I love this post it gave me a lot of hope because, despite the horrors of the election, there are people in the world who are making it better for themselves and others. YOU are one of the best! I'm making a bold move the dedicate time to my writing! Wish me luck!
Oh I love to read that, Carrie. Your memoir is so danged good. I look forward to holding the book in my hands. Meantime, I'm cheering you on all the way!
Being hugged by a tree is one of my dreams. I am usually the one doing the hugging but no matter. lol I'm not talking about the election. I am outraged and find it hard to express myself. I'm going to hug a tree now.
I really love what you wrote. I really needed to hear, "Make the time to what really matters to you." I am trying to imagine what the smells were like: what a wonderful photo. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
What a perfect post-election spot! And I share your conflicted reaction to someone wanting to have a turn in there…ha! Miss
I think I would’ve closed my eyes and called with all my kid-like might on the sudden superpower of invisibility at that moment🙇🏻♀️🙏🏼🦸🏻♀️!
“Nooo, can everybody please go away? Can’t you see I’m solituding here?!” 🥴
And then reluctantly given up on my perfect haven with the same sort of sharing spirit you had to muster.
Because, at the end of the day our better good should always win (especially when seeking solace after an election like that🤷🏻♀️).
I personally think quite often about the subject of time and time management, and It’s been a constant struggle, which my ADD certainly doesn’t help.
But!
I’m finally finding better answers, albeit slowly, in this new chapter in my life, which is dedicated to just that - space for my creative self to fly and yes, play, and learn and practice the art of breathing easy.
I’m in a new place - literally and figuratively - where I have finally found the time and space to more easily than ever MAKE the time for all the creative endeavors busting at the seams for years.
No excuses anymore! Now the pressure is on to use it wisely.
Balance is the name of the game for me. Balance in taking care of life’s responsibilities in any given day so that, ideally, I can justify carving out a couple of hours each day to let my creative muse out to play and work.
It admittedly takes a little more managing than I thought it would at this stage of my life, with allowing time to find my way in a new country on top of all the inevitable annoying interruptions (hello, not wanting to share my tree trunk…or my treasured creative time!) in my complicatedly woven life and unexpected twists and turns we all experience, but I have the tools and I’m using them more than ever.
I’m proud of my progress and still learning to go easy on myself as needed, which is often :-/!
A valuable fact I’ve learned about myself is that I find it easier to make the space when there’s some accountability, even if self-imposed, or a deadline or a specific end goal.
And trying to build routines and habits around that set-aside time is also useful, like your writing time in the morning. (I love the candle idea👌🏼).
Thanks for the inspired thinking on the squirelly art of time management… Helpful to think through it in writing.
But isn’t everything?!
OK, back to work…..but time for the fun kind now ;).
Ahhh, cheers to the wild flow of the creative life🥂!
P.S. Hope to meet you in San Miguel!
I’m happy to say I live there now and am looking forward to another wonderful writers conference week!!
Really enjoy your writing. And your subject matter and style resonate with me.
So glad you’ll be part of the conference this year. Strong panel!
Thank you for this thoughtful response, Lila. I'm so glad you are making time for what matters to you. And yes! I hope to see you in San MIguel in February. Let's do this together.
I finally got a chance to read this. It was just what I needed. Feeling a little overwhelmed, and out of sorts, remembering the gifts of nature and the benefits of a writing routine has helped me feel more grounded. Thank you for this lovely post. xoxox
I love this post it gave me a lot of hope because, despite the horrors of the election, there are people in the world who are making it better for themselves and others. YOU are one of the best! I'm making a bold move the dedicate time to my writing! Wish me luck!
Oh I love to read that, Carrie. Your memoir is so danged good. I look forward to holding the book in my hands. Meantime, I'm cheering you on all the way!
Glad to hear this Carrie!
Oh how I admire your commitment to your writing practice!
Thanks, Marilyn. It's the only way I know to keep after it and keep my balance.
Being hugged by a tree is one of my dreams. I am usually the one doing the hugging but no matter. lol I'm not talking about the election. I am outraged and find it hard to express myself. I'm going to hug a tree now.
And all you have to do is step outside your home in the woods. Here are some virtual hugs from me, too.
I love this post and photo. Thanks for the shout out, sister writer!
Love sharing shout outs and all of it with you! Sail on, sister writer.
I really love what you wrote. I really needed to hear, "Make the time to what really matters to you." I am trying to imagine what the smells were like: what a wonderful photo. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Oh Arlene, you should crawl inside a tree trunk and breathe deeply... rich and earthy. Keep making the time. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
What a perfect post-election spot! And I share your conflicted reaction to someone wanting to have a turn in there…ha! Miss
I think I would’ve closed my eyes and called with all my kid-like might on the sudden superpower of invisibility at that moment🙇🏻♀️🙏🏼🦸🏻♀️!
“Nooo, can everybody please go away? Can’t you see I’m solituding here?!” 🥴
And then reluctantly given up on my perfect haven with the same sort of sharing spirit you had to muster.
Because, at the end of the day our better good should always win (especially when seeking solace after an election like that🤷🏻♀️).
I personally think quite often about the subject of time and time management, and It’s been a constant struggle, which my ADD certainly doesn’t help.
But!
I’m finally finding better answers, albeit slowly, in this new chapter in my life, which is dedicated to just that - space for my creative self to fly and yes, play, and learn and practice the art of breathing easy.
I’m in a new place - literally and figuratively - where I have finally found the time and space to more easily than ever MAKE the time for all the creative endeavors busting at the seams for years.
No excuses anymore! Now the pressure is on to use it wisely.
Balance is the name of the game for me. Balance in taking care of life’s responsibilities in any given day so that, ideally, I can justify carving out a couple of hours each day to let my creative muse out to play and work.
It admittedly takes a little more managing than I thought it would at this stage of my life, with allowing time to find my way in a new country on top of all the inevitable annoying interruptions (hello, not wanting to share my tree trunk…or my treasured creative time!) in my complicatedly woven life and unexpected twists and turns we all experience, but I have the tools and I’m using them more than ever.
I’m proud of my progress and still learning to go easy on myself as needed, which is often :-/!
A valuable fact I’ve learned about myself is that I find it easier to make the space when there’s some accountability, even if self-imposed, or a deadline or a specific end goal.
And trying to build routines and habits around that set-aside time is also useful, like your writing time in the morning. (I love the candle idea👌🏼).
Thanks for the inspired thinking on the squirelly art of time management… Helpful to think through it in writing.
But isn’t everything?!
OK, back to work…..but time for the fun kind now ;).
Ahhh, cheers to the wild flow of the creative life🥂!
P.S. Hope to meet you in San Miguel!
I’m happy to say I live there now and am looking forward to another wonderful writers conference week!!
Really enjoy your writing. And your subject matter and style resonate with me.
So glad you’ll be part of the conference this year. Strong panel!
Thank you for this thoughtful response, Lila. I'm so glad you are making time for what matters to you. And yes! I hope to see you in San MIguel in February. Let's do this together.
I finally got a chance to read this. It was just what I needed. Feeling a little overwhelmed, and out of sorts, remembering the gifts of nature and the benefits of a writing routine has helped me feel more grounded. Thank you for this lovely post. xoxox