This has been a day of no writing and the week ahead isn't looking much better, but for some reason I'm still clinging to the hope that I'll find the time and energy to churn out another 26,000 words before November 30th - which really doesn't seem likely. Work is hectic, Christmas is just around the corner, and we invited 50 or so people to our house for a kitchen warming in a few weeks so I've got more than enough to keep me busy.
And then there's running. I managed to squeeze in three good workouts last week but skipped my long run today so that I could spend a couple of hours cleaning and prepping my motorcycle for winter. It felt good to get that chore done but I'm grumpy as hell about missing my run.
The trouble is weekends just aren't long enough. When we bought our country place a few years back, I imagined I'd spend long hours there pursuing various creative projects - quilting, painting, writing, photography. Instead, most weekends are taken up with running, blogging and various social activities so I rarely have time to pursue other interests.
I know it's a just matter of setting new priorities and making some decisions. If I want to spend time doing other things, I simply have to give some things up. Either that or become one of those crazy morning people who crawls out of bed at 5:00 to run, blog or whatever. It would be amazing if I could be one of those people but I really don't think I have it in me.
And yet…and yet... if I were a morning person, maybe I could find time for all those things I want to do.
One thing's for sure, I'll be working a day job for lots more years so I'd better figure out how to juggle things better than I have been.
And, on that happy note, I guess it's time I was tucking in. Here's hoping a good night's sleep either inspires me to do some serious writing in the morning or helps me make peace with ditching NaNoWriMo 2013 once and for all. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Happy writing and running, friends!
PS The photo above is one I took in Paris in June. I'm hoping to write a post about our visit there soon. Stay tuned.
I'm one of those people that often crawls out of bed at 5:15, even on the weekends, and that's if the cats let me sleep that long. It's a very creative time. The problem is that by 9pm I'm usually heading to bed. The candle is the same length, you just choose to burn it for the hours you're most productive. I'm thinking I need more 3 and 4 day weekends. Good luck with the 26K words. Duct tape that inner censor!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Keith. How I wish I were a lark. I accomplish a lot when I do manage to get up early but it happens very rarely. I definitely prefer staying up late.
DeleteI agree - weekends are NOT long enough! Of course, it would help if I didn't fritter them away ;) As far as NaNo - you're almost half way there and we've only just passed the half way mark. You can do it - if you choose.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of choosing and prioritizing, did you see Gretchen Rubin's blog post on Friday? All about where to place you focus: http://gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2013/11/secret-of-adulthood-focus-not-on-doing-less-or-doing-more-but-on-doing-what-you-value/. Really gave me something to think about over the weekend.
Great picture :)
Great advice from Gretchen. Thanks, Janet. And I know what you mean about frittering time away. What I didn't mention in the post is that I slept in big time yesterday. Must have needed the sleep but it still felt like time wasted. :-(
DeleteStill not sure what I'm doing about NaNo. Maybe I'll just keep plugging and see what happens. Gald to hear you hopped back on the writing wagon this weekend. Hope it continues to go well today!