My name is Karen and I’m currently stressed out. :(
Most of you already know that I work in software development and that sometimes it can get a little crazy. I mean, it’s been really deep red crimson CRAZY in the last two weeks. I’m currently working on a FBI project that tracks sex offenders — scary and a little disturbing — but it’ll help keep these losers away from children. Plus I’m also working on a few other software government projects as well. Can you say “multi-task?”
This doesn’t bear good news for me on the writing track. The writing has fallen by the wayside. I’m not as far as I would like to be getting my novel ready for submission. :(
Right now, my Hawaii and Dream Spaces “vision” boards have been helping me relax. Thanks so much to the fabulous Ghenet for telling me about Pinterest. And in exactly three months, I’ll be in Hawaii with the lovely Heather for our writing retreat so that’s something to look forward to as well.
Other things that have been helping me out: Reading good books and sleeping. I’m so PROUD that I’ve been getting my 8 hours of sleep. And I’ve been reading some good books — they always make me feel better — look for some awesome Novel Wisdom posts coming soon. :)
But I miss my writing. I hope to get back to it soon.
Writer friends, how do you deal when your stress is a mess and you can’t get to your novel project(s)?
My Stress is a Mess
February 29, 2012 Read Comments
Sorry you’ve been stressed. Sometimes writing has to go by the wayside for work and/or family – that’s life! Just think about that writing retreat in Hawaii – so cool!
Just the thought of Hawaii gets me through some tough work moments. :)
I’m sorry you’ve been so stressed, Karen! Keep thinking about beautiful, tranquil Hawaii. You’ll be there before you know it!
Exercising, reading a favorite childhood book (or Calvin & Hobbes comics!), and coloring help me relax and destress. And you can’t go wrong with chocolate!
James Scott Bell does something called the Nifty 350 where he writes 350 words of his current manuscript first thing when he gets up in the morning. You could try that! Or perhaps 350 words right before you go to bed. It’ll be something added to your novel until this overwhelming phase at work is through.
Hope everything calms down for you soon and you can get back to your writing!
Chocolate! Yes, how could I forget about that lovely stress-reliever. :) Thanks so much for the tip from James Scott Bell — love his craft books.
iOh, so sorry to hear things have been so stressful lately! I find my best stress-buster is to make a list of everything that needs to get done, and celebrate each crossout on the list. It makes me FEEL like I have everything under control, even when it’s all spiraling madly. But perhaps that’s just me. ;)
Anyway, how exciting that you have Hawaii and plenty of writing time to look forward to. Aim for that! And take care of yourself in the meantime.
We might be logical twins because I do the same thing. :) However, if you saw my list you would probably go a little batty. Things are being crossed off though.
This is why I’m very proud that I’m getting my sleep. I could take some of those hours to write but I’ve decided to have that trade-off for sleep.
Sorry you’ve been so stressed! That sounds like a lot to handle. But Hawaii seems like a perfect motivator to just get everything done. I am insanely, infinitely jealous. What an awesome spot for a retreat!
And yes, Pinterest is awesome, isn’t it? Off to follow you now… ;)
Oooh, you’re on Pinterest too? I’ll have to go check out what lovely images you have on your boards. I’ll follow you too. :)
Oh, it’s sooo frustrating when a writer is separated from her (or his) writing, but it happens. If I were you, I would focus on the incredible good that you are doing working on that FBI project (wow, by the way–amazing). And, soon you’ll be in Hawaii catching up on your writing. That sounds wonderful times ten! In the meanwhile, your subconscious can focus on your work in progress. Good luck and hang in there!
Seriously, this is a great thing we’re doing at work. I just try and think of the children we might be able to save in the future with this new software. We already have found abducted children with our other software — so yes, that good we’re doing helps when it’s really crazy.
There is at least one benefit from not being able to write for a while: when you do get that chance again, you’ll probably be full of ideas and enthusiasm for writing. [At least, that's what I keep telling myself, since I'm overloaded with non-writing work too, and wishing I had more time to write.]
But your trip to Hawaii sounds like something to look forward to that will get you through all the stress!
I know that you can get over-loaded with your day job too. So you totally understand. I like your way of thinking too. I’ll definitely have some distance and may be even able to catch some things I wouldn’t have if I were still working on the novel.
OMG I’m so jealous that you are going to a writing retreat in Hawaii! I’d love to visit at some point. I’m glad you’re enjoying Pinterest. :)
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been stressed at work. That’s amazing that your work is going to be helping people. I hope it calms down soon so you can spend more time on your book.
I’m so ready to be in Hawaii like today. Ha. Sometimes at night, I go on Pinterest before I go to bed and look at all the lovely beach pictures. It totally calms me down.
Hopefully, things will slow down in a couple more months. Summer is usually our “slower” season with software releases.
Wow, sounds like a hectic time. Stress is not fun. But hopefully it’s just a “season” for you, and things will get better. Hawaii sounds like the perfect antidote! Oh, and sleep :-) As for writing during stressful times, though I might not make much progress, I do try to write a few words a day–even if it’s just a word association list. I have a couple of notebooks filled with those! But it seems to keep the creative side of the brain functioning when all else fails…
I’ve been really *loving* my sleep. And yes, in a few months during the summer, things will slow down and I can relax. :)
It’s hard not to have that writing time, but what wonderful, important work you are doing. I’m so glad to hear about it. Publishing is slow anyway, and your writing will still be there for you when you get back to it. Take good care of yourself!
Thanks Karen. :) Knowing that we could save children in the future is something that keeps us going to get it done. Hopefully, we can officially release the software to the FBI in May.
I’m always battling the stress! Sometimes a few, deep yoga breaths help!
Thanks for stopping by Lydia.
Deep breathing! Yes! It certainly does help. I need to start back taking my Wednesday night yoga class. Maybe in the summer.
Loved reading your Wednesday Writer’s Workspace blog post on Nutshell’s blog. :)
Sorry to hear you’re so stressed! I’ve been feeling pretty overwhelmed recently, too, to the point where it’s been taking a toll on my body. I finally broke down and tried acupuncture, and it’s been really helping! I also attended a free meditation workshop the other day, which inspired me to take time to just breathe every once in a while. Good luck! I hope things ease up soon.
Oh, sorry that you’ve been overwhelmed. Deep breathing and meditation is really a good thing — they say you can benefit from as little as 5 minutes a day.
I’ve always wanted to try acupuncture. That’s great that it’s helping you. Now I really want to try it myself.
OOooo Hawaii, that sounds just lovely :) I need to check out this Pinterest site. I received an invite and thats about as far as its gone. I hope your stress level has gotten better! I think stress is just part of the ebbs and flows of life. It will get better! Deep breathing exercises, watching or reading something funny, going for a nice walk, will all help.
Thanks Beth for the breathing tips. :) My stress is slowly getting better was we get closer to getting this FBI project out the door.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you are doing well.