At the beginning of the year, when I decided that I needed to re-enter the writing world, I was a little bit overwhelmed by just how much information was out there to digest. Still, I can be a very, very stubborn person when I want to be, and rather than slow down, admit defeat, or even try to break up all the parts logically, I kept going full speed ahead. This lead, understandably, to repeated burn out.
If there is something that the last year plus has taught me, it’s that one of the most important things we can do to take care of ourselves is to be aware of our own mental health. Who knew that all these thoughts that kept backing up behind my own stubborn ambition would come out to force the issue of being addressed at the start of Mental Health Awareness Month. I struggled mightily with my own sense of calm and peace after suffering Long COVID – I won’t lie, some days I still do – but writing has been one of the best outlets for me. Unfortunately, the wholehearted decision to make writing a major factor again didn’t quite keep everything in balance.
The last few weeks, I’ve largely been silent when it comes to writing, reading, commenting, and interacting with the writing world in general. I needed time – time to absorb everything that had happened, everything I had been putting off, and time to finally decide on a plan. It’s the reality of life that those of us would-be writers also have to balance fully lives outside of writing. We have jobs, friends, other hobbies, other obligations – we have to adult even when we might not want to. And that is what sets us apart. We would-be writers – we know we need to write, we know we love to write, but at times the writing can become a liability if it isn’t recognized for all of it’s many beautiful, complicated facets.
Having finally been able to take a necessary step back and just breathe has helped me to realize that with all the adulting responsibilities, I need to take everything into account, including how much time I really have (instead of how much I can convince myself I have), and how much time I need to just be me. These ideas are slowly starting to form a more concrete plan. I’m finally starting to get a good, solid grasp of my way forward, and that includes where this blog will be going.
Step 1 – Recognize that I am a would-be writer, and that I need to write to keep my own sense of balance.
Step 2 – Instead of focusing all my energy on a new project to start the self-publishing world off right with, I need to focus on one that I’ve done the hard work on already (editing, formatting, etc.)
Step 3 – Break down all the steps so far, share them with the world so that other would-be writers can learn from my mistakes.
Step 4 – Make new mistakes, make new friends, and start the next chapter of getting Through the Looking Glass out into to the world.
Step 5 – Understand that limitations are not a bad thing, rather a set of guidelines to be used to keep me on plan.
My main goal in all of this is to first and foremost, learn what I need to be doing to be successful in the written world. My second goal is to share all of that with my fellow would-be writers. If anyone has any other similar hiccups, speed bumps, or detours, please feel free to share.
Until next time –
L.E.
Ramblings of a Would-Be Writer 
A would-be writer? You’re ALREADY a writer. Judging from your blog post, you write much better than some of my writer friends, and that’s not an exaggeration. I’m wishing you all the best on this journey. And when in doubt, just keep writing!
LikeLike