work begins.

Contact: Kerry Philps

E-Mail: readingcorner@literary-escape.co.uk

Company: Literary Escape Editorial Services

Tags: #Editing Tips #Editing Matters #Clear Communication #Professional Writing #Accessible Writing #Business Writing #Kerry Philps