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Writing Productivity: When Adulting Gets in the Way



Journal Entry # 2
26th January 2020

Fortnight at a Glance
These last two weeks haven't been overly productive, with minimal writing/editing to show for it. I definitely came across a couple of obstacles over the last few weeks. I’ve been getting ready to go back to work, as well as dealing with a few adulting tasks, and it definitely slowed me down. There were a couple of days I didn’t write anything, but most days I, at least, did something on my current WIP. I found it difficult, especially after the Christmas break, to come home after a long day and find the energy/motivation to write. I think this is one of the biggest obstacles I will need to overcome. I need to either learn to push through or find time to write in the morning.

This fortnight reminded me that the biggest killers of my creativity is stress (some laziness) and letting myself get overwhelmed. I’ve reached the point in my WIP where there is a lot more ‘re-writing’ to do and less ‘editing’. Although I’m excited to write after so long just editing (although, in this case, it’s both), I’m starting to think ‘too hard’ about all the changes I need to make. It makes me overwhelmed and then I put my work away. I need to remember to take it one step at a time.

I made some progress toward my end goal, and I need to remind myself how good some progress can be. I’m also very pleased that although life is getting busy again, I’m still committed to my goals.

Accomplishments
Regarding the problem of ‘feeling overwhelmed’ and letting myself feel dejected about my project, I still wanted to complete my daily goal of ten minutes. One particular day this fortnight, I opened my laptop for the first time at 10:00pm. I stared at the document, read maybe a page and, feeling so overwhelmed by what was next, closed my laptop and went to sleep. However, I closed my laptop to allow myself to just ‘think’ about the project and how I wanted to tackle this next tricky bit. I think, in the future, I need to allow myself to just ‘think’ about it more often because it worked and helped me tackle the challenge the next day more confidently.

Despite the sudden busyness, and my negative feelings about how much harder it was to write, I found time to make progress anyway, which I’m proud of. I also gave myself permission to do what I usually don’t because it's not ‘productive’. I painted. I painted a great big fantasy map because I wanted to, while listening to Alex Michaelides’ Silent Patient, and it was lovely.

Obstacles
I mainly blame my lack of stamina, due to my inactivity during the break, but my own lack of energy was my biggest obstacle. I had time, even on the busy days, to sit down and write, but most of the time I sat down after my busy day and did not find the energy to get back up again.

In the next fortnight, I will try a different routine to help maintain my productivity. However, I will also be kind to myself if the next fortnight is not very productive, because getting back to work can be all-consuming until I get used to it again, and that’s okay.

Reading
My reading goals lost a little momentum this week, again due to my lack of energy, as well as a bit of laziness. I finished my audiobook while I was doing other tasks and started another, which felt good, but I have not yet finished my physical book A Curse so Dark and Lonely, even though I’m so close.

I really enjoyed The Silent Patient, and was greatly inspired by the mystery, the build-up, and the slow but satisfying reveals on the way. There are lots of aspects about this book that I am still thinking about/marvelling over/pondering/considering re-reading just to rediscover what I didn’t see the first time. However, I can’t go into too much detail without spoiling some of the great surprises I found in this book.

Inspiration
The Silent Patient, definitely, gave me a lot to think about and inspired ways a book can be written and present information.

Another spark of inspiration came from watching previews on Netflix. I always love watching the trailers before a film. The short clips can inspire a whole story in my head.

Looking Forward
I know the next fortnight will be challenging. However, I am most looking forward to appreciating my days off and taking time for me. To keep my spaces tidy for the sake of my own cluttered brain, to write, to read, and to remember that painting brings me peace and calm. I hope to get through this next fortnight, feeling like I did what I needed to do for me.


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