Happy New Year!! I'm writing a post. Yes, yes I am. Do I want to talk about goals? Nah. Everyone is talking about them. I want to talk about that cloudy head. You know what I mean. It's the holiday hangover and you don't know where to start. I did take a few weeks off from writing as I'm sure many people have. For me, it was mostly because of life things, but it was good in a sense that I could clear my head of the crazy schedule I tend to fall into. But now starts the whole getting-back-into-a-routine thing. Of course wrapping up in a blanket and laying on the couch with a bowl of chocolate sounds nice too, but there's work to be done. I do think it's important to have a routine and to stick to it. Vacations are great, but there's a life to get back to. Starting a routine or getting back into one can be slow and discouraging at times, but forging ahead and sometimes taking baby steps will help. Let's face it, you're not becoming a marathon runner overnight. If you are, I will bow down to you.
Yes, you will feel like your brain is foggy without a lighthouse in sight or that you may never get that groove back. But it does come. Trust me, it happens to me all the time. Keep in mind, the brain is a muscle and needs to be exercised. Of course, there is that rusty feeling. That's when you start to freak out and think you can never have an original or awesome thought again. I've been there. Actually, this past week. You may have heard me grumble. Wheels may squeal when you try and type. The words on the page might not make sense. It's like you're a small child learning how to write. It may also feel as though your story has blindfolded you and placed you in a dark room of nothing, leaving you grasping at air. It's okay. Your brain needs to be worked and molded back to where it was. Think about it. When you stop ice skating for years and then one day your child asks to go and you go out there and try--you wobble, but there is a familiar feeling. It may be distant, but after a few or more laps you get a groove back. You won't be joining Disney on Ice anytime soon, but if you started to go on a regular basis you would build that confidence and strength back. Again, Disney may not be in your future, but I think you get the idea.
Same goes for writing. If you take time off, coming back to it may make you feel like a fish out of water. Like you may never write again. You may read past manuscripts and wonder-- did I really write that? I can't do that. Oh, but you can. It may take time, but routine and challenging yourself will get you back into your groove and onto a new adventure.
I'm finally thinking like my old self again, well, almost, but I know it will come back. ;)
So, how was everyone's holiday?
Is your mind cloudy?
Have a great weekend!
