Stuck in Winter - progress thus far
Winter
It's cold. It's damp. It's dark. I sit by a woodstove in a space that is hard to heat. Rather, my feet are hard to heat. Hard to write on a laptop on my lap, so at a table. It's not ideal. It's not my house. It's not my method of working.
Housesitting
Progress is slow. I am not sleeping well in a strange bed. Getting up to stoke a fire, making a simple cup of coffee takes 3x as long. Two cats want attention at the most inopportune times. Thought I would be able to dedicate myself to a month of wonderful progress. Much harder than expected mentally and the motivation ebbs more than flows. 1 full month here - 3 weeks left to go.
Distractions
Meow. Neighbors with chainsaws and jackhammers in the middle of an island retreat. It's dead quiet now, but won't last too long. Take the sliver of time to try to get into a productive zone. Power outages. The wind is waving the trees. The view of the ocean straight out the window. A deer looking for food under the arbutus leaves.
Expectations
Was planning, hoping, setting goals before assessing the day to day demands of the unfamiliar environment. High expectations and visualizing how my days to be spent. But now relatives texting me daily to come over to help with their jobs, invitations to nightly dinners to discuss their dreams. My dreams continually moved to the backburner.
Difficulties
Clarity is illusive. Can I really build something that will provide more than $4.85 over the next 3 years? Am I wasting my time on something that only 1% actually make work? The realist in me, the risk mitigator, the investor that calculates the return.
Enjoyment
Writing is creative. Creativity is motivating. Motivation is inspiring. Difficult to sit and write for hours. Even a difficult job is easier. But - the learning is positive. The dedication is challenging and fulfilling. I am creating, building something. I can see my accomplishments. The library grows and with it the depth of experience.
Stuck is fine
Being stuck in winter can be an opportunity. A way to hunker down. Challenge the writer's block. Push through the desire to go back to a warm bed to sleep after a sleepless night. Plug along. One word after the other. Doesn't have to be an award winning literary piece of wonder. Learn by doing. Learn by typing those letters to make words. Diligence. Just ... maintain ... motion.
Recent Comments
9
Your way of expression is absolutely wonderful. You should become an author. I can see the creative side of you
thanks for sharing.
Thanks Mutef.
It's nice to get the feedback and encouragement. This time of year can be difficult for those in the cold dark wet north. Creative perspective is often key.
You are quite welcome even though I live in Oklahoma we have some really bad winters as well, so I know what they are capable of. Best Wishes.
So sorry that you are having those experiences
I also have the winter and I write early in the mornings when it is warner temperature
Perhaps you can create a routine that you can stuck to and start seeing step by step progress?
Looking forward to hearing more about your progress
Thanks Simone.
Yes, routine is important. Even if just a very short window. Our bodies actually adapt to routine quite quickly. I think I will plan just 1 hour after breakfast next week each day.
A lesson I have learned this week is that like cutting firewood, sometimes the axe only goes in part way, but with consistent chops the log splits. Routine can create progress often just a little at time.
See more comments
Very nice post, Uramm! You'll get where you want to be by doing the tedious!
Jeff
Thanks Jeff.
You're welcome, Uramm!