Hey there! It’s been one helluva week and I must admit, my ass is dragging. In addition to my work as a copywriter, and writing coach, I’ve been working hard on building my business so I can reach more writers. My energy is low, though my passion for helping people write is high. So, what do I do when I’m writing on fumes? I focus on self-care. Not face masks and spa days (though, doesn’t that sound lovely), but self-care for my writing self. 1) I get a move on. If you also work on a computer all day, you get what I’m talking about. Yes, I need to have my butt in the chair to get my job done, but too much chair and too little movement makes my energy stagnant. So, I get up and walk the dog, do some stretching, or…if I have the time…I go for a swim. Every single time, I come back to my chair feeling better. Give it a try. You don’t have to do a big workout. Just get up and move around. Dance to a couple songs on Spotify or walk around the block. Seriously…it works. 2) I tidy up my office. I take the cups of cold coffee to the kitchen and organize my papers. I wipe up the toast crumbs and fold my little blanket. I organize my little officey things, like my pens, stapler, and earbuds so that everything is in their place. Creating visual order leads to mental order, which makes me feel less exhausted. 3) I focus on “why.” I do a little mental exercise and ask myself: “What’s the bigger reason why I’m writing this thing?” The answer always points to my reader. Even if all I’m doing is writing copy or web content that’s not terribly inspiring, I remind myself, somebody is going to read this thing. She’s a person having a busy day. He’s a guy trying his best. They’re a student, patient, or parent. It might be my editor, manager, or boss, client, fellow writer, or friend. These people matter to me and when I remember that I’m writing for them, it fuels my motivation. Ask yourself: What’s my why? Who am I writing for? It helps! Now, I know none of this is earth shattering advice. There’s no rocket science here. So, why am I sharing my personal dragginess with you? Because I understand how hard it is to stay on task, especially when you’re trying to fit your writing life in with your “real life.” It’s easy to let the tank run dry and give up on your writing goals. You’ll say, “I’m just going to take it easy this week,” even though that’s not what you really want to do. Remind yourself - you’ve set some goals and you really want to achieve them. So…if you’re having that sloggy, draggy, feeling too – get moving, tidy up, and ask yourself why you’re writing! And remember, I believe in you. Oh, and BTW, I’m doing a two-part online live workshop with Rosie Acosta on October 7 and October 14 from 10:30 to 12:00. It’s called “The Mindful Writer” and I think you’re going to love it. Rosie is a global expert on meditation and mindfulness and podcasts for Headspace. She’s also the author of You Are Radically Loved, which (humble brag) I coached her through writing. Rosie will help us use mindfulness to connect with our creativity. I’ll be talking about Why, What and How to Write with a focus on: · making writing part of your personal mission and · creating a map to get your idea out on paper. Sign up here to grab your seat: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_E4j8uxHYSpuMZ0XW2V1CTQ#/registration I’m thinking of you!
