Sometimes, balancing writing and life is like a tightrope. And I had a really bad wobble for the past two or three weeks.
See... life can suppress my ability to write. Stress, worries, focusing on something that has to be done means that I can't concentrate on writing, editing etc.
On the other hand, having a really big productive streak can mean that I have troubles with getting anything else done. To me, it's so difficult to have to do something else when I really just want to get another few thousand words written.
At the moment, the wobble took the form of life. Things like getting the farm me and my family moved to into a solvent position. Or dealing with my publishing house. And being sick. None of those seem too overly big, but if they all happen together, they sufficiently drain my energy and concentration that I end up unable to actually get some writing done.
Why am I telling you this? Well, it's what's on my mind at the moment. Trying to get writing done while living a good life. I'm trying to remember that these wobbles are only wobbles. That as long as I keep walking that line, I'll get where I want to be.
But man, when I'm wobbling and everything feels like I'm about to hit the ground, being a writer becomes a lot less fun.
Anyone else feel like that sometimes? It doesn't have to be writing related.
I definitely can relate. This year there seems to be one thing after the other that is sapping my energy. I feel like I've not written anything since November. But life happens like that, and we must go with the flow and then find our way back to writing.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. And sometimes walking that fine line is impossible. The best I can manage is to crawl along it and hang on tight.
ReplyDeleteI hope your wobbles stabilize - soon.
You're not alone! I like the "wobble" way of looking at it. I'm an economist by day, and we always say two months doesn't make a trend -- you have to look at the long term pattern to understand where something is headed. It's a marathon, not a sprint, right? Thanks for this post. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in a constant state of wobble. After working a full time day job, I'm tired, and when I'm tired, I'm not the least bit creative. That's my biggest wobble. And then something always comes up that cuts into your free time. That's just life. Still, gotta keep moving forward and steal time whenever you can. I get stressed when I can't, LOL.
ReplyDeleteNope, not the only one overwhelmed and wobbled. Not by a long shot.
ReplyDeleteWe're a whole club of wobbly writers here. I can never seen to find the balance and I'm constantly falling down. It bruises more than the ego sometimes! We've just got to keep pushing onward.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. It is sometimes hard fitting quality writing time in. I can't write with too much stuff happening around me.
ReplyDeleteI have the same problem. When you're a writer, your always working..even when we're not writing we'll still be thinking up ideas. Stress blocks creativity. Usually I'm left with no choice, except to wait for things to calm down.
ReplyDeleteI have the same issue, Misha. I'm sure nearly all writers do. My life seems to be a constant wobble, and that can be pretty draining. Stress is the number one killer for creativity. Sometimes we have to take a break and admit we're only human. Other times we have push through it until we finally see some light.
ReplyDeleteI like the wobble description. I'm having a bit of that myself this week and I feel emotionally exhausted. Like you, I'm going to just keep wobbling along. Hope you feel better.
ReplyDeleteLife can definitely stop you in your tracks sometimes, and it's pretty difficult when it does so. Hang in there. Wishing you peace and less wobbling as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteMJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
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Wobbling on a tightrope is definitely a good metaphor for this. I think we all encounter a few wobbles now and then.
ReplyDeleteLove your A-Z theme!
ReplyDeleteYes, walking the line can be difficult. Real life has intruded on me more than usual in the past month or so, some good stuff, some bad. But it's great to be part of a supportive blogging community!