Stress and Life
Life continues with its usual stress. My novel for the moment has come to a stop. I have so much to do with so little time to do it, and keeping up is not easy.
Do you ever feel that you are taking two steps forward then one back, or even three back? Sometimes it does feel that despite effort, I’m not achieving much.
My son has now moved school and is enjoying it. That has been one weight of my mind. He is happy and enjoying himself. As part of the school curriculum he is now learning to play the electric guitar. Our work for the school holiday is to help him catch up. I’ve never played it, so we can learn together. The school will loan him one for the school year, we just need to look after it.
My daughter is progressing well, so for now I shouldn’t be worrying about them.
I wrote a post on my other blog recently on change. I’m not good with change.
NSPCC Number day
We had number day last Friday at school. I decorated both children with numbers. Two crowns, two clocks,. T shirts, jackets and trousers. My daughter won for her class which made my efforts worth it.
Storm Ciara
The weather here in the UK has been windy with Storm Ciara, blowing up to 60 mph. Storm Dennis is now on its way, with winds forecast of 100mph. I’m trying not to worry and stress about it. Ciara was bad enough. In some some parts of the UK it has caused devastation. Has it visited you yet? Any disasters? Our bird table is for now sat in the kitchen.
Writing Submissions
I’m aware that I need to submit to more places. This is not easy when I’m trying to keep up with two blogs and get back to my novel. I’m feeling impatient, I want it completed, I want to hold my book, but I need to finish my first draft and numerous rewrites first.
Maybe I just need to aim to submit to more places this year but not have a fixed number in mind. Trying to support the children with their school work, family life and my job keep me busy.
School holiday
With the children at home, I know I’m likely to write even less. Family life is so important and they have priority. Shutting myself away is not an option as the children need me. I can only do what I can do, so things take as long as they will take.
Trying to plan things to do and people to see, I’m sure we will have a busy week. I’m looking forward to the break from work but will it actually be time to rest? I don’t think so.
Stress
I’ve been watching videos from our holiday two years ago. I look stressed, I think I was. I’m lucky that no one can read my mind. I’m often anxious, fearing something will go wrong. Tired and general mum exhaustion. It’s rare that I’m not happy, even though I look it.
The difference between a warm smiling face and the stressed out is noticeable. People are not always easy to read from appearances, and shouldn’t be judged. I need to remember this, as I’m sure I’m not the only one who is absolutely fine but feeling life’s stress. When people appear unfriendly, there is often a reason and often it is not us that has caused it. Lack of sleep, a busy job, difficult kids, the list goes on.
My reading
I’m now reading Debra Purdy Kong’s – Fatal Encryption. After reading about Casey Holland, I’m now learning about Alex Bellamy.
Part six of her Casey Holland Series – The Blade Man Is due for release tomorrow on Amazon. I have pre-ordered it.
I’m still reading Clive Barker’s – Imajica, I suspect I will reading it for a while. It is a long book.
I have purchased Ritu Bhathal’s – Marriage Unarranged, and having read so much about it, I’m looking forward to reading it.
My reading pile keeps growing as there is so much that I want to read. I walked home from school this morning reading about Alex Bellamy. I love my Kindle more than I thought I would.
I’m determined that this year to read a larger number of books, it’s just finding the time.
Writing and life
- Try not to get stressed over what you should and shouldn’t be doing. Especially if you have small children.
- Try and take time for you, time to rest and not give into stress.
- Remember that someone who appears unfriendly might just be stressed or someone else might have upset them that day.
- I’m making more of an effort to achieve my five or more a day. I’ve discovered how nice natural yogurt and fruit is. An 80g portion of frozen fruit and natural yogurt daily is supporting my aim. Through eating better, I hope I will feel less tired. Chocolate, biscuits and crisps are not the best snacks, though on the outside I can get away with them. I’m not sure what my body thinks.
- Take your writing a day at a time. If you can manage 1000 words a day then great. If just 200 then don’t stress. Life very quickly gets in the way. If you have a job and family, you are doing well to do what you are doing. In my mind the most important thing is to keep going and not give up.
Blogging recognition award
Esme at Esme Salon nominated me for a blogging recognition award, thank you Esme. At the moment I haven’t got time to fulfil the requirements of this award but I am grateful for the nomination. There are so many blogs that I enjoy reading. So many bloggers working so hard with their writing and taking pride in their amazing blogs.
Today
I’m now going to get myself some food. It will soon be time to collect the children. I will walk and read my Kindle again. I need to know what happens next to Alex Bellamy.
Storm Ciara has passed over the UK, but it’s still windy. We are now expecting Storm Dennis, forecast to be stronger than Ciara. I’m not keen on the bad weather. It’s one thing sat in the warm watching it, but walking and driving in it is not fun at all.
How is the weather where you are? And how are you balancing your life and writing?
Here is my post with ideas to help overcome stress
My son, reading and life poetry – with book links.
For more see, Knowing what to write, writing and life
