Why I stopped…

Before Christmas and New Year happened (happy New Year, by the way!!), I worked consistently - writing my short story, editing it, formatting it… and I love the outcome and the story (sign up to the mailing list at the bottom of the page to read it), but I decided that once that was finished I would STOP.

Not just until January 1st.

I know it’s kind of expected of us to hit the ground running in January but I can’t do it! I want to ease into the month, the YEAR, like I’m slowly lowering myself into a hot bath. Go gently. Relax.

Which means this first week of the month is taken to get used to the new normal after being out of sync of my usual routine for almost 2 months, and mentally clearing the decks.

At the weekend I’m planning on taking my laptop and notebook to my fave coffee shop, sitting down, fuelling up on that sweet writing juice, and hashing out all the projects I have for the year. That means I’ll also be setting up a schedule for first drafts, edits, and publications!

I promise this year is the year I’ll stick to it. This is the first year since COVID hit us where I feel like I can start to look into the future again, instead of only looking into the next week, and bracing for something terrible to happen.

Last year was NOT a good one for me, personally. I had to highs, of course, but I went to too many funerals, and I felt myself drift away from who I want to be. I guess everything from the last couple of years just took their toll. You can only smile and laugh through so much before your face hurts.

So, yes, I have stopped.

And, yes, I will begin again.

(“Siri, play Taylor Swift”).

- Sam