Carving out time to write during the holidays
This meme from J.K. Rowling felt particularly relevant right now as we near the holiday season. I’ve always felt like I have to carve out time to focus on my books but right now I feel it even more intently, and it’s not just because I’m nearing the end of this book.
I think this is made worse by the fact that I write from home and everywhere I look I see things that need to be done.
-Go into the kitchen to get a glass of water- oh look! There’s last night’s dishes still in the sink and “should I thaw out something for dinner tonight?”
-Turn on my computer- there are the kid’s book orders I haven’t finished, or the holiday letter I need to write for this year’s Christmas cards. (actually my computer is my biggest distraction… too bad I rely on it so heavily to write or I’d cover the damn thing with a sheet and ignore it)
-I look down at my dog- “Does she need to be brushed? I’ve been meaning to do that!”
Are you starting to see my problem? My ENTIRE house is one big distraction! The holidays only make that worse! Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, various trips we’re taking the next two months, school snack assignments, holiday parties, cookie exchanges, birthdays… it’s never ending!
To help myself I’ve started saying “no”. You might think that’s not a big deal but you see, to me it is. Saying “no” is a new concept- one which I’m slowly becoming more adept at doing.
I begin by looking at my week and seeing where I’m free. For instance, I don’t have anything on the calendar for today (Monday) and Wednesday. So when I’m asked if I can meet for lunch, run an errand to the other side of town, or volunteer an extra day in my daughter’s class, I reply with a polite, “No, thank you.” This gives me a solid seven hours to work before my girls come home and I begin my part-time jobs: tutor, chef, chauffeur, counselor, etc.
I truly love my life but there comes a point when I have to decide if writing is a job or a hobby. I decided long ago that it’s a job and I’m going to stick to that. Even through the holidays. 🙂
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