Over the last week or so, I had really gotten out of balance. Lots of distractions. Lots of drama. The end result was a seething anger that literally made me see red followed by an empty numbness. I won’t bore you with the details, but being this much out of balance really affected my writing and my progress, which made me even more stressed out.
But I found some simple solutions to help me:
- Sleeping late
- Doing meditation and prayer
- Spending time with friends and family
- Mastering the art of doing nothing
Some of these were easy, like taking a few “mental health days” from work and sleeping late. And being with friends and family — the people who love me unconditionally. Some were not so easy like meditation and prayer which was all about surrendering the things out of my control and learning acceptance. Probably the hardest one was mastering the art of doing nothing. But it was probably the one that gave me the best results. Doing nothing is hard for a Type A, goal-oriented person like me. But the joy of just “being” can do wonders for your psyche. Spending time in a lounge chair basking in the sun and watching clouds was the best therapy for me.
I’m now back in balance because I’ve put things in perspective. Got rid of my stressors (or have at least accepted them) and now I can come back to my writing as a balanced person.
As writers, it’s so easy to get caught up in the “progress” that we sometimes forget that if we come to our novel projects not being in balance that it’s our writing that ultimately suffers. An unbalanced writer will have unbalanced writing, distracted writing, or even writer’s block.
It’s okay to take a break and get back in balance. In fact, you must take a break to get back in balance.
A balanced writer is more productive in her work and in her life.
If you’re finding yourself out of balance, try some of the solutions that helped me. Be good to yourself and get back in balance.
Your novel will be better because of it.
Thank you. I needed to hear this today.
Oh the art of doing nothing. I have yet to master that without feeling guilty about it! You’re right, though, that sometimes we just need to recharge. I’m glad you’ve found that balance again!
This is so wise and true! Thanks!
I’ve been thinking about balance a lot lately, because mine is out of whack as well. All revising and no play makes Anne a grouchy writer! =)
I’m so glad you were able to figure out a way to get your balance back. It’s really hard for me to justify doing nothing, too, but so important!
Guess we are on the same page. Check out my blog today!!!
Sleep is the great balance restorer for me. And reading for pleasure. Nice post!
Nelsa: Glad that my post was something you needed.
Anna: You know how hard it was for me book twin to do nothing, ha. But I did it and the end result was less stressed and relaxed person. I’m going to try and incorporate the art of doing nothing more in my routine.
Anne: Yes I was a grouchy mess, ha. Sometimes we think if we can get work *harder* and/or *faster* that it will fix our problems when actually the opposite is true. We need to slow down and just be to get back in balance and realize that we can’t move forward until we do.
Jeannine: I just read your blog post and I’m SO glad that you spent a glorious weekend. The weather was perfect. I hope that you can incorporate this into your schedule at least once a season. That place sounds beautiful.
Vicky: I think I was also sleep-deprived. I’m going to really try and make sleep a higher priority. And you MUST fill me in on all the details of the Decatur book festival. It sounded so fun.
Oh, amen to this! Yes, it’s not easy to sit and do nothing, but you’re so right, sometimes that’s the very best thing to do. I usually think of all the things I should be doing, which isn’t healthy!
I enjoyed your post as usual.
But I did wonder . . .
If you are angry about something going on in your life and chose that moment to write an angry scene for your novel, do you think it would add authenticity? Just wondering.
Karen, it’s so true that sometimes we need to just relax and do nothing. Why is that so hard? And sleep – I never get enough of that! I feel a little out of balance too, as my family tries to establish new/old routines with school starting again.
Julie: Believe me, mastering the art of doing nothing is hard but really worth it. It took about an hour for my mind to stop spinning with thoughts of all the things I needed to be doing, ha.
Gwen: I’m glad you liked the post. It’s funny you mentioned writing an angry scene because I did write the intense scene with my character and her father last week when I was so livid. Not sure how authentic it is though. Honestly, being so angry and emotional was more distracting than anything. It was really hard to focus. But we’ll see.
Andrea: Seriously, why is doing nothing so hard? I think we just put so much on our plate and then feel guilty when we don’t do accomplish it all. I hope that you get some balance — this time of year with kids going back to school starts a whole new routine and so you have to get used to the changes. Good luck!