Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash
In retirement, writing has been all encompassing. It fills my mind and thoughts. Ideas for writing on my blog are never a problem! Ever. The problem is often corralling them, editing and keeping the rabbit trails to a minimum!
But regarding where I write, the most common place I write is on the couch. I have a pretty desk I bought when I started writing. I just don’t use it.
The most common place I write is on the couch. I have a pretty desk I bought when I started writing. I just don't use it. Share on XIt is now cleaned off but the office still isn’t fully moved in. There are a few boxes that haven’t been emptied. If I work there, I have to look at more work to do! I have spent hours and hours clearing out that office. Since my husband’s stroke, he won’t be able to finish the job so that is now added to my list.
Doing writing or writing-related work when I should be enjoying family time…or doing other things is a serious problem for me
Another worrisome thing that happens is that I am doing a lot of writing-related work when I should not be. I should be off the computer and enjoying uninterrupted time with my husband like I did last night. Or out exercising or cleaning the house or any of a million things!
I tend to go on jags like I have been this week as I am working on 2 overlapping online courses, this one and one preparing a 31 day series. I am writing my tail off right now!
It is stretching me in ways I haven’t been stretched. It is good. But a lot of things are falling by the wayside that I will have to catch up on in a day or two…big time!
What am I going to change?
I am going to have to develop more of a scheduled way of writing. It is so NOT me! I tend to do things is jags. I write in jags. I do housework in jags. I do exercise in jags. ( A few months on. A year off!) I do lots of things in jags.
But I see the value of developing a writing LIFE. I’m going to incorporate the pomedoro technique to get more exercise in my life…shorter but more frequent. I think it will keep me more aware of the fact that I am writing during a given period, not browsing the net where my rabbit trail brain takes me!
It will also allow me to make time to take off from writing and spend uninterrupted time with family as well as time for chores and exercise, to name a few. I can get a lot of work done in 25 minutes spent on housework! Setting the timer is great motivation for me.
Incorporate the Pomedoro technique to bring balance to my writing life:exercise, free time & completing chores. Share on XI also see the value and benefit of working at my desk. I will have to get that office in better shape so I can use it as a good work area.
I see the value & benefit of working at my desk. I will have to get that office in shape to use as a work area. Share on XI see I have miles to go before I sleep. But it will be well worth it.
Join me at Kate Motaung’s blog for day 2 of our series On Being a Writer. If you are inclined join our group and/or the discussion. We’d love to have you. The book is available there as well. It is a delightful group of people so far.
OH Ladies, I am the Queen of Forgetfulness. lol
And I write in my recliner. Sitting for very long at the desk bother my sciatica. I find his easier on my body.
I really like your mission statement, Martha!
hi judy. i’m enjoying a lot of people in the same boat as i am:) old enough to have issues with backs and aches and pains:) it’s a sign we had a number of birthdays!
thanks re the mission statement judy. someone helped me write it up a couple of years ago. i am awful at doing that sort of thing. it helped me a lot! as you can see, i’m not very good at brief/concise:) my first blog was titled scraps and rambles but i think the title was a turnoff for many of the people i wanted to have read it:) so i changed:)
Funny thing….my couch is often my writing space too!!
hi tara, nice to see you:) yes, i’m sure i’m not alone. i know there are others who write on their couches too:) we’re a great sorority:)
As I said in my blog post, I’ve developed a basic method that is working for me. In it, I usually complete one task before moving on to another, as taught in the Pomedora technique you mentioned. But I like the idea of using a timer to break up the work. It would be good for me physically to get up and walk around for a few minutes, every 25 to 30 minutes, and it would help me not run into problems like the one I had yesterday, where I got so involved in my writing that I totally forgot I had a load of clothes in the washer, until I was getting ready for bed. Thanks for posting the link to the brief video about this time management technique.
nice to meet you barbara:) without a timer, i forget everything…especially laundry that is in the washer/dryer. i tho’t it would be helpful for those who hadn’t heard about the pomedoro method to see a link. it was referred to during our retreat once.