Everything in life is a balancing act. We need to balance so many things as humans. Work, Writing {if you’re lucky, it’s the same, for me, it’s not yet.}, pets, kids, spouses, exercise, personal hygiene, cleaning and relaxing are a lot to fit in. Sometimes I find myself more often thinking about writing than actually writing. Many times, I daydream at work. Such as today, my brain refused to focus on work and would only think about writing.
The mood just takes over me at the worst possible moments and it’s a struggle to do what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s as if I have a split personality and I guess, in many ways, I do. I wonder what I’m doing at work when at my core, I know I want to be writing, but…as the saying goes…baby needs new shoes.
I’m working on organizing my time better now between all of those things. I always used to think I was organized, but honestly I’m more like this:
Here are some things that seem to be working for me:
1. Set some time aside for writing; whether it be 10 min, an hour or 10 hours a day, do it. You’ll feel better.
2. Make an outline. I’ve never been one for an outline, but as I get further into a novel, I sometimes get lost. Having things planned, at lease loosely, ahead of time would help.
3. Give yourself a break if you don’t get things done, just not too many breaks. Set ambitious, but still realistic, guidelines.
4. Sit outside and write. Fall is here. It’s beautiful. Write a bit and then play outside. Don’t miss it.
5. Play with your kids, pets, family.
6. Workout, get enough sleep, take care of your body. Again, you’ll feel better. You can’t feel good writing if you don’t take care of yourself.
Remember, if writing isn’t your day job {even if it is, there are always other things you want to be writing}, you are still a writer. Don’t let your day job determine who you are. You are more than that. You will always be a writer.
Good post and sound advice. I find that keeping all the plates in the air at the same time is fine until one plate encounters a problem then it is difficult.
Um…clearly we feed off each other or there's something in the air around here, because I am EXACTLY at this same point. 😉
Right there with you. At my worst I find myself writing in an email – at work – that I send to myself to copy and paste into whatever piece I'm working on when I get home. Probably not the best idea.
I remember back in my twenties I would feel the birth pains of a poem and have to ask my employer for time off in order to “have the poem.” The second time this happened I was usually fired from that job. After four such occurrences I realized I needed to be self employed. For the last 30 years I've been self employed as a movie critic, advice columnist, tutor, resume writer and art coach. I will never have a pension but I've had the freedom to give birth to a poem, story or piece of art whenever necessary.
Thanks. Yeah, it's hard sometimes to keep everything going and I can only imagine it will get harder when I have kids so I'm going to try to do what I can now! 🙂
We do seem to have the same thoughts on writing really close together 🙂
I don't write on the work computer like that, but I do write a few sentences once in a while in a notebook. I always have to have a notebook with me! Inspiration is unpredictable!
At least you're making sure to get it down!
That's awesome that you were able to do that! I find myself torn at work sometimes. Maybe some day I can find a way to write all day instead.