One thing I find works for me is to keep track of how many hours I’ve spent on a particular project. I have a little grid with 100 squares on it, and I give myself a sticker for every hour I spend on that project. Then I can notice if it’s been a while since I got a sticker, and also I get the chance to pat myself on the back when I do spend an hour. And the stickers add up and look impressive! Works for me anyway.
This post sums up so many things I have thought in my head, except not really thought because I’ve been too in denial to think them, more floated around in the background while I beat myself up for not getting up at 5am to write and also learn Spanish. Thank you! ❤️
As always, great advice! I am loving the idea of daydreaming these days. Even if I time it / track it (that's the Type A in me), I am thrilled that I've carved out some time just to gaze out the window. I like giving my brain a break. :)
I’ve somehow managed to keep up my writing goal of posting every 2 weeks on Substack this year… but that’s the only goal I was able to keep as far as creative projects. Sometimes I question how I’m prioritizing my time between different projects for a self-imposed Substack deadline, but I will say it feels satisfactory knowing I can do it.
I know sometimes, I end up prioritizing my Substack over my other writing because there's a built-in sense of accountability with it, especially when I've kept it up for so long. So there have been times when I've had to ask myself, am I using my Substack as a way to 'productively' avoid my other creative work? And as much as I enjoy writing this newsletter, there's definitely been times when that has been true.
So occasionally, I have to consciously put my other writing first, and between that and Life (mostly Life) that sometimes means my Substack is a bit late. I was so worried that people would be upset, but that hasn't been the case. People give much more grace than we realize.
I was also worried that it would result in my falling off the newsletter consistency wagon for good, but also, that hasn't been the case. I was super-proud of keeping up my perfect streak in the beginning, but it's also good to remember that I can extend some grace to myself, and that there's other writing that I do that is important to me, and that sometimes I need to remind myself not to avoid it.
I don't know if this is also the case for you, but if it is, remember that it's okay to give yourself a little grace.
I look at writing as a mental exercise. And just like with any other form of exercise, it is hard (for me at least) to stay on any particular plan or schedule if it is not fun, in terms of being more rewarding to do when compared to everything else one is "supposed to do." Personally, I have found detailed goal-setting to be something I do at my day job, which is fine for that, but not something for "fun" activities.
Given that, what am I doing? I set a very broad goal to read more and write more in 2024 and pursue things I find fun or otherwise interesting. It sounds bland in a way, but it's working for me. One thing that has really sparked my writing activity is to be involved in a weekly writing prompt process. I believe there are several on Substack, I'm in mary g.'s "what now?". Most weeks I end up writing something in response to the prompt, and then most weeks I also end up writing more. And I'm reading a ton of short fiction and a few real books.
Your mileage may vary, but that is what is working for me.
Without fail, you leave me chuckling! Fabulous read Sonal, and as always, it is reassuring to know a lot of us are in that same boat with not enough oars, too many navigators and only a teaspoon to bail with. Can I end a sentence with ‘with’?
To paraphrase Churchill (allegedly), That is something up with which I will certainly put. :)
The rule about not ending a sentence with a preposition is dumb and was imposed upon English grammar by fussy Victorians for no good reason at all. Ignore it.
I love this advice!
One thing I find works for me is to keep track of how many hours I’ve spent on a particular project. I have a little grid with 100 squares on it, and I give myself a sticker for every hour I spend on that project. Then I can notice if it’s been a while since I got a sticker, and also I get the chance to pat myself on the back when I do spend an hour. And the stickers add up and look impressive! Works for me anyway.
And also, you get to play with stickers, which is extremely fun.
I might modify my menu approach to many projects include stickers.
This post sums up so many things I have thought in my head, except not really thought because I’ve been too in denial to think them, more floated around in the background while I beat myself up for not getting up at 5am to write and also learn Spanish. Thank you! ❤️
No one should ever wake up and 5am except if it's to go back to sleep!
As always, great advice! I am loving the idea of daydreaming these days. Even if I time it / track it (that's the Type A in me), I am thrilled that I've carved out some time just to gaze out the window. I like giving my brain a break. :)
Scheduled and timed daydreaming sounds perfect for you. :) We all need guilt-free daydreaming time.
I’ve somehow managed to keep up my writing goal of posting every 2 weeks on Substack this year… but that’s the only goal I was able to keep as far as creative projects. Sometimes I question how I’m prioritizing my time between different projects for a self-imposed Substack deadline, but I will say it feels satisfactory knowing I can do it.
Fantastic that you're keeping that up!
I know sometimes, I end up prioritizing my Substack over my other writing because there's a built-in sense of accountability with it, especially when I've kept it up for so long. So there have been times when I've had to ask myself, am I using my Substack as a way to 'productively' avoid my other creative work? And as much as I enjoy writing this newsletter, there's definitely been times when that has been true.
So occasionally, I have to consciously put my other writing first, and between that and Life (mostly Life) that sometimes means my Substack is a bit late. I was so worried that people would be upset, but that hasn't been the case. People give much more grace than we realize.
I was also worried that it would result in my falling off the newsletter consistency wagon for good, but also, that hasn't been the case. I was super-proud of keeping up my perfect streak in the beginning, but it's also good to remember that I can extend some grace to myself, and that there's other writing that I do that is important to me, and that sometimes I need to remind myself not to avoid it.
I don't know if this is also the case for you, but if it is, remember that it's okay to give yourself a little grace.
I look at writing as a mental exercise. And just like with any other form of exercise, it is hard (for me at least) to stay on any particular plan or schedule if it is not fun, in terms of being more rewarding to do when compared to everything else one is "supposed to do." Personally, I have found detailed goal-setting to be something I do at my day job, which is fine for that, but not something for "fun" activities.
Given that, what am I doing? I set a very broad goal to read more and write more in 2024 and pursue things I find fun or otherwise interesting. It sounds bland in a way, but it's working for me. One thing that has really sparked my writing activity is to be involved in a weekly writing prompt process. I believe there are several on Substack, I'm in mary g.'s "what now?". Most weeks I end up writing something in response to the prompt, and then most weeks I also end up writing more. And I'm reading a ton of short fiction and a few real books.
Your mileage may vary, but that is what is working for me.
Sounds like you've hit upon an excellent plan for you!
Without fail, you leave me chuckling! Fabulous read Sonal, and as always, it is reassuring to know a lot of us are in that same boat with not enough oars, too many navigators and only a teaspoon to bail with. Can I end a sentence with ‘with’?
To paraphrase Churchill (allegedly), That is something up with which I will certainly put. :)
The rule about not ending a sentence with a preposition is dumb and was imposed upon English grammar by fussy Victorians for no good reason at all. Ignore it.