I’ve had a very stressful month, and all my writing plans went out the window as life turned to custard. I’d barely got myself back into a writing schedule and begun to have a few days a week with a decent word count when life reared its ugly head. On the bright side the jersey I’m knitting for my daughter is nearly finished. I got a LOT of knitting down while sitting by my mother’s bedside in the hospital.
After three very busy weeks filled with worry and stress, things are finally slowly getting back to what passes for normal. However, as life settles down, I now need to start working through the very long list to do list that I needed to shove to one side while I prioritised life and family.
A friend reminded me that life gets in the way of even the most dedicated writers, and although mentally I knew that, it was still something I needed to hear. It’s all too easy to guilt myself about everything I want to do that is piling up around me, and lose sight of the things I’m still achieving.
I have an overseas friend coming to stay for a couple of weeks next week, so I’m looking forward to some down time to recharge my batteries and start afresh mid July. In the meantime I’m trying to follow the advice I tend to give others—and not take myself—which to break the big to-do list down to manageable chunks, even if it’s just a ‘I can achieve this today’ list, and the rest will have to wait for another day. In our NZ Rainbow Romance Writers Facebook group we post weekly goals, and check back on the previous week’s as part of the process. I find this very helpful and I’m often surprised as to how far I did get the previous week. The trick is to set achievable goals: that is, what I think I can achieve, rather than what I want to achieve.
As part of last month’s chaos I didn’t get as far as choosing winners from last month’s post. I’m really sorry about the delay. As you read this, I’ve replied to those comments, chosen the winner, and emailed her.
Next month will be a better one, right?
If you have advice and tips as to how you get through life’s hurdle I’d love to hear from you!
[…] June’s post at Love Bytes Reviews reflects my life this month and is called Rolling With Life’s Punches. You can read it here. […]
It seems like the past few months have consisted of one tragedy after another, so my life is even more out of control than usual. I have given myself permission to be behind in everything and liken it to a mouse nibbling at cheese…I focus on one small aspect of a project at a time and consider it a victory when I get that done. And, of course, I read a LOT of romances to enjoy someone else’s happy endings (0;
Take care of yourself. I hope your life continues to improve.
Thank you 🙂 I love the imagery of a mouse nibbling at cheese. I find reading about someone else’s happy endings helps get me through too.
Take care of yourself too.
A lovely post, which I’m sure will resonate with many readers!
Thanks, Gillian, and again for your support through the past few weeks especially.
Hang in there Anne. As you said, this month will be better. Have a lovely visit with your friend. <3
Thanks, Andrew <3