Well, it’s taken me seven months to find my way back to this blog. It’s hard to believe I didn’t sneak in at least one teensy little update. But in that time, I learned to surrender to the flow of life and loosen my grip on my expectations. But seriously, seven months??
It sounds like a long time, but as I reflect back, a lot has happened. And, as I’m still discovering, there’s only so much time in a day. I have to remind myself to enjoy the writing process. Each day plays out a little differently, reminding me to be resilient and open-minded. I try not to add any pressure to the mix. I’m also still on the move, writing wherever I happen to call home at any given moment. I’m learning to make peace with the instability.
My writing practices have been less than typical. At least, according to my knowledge of how other writers map out their day. I knew starting out that I should probably find a writing community, but when I searched online for local groups, I didn’t get the right vibe. I knew I should try to write early in the morning before the day’s distractions became an issue, but even though I was awake, it felt like my creativity was still sleeping. And certainly, I knew I should try to write a minimum amount of words each day. Sometimes I hit the mark. Lots of times, I didn’t.
So, I decided to just do my best. And that’s really what’s felt right for me. Making my writing a priority was the most important decision. I consider it my job; the thing I commit to everyday. But around that, I make sure I exercise, cook healthy meals for myself and make time for friends and family. And when life gets in the way to the point where I know I won’t be able to write at all in a day, I give in to it. I don’t guilt myself out for taking the entire day. That was a big one for me; recognizing it’s okay to walk away. The brain needs a little re-set, and a day away from my memoir now and then actually does me good.
I’ve been writing since February 1st of last year, 2019, and my memoir is currently at 70,000+ words! I’m feeling a little like I need to give birth, but I know I’m almost there. It’s been an amazing journey, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Now, it’s time for the next chapter. I’m off to put the coffee on…
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