Prompt: Writing. What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your writing -- and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)
Considering I haven’t created a habit of writing, ever, there are probably TONS of things I could eliminate!
Normally I only write in my journal when something is going really wrong or when something is going really good (definitely more of the former than the latter). I have tried in the past to keep a gratitude journal by writing down a couple of things that I am grateful for.This has usually only lasted a day or two. I haven't stuck with it long enough to actually create a habit. (Google tells me it takes 21 days of consistently doing something to form a habit. I've never even gotten close to that! Hopefully that will change this month!)
So what is it that is really keeping me from writing? It’s a good question. I think one of my problems is finding the space (both time and location) that allows me the optimum environment to do so. I have a set routine and writing isn't part of it. I wake up at the same time as the Hubs and get home from work after the Hubs so I always feel that I would be sacrificing some of the few hours we have together. Grant it, I know he wouldn't care if I set aside a half hour or so to do something for myself (I spend lots of time reading when I'm home with him!), but setting that time aside for writing hasn't been a priority.
The other problem is my battle with perfectionism. I have to make sure that whatever I write sounds and is grammatically correct. This causes a simple writing session to often take WAY longer than it should. Also, because this is a blog and I have so many AWESOME blogs to compare mine to, I want to make sure my posts are interesting and also try to find pictures and links to jazz them up (both taking up more time than I probably have!).
So to eliminate these problems, I'm going to try writing a few different times during the day (before work, lunchtime and after work) to see if one time seems more convenient than another and when I have the most inspiration. I'll also only proofread this post only ONCE (or maybe twice...)!
Go lady! Also, I've found that if I build up a few posts when I do get the urge, I can save them to publish for later. That keeps them coming!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, congrats on starting your blog! When I first started mine I was nervous for people to read my posts because I was comparing my blog to all those people that had been writing for years. I have trouble taking time away from my husband too, for writing, but I have to remind myself that he won't mind if I take 30 mins for myself :)
ReplyDeleteNo-one (worth worrying about) is judging your writing and picking apart typos etc. I rarely proof read more than once and I always find mistakes days later. But, I try not to worry about it :)