I haven’t written anything in a while, and I’d
like to get back into a routine of writing and reading and doing something
other than playing catch-up with life.
And it’s hard. There’s no one looking over my
shoulder, no deadlines, no have to or
need to or I’ve got to get this done before…
I have no excuses – making the time to write
and read while catching up is hard for me. I’m terrible at multi-tasking. It’s
totally my fault that I fell off the wagon in the first place, but I’d like to practice
the discipline of writing and reading again.
I like having a schedule, meeting a deadline, working
towards a goal. When you’re playing catch-up, it’s less orderly, a constant
scramble. Schedules, deadlines, and personal goals have to find their place amid
all other responsibilities, as usual. It’s not a new story.
They fall down the list under household chores
and management, meals and shopping, driving. Oh, the driving. And it’s summer. There are days and weeks away from
home for vacation and camp, away from writing and reading, the work that I’m
missing, the work that used to occupy more of my time.
Life is busy for most people – I’m not special.
And I’m also not always great at doing what I think I should do. There are
other things that distract me from what I profess as important. Name one, any
one.
Just write, they say. Just sit down with a notebook
and a pencil and write. Form a new habit. Carve out some time to read. Fill
your brain with words. Don’t let the ordinariness of life eat
your inspiration.
I learn about prolific writers, their solitude,
a way of life that hovers the line between insanity and genius. I envy their
focus, but don’t wish for that level of eccentricity. My life is different than
that. I’m more common, more conservative, not enough of a free spirit. I wonder
if this is why I’m so distracted, that despite my love of solitude I’m not much
of a writer. More elements are needed for the perfect storm of writerly genius
and productivity than liking to be left alone.
Like time. And discipline. And focus. And ideas.
And a notebook and pen or computer or typewriter or something on which to
write.
Just write, they say.
Easier said than done.
*******
So much easier said than done. I'm yearning to write more little things on my blog instead of waiting for something big to write. I just can't find (make) the time between work and summer and our massive Game of Thrones binge.
ReplyDeleteI used to be able to write little things on my blog all the time. I wonder how I did that. I'm trying to get back to it, but man. It's hard.
DeleteYup.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying to trick my brain into believing I'm super disciplined but the truth is, I feel much more like this than that.
At least we're trying, does that count?
DeleteI can't love this enough. Just write? Is that like *just sleep when the baby is sleeping*?
ReplyDeleteOr "just don't eat all the french fries and/or potato chips?"
DeleteI don't get it. ;)
Thank you!