One of the most difficult things to do as a writer, is to unplug and allow your brain to rejuvenate and stop spinning.
What do you do, for you? Do you exercise regularly? How’s your sleep? And what about nutrition? Do you get any?
How do you care and nurture your creative side?
One thing that I have issues with is screen time. I get to a point where my eyes burn, or get so tired, I need to close them.
Does that happen to you?
I’ve added the blue-light savings specs to my desk necessities, but they don’t always work.
Then there’s the creative brain…
At night, and in the very early morning, I’m able to meditate to the point of deep relaxation. Sometimes I’ll have a chat with my characters and other times just hang out and let the calm engulf me.
I think one of my non-existent New Year’s resolutions for 2023, was to learn how to meditate and calm my thoughts.
I know, I know… I actually laughed as I finished typing that particular sentence.
I’m thinking like, yeah sure… me, and my twisted writer brain, relax? Now there’s an oxymoron if I’ve heard one.
We, as writers, spend a lot of time in our heads going over words, spinning characters, and dreaming of original content.
But as I get more and more involved in a project, the calm is more difficult to achieve.
Meditation doesn’t come. The twisted writer brain twists a little tighter until it feels ready to snap.
Right now I’m at a place of distraction and fatigue.
As many of you know, I’m also the co-director of the Wine Country Writers’ Festival and this is a huge job. We just opened registration, which means I can step back and take a bit of a breather.
It’s so easy to let the work of writing, overtake life. It so important to find that balance and would appreciate any and all tips you have.
Thanks for listening. I feel like I just had a bit of a whine-fest… I see some sleep in my future.
Thanks for stopping by. Let me know your thoughts. Follow Below.
Balance is definitely something I’m struggling to achieve currently (as writing has again fallen to the wayside in favor of any and all sleep I can get lol) but I do have some ways I’m able to pause my spinning mind a bit! Yoga is a big one for me (yoga with adriene on youtube is what I do). I find the moving meditation of yoga works better for me because I have something to focus on – moving in and out of the poses.
I have also found a few podcasts I really enjoy that help me relax and, bonus, don’t involve screen time! A favourite is The Debators on CBC. Or Wiser than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Oh and cleaning while listening to a podcast. Even better lol.
Finally, I find swimming to be another sort of moving meditation that helps me relax. Nothing fancy, just some floating and maybe a few easy laps. I hope some of these might help, dear Faye. And I wish I was closer for the writer’s festival!
Hi Erin. Thanks for your kind words and suggestions. I know what you mean about sleep… I love sleep…ahh.
Yoga and I don’t get along very well but you know, I’ve never tried YouTube meditation… that’s a really cool idea. Put it on and let it take me away. I like that.
Podcasts and cleaning? 😩 Erin! what are you thinking? lol 😂 You had me until the cleaning came into it. Seriously though, I haven’t given podcasts enough of a chance. Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll check them out. Even to listen while on a walk would be good because my brain spins all through the process of walking the dog. A shift in focus would be a good thing.
I wish you were closer too. Where are you again? Maybe I’ll have to see if there’s a festival near you.
Ok… Taking the rest of the day off and will dive back in tomorrow.
Hoping this finds you well and enjoying the day. 🥰