by Joyce
Is anyone else having trouble getting motivated this year? I know this is most peoples' first full week back to work, so those of you in that situation have a good excuse. Those of us at home who are supposed to be writing during the day have to work a little harder at coming up with good excuses.
Lately, I've been finding everything else that needs to be done around the house instead of writing. I've cleaned out cupboards, drawers, and the laundry room. I've reorganized my books, CDs and DVDs, making sure they're all in alphabetical order. I've updated my CD and DVD lists on Excel. I'm in the process of cleaning out the file cabinet and getting rid of papers we no longer need. I'm thinking about reorganizing the attic next, complete with an Excel spreadsheet cataloging the contents of all the boxes.
I'm blaming it all on January. Who can write when it's so dull and gray outside? I'm sure I could force myself to write something--anything--but it would probably turn out to be crap. I can't sit and make myself put words on the page when I know they won't be any good. I've never been able to do that.
But I have noticed that even when I'm "redding up" as we say here in Pittsburgh, I'm constantly thinking about the book. I don't have a real outline this time around, so a lot of things are up in the air. Every time I'm sorting laundry, I'm also sorting all the "what ifs" rattling around in my brain.
So, although it seems like I might be procrastinating, maybe I'm not. Maybe this is all just part of the process. Maybe plotting and a clean house go hand in hand.
I don't know. Maybe I'll have a better idea when February roll around.
In the meantime, how are you faring so far this year? Making any progress? Or is your house as clean as mine?
5 comments:
I'm one of those "going back to work" folks, but I do have to say I felt MUCH better after I cleaned out my email messages at work.
I mean, isn't that what the new year is about, "Out with the Old!"?
I'm still managing to write a little each morning before anything else and it's been my saving grace this January. I'm only getting a page a morning, but it's something.
And, Joyce, for writers, sitting and staring out the window can count as work!
There's something to be said for clearing out the cobwebs in your physical space, Joyce, and it directly relates to clearing out fuzziness in your mind. That is actually one of the guiding principles of Feng Shui. Dust collected in the corners, and clutter on your desk (and elsewhere) correspond to clutter in your mind and disorganized thinking.
So go ahead, and get it out of your system. When everything is clean and organized your thoughts should be, as well.
Karen in Ohio
Well, I have nice little vacation spot here for you when you are done with your house ! Mine is a wreck.
That said, you are making a very clean slate. Think how stress free it will be to sit down and write when you are ready.
Do you have a kibbles and bits file ? I do. That said, I am a scatter brain. However it keeps thought in a doc till ready to be used.
Try reading something funny. My fav is Harlan Cobens Myron Bolitar series.
Can I line up behind SZ? My house is a wreck, too, probably because I follow that 3-M method of homecare: if it isn't growing Mold, Mildew or Maggots, it is clean enough.
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