Writing On The Move

Unintentionally, I created the first draft of a personal manifesto or mantra. I believe these words or reminders will continue to pivot and bloom as I plod along my writing path:

• Don’t wait to start your dream (thanks, Jim Henson).

• Don’t allow others to pull you down.

• Don't get stuck in the past or the future (thanks, Master Ooguay and others).

• Don't stop dreaming, don’t stop believing.

• Don’t die without trying. (Thanks, Wayne Dyer).

I seem to tell myself “DON’T” more than I realized…

Meh!

I'll work on the wording as I continue navigating the next stages of my writing journey.  

It was necessary to document these reminders as my writing routine shifted dramatically over the past few weeks. I am sure you can relate to the difficulty of maintaining daily routines away from home. When I am physically away from my regular writing space, old fears work hard to test my creative commitment.

I work hard to keep the creative mojo flowing daily. The dedication to my craft today is louder than the doubts from the past and fears of the future. It wasn't always this way.

Within the first few months of my writing journey, I developed a daily writing routine I was satisfied with. I woke up around 5am and wrote before any other tasks in the morning.  I was pumped about my routine and never imagined I would be deterred from it. 

In mid-2022, shortly after my first 100 days of writing daily, the family and I left the big city one weekend to visit friends and chill out. I packed my laptop and journal, then set the alarm for early morning, expecting my writing routine to stay the same.

I didn't know how the fresh air would sabotage my routine. Fresh air to a city dweller is a free sleeping drug.

On the first morning away from home, the alarm went off at 5:30am.  I kept hitting the SNOOZE button before turning it off, intending to wake up soon afterward. I didn’t wake until 9am when I heard others around the house.

I spent the next hour whining about how late it was and how I couldn’t write because it wasn't at the “scheduled” time I set for myself.

Later in the morning, I thought… Couldn’t I write NOW?

It wasn’t the same. Others were awake and I was distracted. Little writing took place. I was angry with myself.

The same thing happened the next day, despite going to bed early. I woke up late, vented for hours about not writing at 5am, and wrote before noon on the same day while cursing my exhaustion and clean air.

Obviously, I needed the rest. Yet I was upset about sleeping in and messing with my writing mojo.

Once we returned home, my writing routine snapped back into place. I had concerns about going away again.

We left town for a few more weekends in 2022 and 2023. I had a daily writing routine at home I was happy with. It was out of whack on the days I was away.

In the summer of 2023, I planned a family road trip.  Not only were we planning to be away from home and sleep in four different places in less than two weeks, I thought it would be a great idea to buy and use a new writing journal for the duration of the trip. I hoped a new physical book would magically inspire different types of handwriting. 

The road trip was a success. Writing during this period was a disaster. Guilt settled in when I was writing and not spending time with family and friends. I didn’t enjoy writing in the new book (it was lined and the pages were not smooth to write on). I did not expect the struggle to fill the pages daily. There were days I didn't want to write.

I didn’t understand at the time why the struggle existed. Was it the new journal? Was it this whole fresh air thing again? Was the change in my routine too much for my writing mojo to handle?

I was able to decompress and enjoy my time away. I wrote at various times each day and felt scattered on the creative side. I questioned my commitment to the path.

Reflecting on these experiences, I didn't have clear, realistic intentions on what could be accomplished while away. Rejuvenating times away are required to maintain my creativity. 

I do not experience the same writing performance anxiety as I did in the past. I have different expectations of my writing journey while away from home. What remains consistent is the daily writing and some of the tools I use to write. I retired Wonder Woman as a travel journal 😥. 

How do I combat nagging performance issues when the routine shifts?

✨ I don't immediately assume the mojo is gone forever. Fear enjoys playing tricks with the mind when the comforts of home are not there. It will attempt to convince me I’m not worthy of this journey, take a break, quit, or worse.  When my mind questions my commitment, I ask myself if these thoughts are true before believing them.  

✨ I remind myself who and how I was before I stepped onto this writing path. I ask myself why I would want to go back in time when I wasn’t pursuing a creative vision. 

✨ I have realistic expectations when I know in advance the routine will shift.  For example, when I am away for the weekend, I do not plan to write a novel. My daily routine and goals will shift temporarily.

✨ A shift in the routine is a good reminder to be flexible and explore new methods. Writing away from home led to the discovery of audio notes and capturing ideas on the go.

✨ It is ok to take a break and refuel. Time away from home is meant to recharge. Writing will be better after a breath of fresh air.

On days when my writing routine shifts, I shift my thoughts to stay in the present moment to continue doing what I love. I will add to my manifesto:

• Don’t let one setback hold you back. (Thanks, ME. And Wonder Woman…)

Hmm… Another “don’t” popped out of me. Is this a sign?

MEH! 

As mentioned earlier, it's a work in progress…

When the wave knocks your routine to the curb, It is important not to let your thoughts take you away with the tide. There will always be days when you find it difficult to create. It is not necessarily a sign of the end. Get up and create anyway.  

When the rhythm of the routine breaks, don’t lose hope. You can figure out a way to keep the mojo going, even if the routine needs to shift temporarily. Take deep breaths and believe in yourself. Your mojo is still there. Occasionally it needs fresh air. 

Breathe it in, fellow creatives.

Nadine