When we think about editing, we think about watching footage, making cuts, and crafting a narrative. What we don’t think about is our body. But editing takes a toll—on our muscles, our eyes, and our brain. It’s not a critique; it’s just the truth.
I’ve caught myself hunched over my computer, nose inches from the screen, like some kind of editing gremlin. When I’m in the flow, hours slip by, my eyeballs burn, I haven’t had a sip of water, and my spine is now the shape of a shrimp.
To be successful in editing, you have to take breaks—both on a micro and macro level. Work sprints are a great way to make that happen. Personally, I like a longer sprint (look at me, already trying to weasel out of my own advice). Ninety minutes is my sweet spot, followed by a 15-minute break to stretch and hydrate. And when I say break, I mean actually walk away from your workstation. Getting literal space from a project helps you come back with a clearer head and a fresher perspective. More often than not, the answer to a problem will hit me while I guzzle a glass of water and dissociate out my window.Â
And yes, healthy, spaced out dissociation is part of the process.
If you walk away from your edit only to immediately start scrolling social media or texting a friend, your brain doesn’t get the distance or the mini-reset that it needs. Instead, drink some water, take a big stretch, and lie on the floor for a few minutes—bonus points if you do it outside.
If shorter sprints work better for you, try 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off. The key is finding what keeps you working without turning into an editing goblin.