Quote of the Day: Writing is harder than anything else; at least starting to write is. It’s much easier to was dishes. When I’m writing I set myself a daily quota of pages, but nine times out of ten I’m doing those pages at four o’clock in the afternoon because I’ve done everything else first…But once I get flowing with it, I wonder what took me so long. – Kristin Hunter, American writer
I chose this picture for the summer feeling (it’s below 0 here today), and because I brought a few of these handmade journals to my mom’s group on Monday.
Peace!
Last week, I wrote about Bucket Lists. My new adult piano student and I both received wonderful comments and encouragement from that post. One of her friends wrote, “I want to be a Kindergartner in something. I just don’t know what.” We make our lists. We have our dreams. We might even know exactly what we love to do and where we’d like to go with it. And, yet, there is resistence.
On Monday, my Faithful Moms group wanted to talk and write about Bucket Lists, New Year’s Resolutions, Word for the Year, and Dreams. We met at 8:30 am. First, we chatted a bit, catching up on the week. Then, we watched a Youtube video of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. He really was a powerful speaker. One mom said, “He really knew how to work a metaphor.” I wondered if he wrote his own speeches. Then, we talked about Civil Rights, looked up info on Dr. King, talked about our kids, what we would do “once they’re out of the house.” And, on and on. It was almost 10:00, the time we usually wrap it up, and I said, “Okay, time to turn off the computer. Shut it down. Stop talking and write.” I had to use my teacher/mom voice with these women. The resistence in the room was thick like goo. (Those were the first words I wrote in my journal.)
Don’t we all do that? We want to do our art, or learn a new craft, or save money for a trip…anything. But, we fuss around “doing dishes” instead of the task that’s calling us. And, like Kristin Hunter, in the above quote, I do the same thing. I clean, start laundry, putter around, check my email, look at facebook, play the piano for a bit, even take a walk, THEN I’m ready to sit down and write. Of course, by then the kids are home from school and the first piano student is at the door.
I challenge you to ignore the dishes, turn off the internet, and dig into your craft/goals today. You can do it. It’s a bit like exercise, I know. At first you avoid it, but when you’re done, you feel so good about yourself.
Go. Create. Inspire! (and, stop resisting!!!)
Journaling Prompt: What would you rather be doing right now?
I find my To-Do list helps guide me through the day. My projects are broken down into steps that are manageable, even with the interruptions of daily life. But even those I try to take care of as they arise, so there’s not a backlog of chores distracting me.
Fantastic post (and gentle kick). I need to send out more queries and have been doing everything but that for days. I know you’re right that I will feel tons better once I have more irons in the fire.
And it’s so true that starting IS the hardest part.
What I would love to be doing is not possible right now (sit on the beach) but I did buy myself a new pair of jeans and it was a thrill for me today.. :O)
Oh what a question! I would MUCH rather be at home, cleaning, writing, running, creating than sitting here, waiting for a phone to ring so someone else can complain. Ah…bliss.
Hope all is well!
Jen
I love what one of your readers said, Mary, about wanting to be a kindergartner. That’s so sweet, especially for a mother of a kindergartner, because it puts me on his level for a while, learning the world through new, fresh eyes.
I think the puttering is part of the creative process, for sure. But you’re right in that we can take it too far, and then find we’ve accomplished nothing. There’s a balance, for sure!
Today I haven’t had a moment to create because I’m in gathering mode for an article I’m working on. It’s exciting though — I’m starting to feel the story come together in my mind. Now to go through the loads of interviews! I may be puttering a bit before I can come up with the story, but with a deadline looming, I know it WILL get done. Deadlines help keep that crucial balance, I find, whether self-imposed of coming from the outside (aka, an editor!). 🙂
I love creating. Sewing is a passion of mine.
This is a great post!
Yes, resistance can be hard to overcome. Writing casually in a paper journal helps me get ideas for more polished writing. But even then, I often find myself wasting time reading facebook and checking my email over again.
Those are some adorable handmade journals!
Great reminder to get started… 🙂
It is so easy to get distracted and I am the world’s best procrastinator. I would love to be a kindergartener instead. I want to learn how to knit.
Just popping back to say I have a gift for you on my blog.
I’m with Roxane – I’m in gathering mode. I’ve had to school myself to be calm and enjoy the gathering instead of panicking about schedules.