Relax! I Hear It’s Good for You
I’ve spent the last week doing something pretty rare for me. Since I started the website, the blog, committed to finishing literary projects, and worked to come to terms with the necessary evil called the “day job,” I don’t get a lot of down time.
This week, I did. And of course, I feel guilty. But there’s a lesson in this for writers. It is simply this. Life will become unbalanced if you let it. We are so busy doing, accomplishing, writing our words, that it is easy to forget the other essential of creativity…time to ponder, relax, do nothing…or at least nothing of note.
Something like nine books were devoured this past week, along with numerous short stories and other tidbits. There’s a sense of being filled up, and also of letting go. Whenever the guilt tried to creep in after day job hours, there was something to catch my attention and pull me in…a good story, a good song, a good video.
I’m rather ashamed that it took effort to relax and let myself wind down. Too many years of going, I suppose. I can’t say the week caused miracles or spectacular prose, but it helped to let some of the dross swirl away, let me live in the moment instead of in my goal sheet, pushing myself for words, plot, or character.
Refreshed? A little. Less wound tight? Yes. I could have slept more, I could have left work earlier, but it was a good week. And I have a confession to make. I set myself up for it in an underhanded way. By posting what I did last week, I knew there would be two choices. I could sit at the computer full of angst or anguish, fretting over no comments or unkind comments. I could step away from the computer and remind myself that I am okay. Whatever others think of my internal creative process, my story starts, how characters approach me, or the sad bits that come out, I am okay. I can separate myself from my work.
I consciously chose the second path. I read, played with the cat, spent time with Hubby, scribbled now and again, and refused to check my email for comments more than once per day.
Were the results worth it? Creatively, yes. Absolutely. I’m far behind now on a lot of things that demand my attention for the next few days, and I do regret that. But for the quality of the words in the last two days, the filling up of the language I like to read and produce, I have to say it was worth it.
I listen (read) often to what J C Hart feels about her life and her goals, how she always feels the pressure, but is also aware that time with little ones passes so quickly, and I see myself. She is my friend, and we are similar in as many ways as we are different. I tell her all the time to slow down and relax, but don’t practice what I preach. Hmmm.
Time to slow down a bit, take one evening a week off, and live a little. Reaching my goals won’t mean as much if I don’t, I think. I’m done pushing myself past my limits. I work much better, and produce better words, when I don’t. Since the writing defines much of my life, I’ll work a little more to protect it, but also give myself time off from it on occasion.
How do you relax from the real or imagined pressures of blogs, articles, and word production? Do you schedule breaks or just let them happen? Do you come back from these times more eager to work or more willing to relax…or both?
I usually take a week off from blogging if I’m feeling really overwhelmed. This lets me feel like I don’t have to post or comment or read blogs.
I do come back from those times eager and excited and creatively refreshed.
It’s important for me to THINK as much about my writing as I spend actually writing. Usually more thinking is involved than actual writing. This fits into my “relax” schedule. You know, lying on the couch being lazy… I’m really thinking about all those characters and plots.
great post!
That you were somewhere other than the computer was obvious. =)
Good for you for taking some time for yourself! Next time let me know, please.
I’m glad you did this on your own. I’m recovering from surgery in order to have some downtime. Sheesh. Pathetic.
I disagree with the previous comment: “Next time let me know, please.” Don’t. Just do it. You don’t need permission or to send out notices. Just DO it!
I’m glad you took some time out
I’ve been feeling no guilt about doing it myself these days! lol It’s great to have goals and dreams, but in order to keep working towards those we need to have some balance, energy, time to refill.
but I know it’ll come in time.
I’ve learned that if I let go of the self inflicted pressure I get to enjoy all the parts of my life.
Which isn’t to say that I still wouldn’t like more time to write
You deserve timeout too, I’m so glad you took some! And without having to fall sick or break something and have it forced on you
tell your hubby you need some cake!
as for relaxation… I started in little bits pulling away, and while it’s difficult, it’s also very beneficial…
last year I took the entire month of August off, and it was… hard! don’t know if I will do that again, but right now all I’m going is writing, no editing, no plotting (although I REALLY need to do some…)
I think it comes down to where one’s conscious mind is going. is this one’s ‘work’? then, should it be a 9 to 5 sort of thing?
so many questions, and the best answer is what fits your life best, and makes you happiest within the home situation….
ramble ramble ramble…
@Lady G No one understands so well as another writer. I’m used to the creative cycle/fallow periods. Just overworked I guess, lol.
@ Okay, Mom (she’s my mom and worries when I’m not on line).
@JoniB I hope you are recovering quickly and without discomfort. I’ll be praying.
@Cassie (JC Hart) If you can take a break, I can. I give us permission! (or rather, you can give me permission lol).
@Anna It’s my life and conflicts so horribly with the day job (12 hour days, calls at all hours, etc), but since one is a necessity and the other is only as important as breathing…well. Gotta do something, just praying for the answer to “what.”