Note: This post is by Positive Writer contributor, Nicole Gulotta. She’s the author of Eat This Poem: A Literary Feast of Recipes Inspired by Poetry, and pens a blog by the same name. Say hello on Twitter or Instagram.
If you’re struggling to maintain a consistent journal practice, it probably has nothing to do with your commitment. It’s all about choosing the best method for your lifestyle.
When you feel like you can’t write another word, or the words you are writing don’t feel fresh and inspiring, it’s time to leave your comfort zone.
If you have a commute longer than 15 minutes, you’ve probably dreamed about living within walking distance.
Maybe you’ve added up the hours you’d save in a week if you didn’t have to drive or take the subway. Maybe you’ve resented your job for demanding even more of your time that could otherwise be spent pursuing other interests. Maybe you’d prefer to be exercising, grocery shopping, or spending time with your children instead of commuting. We’ve all been there.
But did you know that there’s a silver lining to commuting?
Photo Credit: CC By Slightly Everything
Does writing ever feel like running a race that you’ll never finish?
Even if you’re not an athlete, writers can learn a lot from the discipline and training methods of distance runners. They train for endurance, not speed, and over the long course of your writing career, you’ll need plenty of perseverance to overcome the challenges you’ll face around each turn.
This doesn’t mean you’ll never win a race. A publication or two will give you energy, and completing a story will inspire you to start the next one, but there will be setbacks. Rejection, lack of motivation, and fear are always lurking on the sidelines.
Photo Cred: Dreamstime
Despite the numerous benefits social media affords writers, you’ve probably thrown up your hands a time or two, vowing to close your accounts and hibernate.
After all, it’s impossible to keep up with the ever-evolving stream of articles, photos, and conversations that exist on Twitter every day. And that’s just one social media account! Add Pinterest, Google+, Facebook, or other tools to the fold, and our time and attention are easily strained. Don’t give up…
I don’t have time.
Have you ever used this excuse to avoid pursuing a writing project?
We live in a distracting world, and can easily get off track despite our good intentions.
Creative Commons by Mpclemens