I make no secret of the fact that I have a day job in addition to writing my novels. Some in the publishing community say it means I don’t take my dreams seriously enough. My children, however, have told me once or twice that they enjoy eating. As their voices are typically loudest in my ear, I tend to listen to them more than faceless critics. That said, it also helps that I enjoy my day job too.
While my day job has a corporate headquarters, its staff are scattered across North America. This has allowed me to meet and interact with people coming from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences, which has been an even bigger plus. I’ve also since learned that I am one of many who have chosen to give a new career a chance.
For example, I learned the other day that one of our most recent hires was a spin instructor in her once-upon-a-time past professional life. It came up in conversation when she mentioned she was stiff and was shocked by how out of shape she’d become. She also mentioned how difficult it was to get back into a workout routine after taking an extended absence.
It occurred to me that I could say the same about my blog writing habits.
I’d been incredibly disciplined for several years. I’d written even when I could barely summon the energy to get out of bed thanks to a fever. I’d strung words together in between birthday parties and bedtimes. I’d filled page after page time and time again. I’d told myself once the manuscript was done getting back into the blogging habit would be easy.
It is not. It’s not that I’ve forgotten the formula. If anything, I know what needs to be done better than I did before. However, I’ve forgotten how to properly warm-up. That said, I’m here today. I showed up. I followed my own former instructions.
I might not be fit enough to teach a class at the moment, but I’ve taken my first step toward getting back into shape. And when it comes to writing, or pretty much anything else for that matter, there is a lot more you can accomplish by trying than by giving in to all the many excuses to hold it off another day.
Allie Potts Writes 
I think blogging is like anything else, Allie, it has to be a priority for the blogger to give it the time it needs to be successful. When you move away from it, it goes to the back of your mind and is no longer a priority. You don’t have to blog that often, maybe one a week would work for you.
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Once a week was what I was doing before and that worked very well for me for a long time. I just have to re-establish some habits.
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I’ve heard it said that if you want something done, ask a busy person. I guess the same thing could be said for getting into shape – you’ll figure it out!
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Thanks. I like to think I will too, but it’s going to take a lot of re-conditioning
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Way to go, Allie P. And I know what you mean. I’ve done some “intermittent fasting” from my blog from time to time, losing the once-a-week groove I used to have. The longer you go, the harder it is to get back into it.
But I’m glad you’re here!! 🙂 I hope you’re back again soon!
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Ha! I am going to henceforth refer to it as intermittent fasting as well. That makes it sound so much more intentional and healthy sounding than me being too lazy to sit an extra two or three hours in front of a computer screen.
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Ah, my weekend, I leave them blank as the Monday thru Friday intense hospital work leaves me weary and uninspired in the evening. Now, blogging … I’ve had some consistency. It’s novel writing ( the first took 4 years to do draft #1, 2, 3, than the final) that’s suffered.
So here I am, a free weekend, a beautiful Florida day, seventy degrees outside, slight wind and sunny – sitting inside on the porch, slowly getting the writing wheels started again.
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It’s a process, isn’t it? (I’m envious of your weather)
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I need to follow your example with the writing… it keeps getting put off and while I might have reasons they’re also excuses.
It’s good to see you 🙂
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I won’t say I’m back, because I might not be, but it is good to be seen. I know what you mean though. Blink and months or years go by.
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That’s the thing I find… time fly’s by too quickly. Whether back or not thanks for popping in 🙂
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Eh. I think you know where I stand on blogging but, as this is a blog, I won’t say it outright. Though…I suppose I just sort of did. Good to see you here. And here you are. That’s the most important thing. You said it: You. Showed. Up. That’s it.
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LOL!
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Funny, I’ve been making more of an effort to get back into blog-writing shape, too. Even briefly considered the idea of a post every day in November, but quickly shelved that plan. No need to get carried away now, is there?!
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Every day? That’s just crazy talk
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I didn’t realize that you’d not been blogging regularly (since I myself have been away) – but with books to write that’s quite understandable. I left because besides not having anything more to say at the time I found I lacked the motivation, which was probably as a result of having nothing to say.
I knew that I would eventually return when I was ready, but a recent motivational quote about taking the first step finally galvanized me. I’ve come back to blogging purely for the joy I know it brings me and to try and keep the brain sharp. I’ll write when I have something to say and when I think my few followers might enjoy it – and not because a week has passed. And I won’t go down the rabbit hole of chasing “likes” and “follows” again.
So I’m catching up with all the persons whose blogs I loved and looking around for more. Sorry to talk your ear off, but you’re a great listener.
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Oh it’s so nice to hear from you again! I agree, blogging is brutal when you just aren’t feeling the urge to share. I started to feel a bit of that too. Looking forward to catching back up!
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