3 Things That I'm Doing To Get Myself Back On Track For Writing...I Hope...

While nothing is ever guaranteed, I am hoping to get a pretty polished draft of Book 2 established by the end of the year, maybe even GASP a release date?! But to make that happen, I will need to do a few things.

1. Take better care of myself, mostly mentally. As us indie authors and other creatives alike all know logically that we must take care of ourselves. In my case the book won't write itself (despite how many ideas I have jumbled together in my head). That being said why is it so hard to make sure that we are in tune with ourselves? Because we can get distracted. Distracted by chores around the house, with family drama, money, or even comparison and discouragement of shouting into the void that is the internet. I have to remind myself constantly that this is my corner of the internet (for now and for free) and I can do and say what ever I want on it (within reason of course). Which brings me to my next discovery about what I want to do...
   

2. Meditate. I find that meditation regularly help my mind feel more focused and at peace with what I want to accomplish in the time that my creative well is full. I usually meditate under a full of new moon, or right when I am about to go to sleep, or even when I am on a run and in the middle of the trail in the woods. 3 or 5 deep breathes with my headphones off and no one around. Just to listen to the breeze and what its trying to tell me. It also gives me a break from jogging but that's not why I love it. Meditation reminds me to pay attention and helps me clear my head of pent up energy that I might be feeling, allowing my creative side to flow more freely.

   
   

3. (And very important) Write without guilt. Since I have been laid off, I would think that I would have more time to write and be creative to focus on my indie author career right? Hahaha that's the lie I told myself. Of course I didn't realize it was a lie at the time. I thought that I would get a new job sooner than this but at last here we are. My husband works full time (thankfully) but I still feel bad about writing all day. Am I happy? Of course I am I love doing it, but am I satisfied? Well I could use a bit (a ton) more book sales before I can even try to call it a business. But one day, after realizing that I have applied for every job I qualify for and then some, after realizing that I have done everything I can possibly think of to obtain a job and now I'm just in the dreaded waiting game, and even running into jobs that I have all ready applied for a month ago, I set up my writing space just to write. And that is all I did, I got a refreshing drink, I turned on a calm ambiance background on my main tv, and just started reviewing what I have so far with Book 2. It gets me excited for book 3 and even book 4! The way I felt after a few hours (I had the time that day) was incredible. I felt lighter, productive and even dare I say optimistic. It was also when I realized that depriving myself of writing because it doesn't feel like I deserve to do it because it's not job searching is not the way I should look at it. I am allowed to work on writing while looking for a job. Full stop.

While there are multiple reasons why I can't seem to find a steady day job right now, this is not a political or economical site nor will it ever be a political or economical site. This blog and this site is strictly for my indie author career and my rantings and ravings about and in relation to that. I intend to continue down this rabbit hole of self care, and while it feels like I have a way better chance of winning the lottery than having stable book sales right now, I'm going to keep writing, not for a source of income or because I want to be a creative entrepreneur, but simply because it makes me happy.

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