Today’s newsletter is about thinking more deeply about your routines and actions vs. what you THINK you need to accomplish. For me, it may be time to rethink my memoir.
I think it's so easy to get really motivated for the thrill of finishing a grandiose goal that we often forget that little actions over time can yield big returns. For what it's worth, I don't think anyone here would judge you for taking five years to write a book (it's an emotionally-taxing process!) and whatever format you choose to publish in, I know I will be reading.
You wrote exactly how I’ve been feeling. I love the idea of posting chapters and publishing on Substack. I feel like I’ve been writing my memoir forever and the structure and even completely finishing one chapter seems impossible. Thank you for sharing this 🙏
I also really appreciate your honesty and openness about this. Sometimes I feel that I should be sitting down for this long block or stretch of time to just get it all out but that feels way more restrictive and I don’t get anything done. So I love the idea and mindset shift of a shorter amount of time. Like little creative bursts, and if it goes further great and if not, don’t have to stress about it. Just really appreciate this overall perspective and mindset a lot. Thanks for sharing!
Making the choice to stop or pivot a creative piece with potential is really a gut-wrenching part of the writing process that many don't see. I'm glad you shared the struggle. Just because you can detail the why doesn't make it any easier, either. As a writer, I was practically expected to share the journey of losing my husband to cancer (and, like you, thought Substack was a great place to dribble out chapters for the family and friends who wanted to hear), but eventually realized that the story I was telling was no longer the part of my life journey that I wanted to write about. (I wrote about the giving up, too: https://bethmorrow.substack.com/p/last-day-of-august-update)
Allow yourself to deeply consider your options, then pivot or quit, and be OK with what you choose. When you love writing and words won't come, maybe it's just the choice of what you're sharing that needs to shift so that you can more deeply embrace the process. Good luck finding what it is that makes your creative heart sing again.
Hi Claire, I appreciate this behind-the-scenes look at your process as someone who aspires to write a few books, one potentially being a memoir. From reading your words, your heart could be calling you to write on a different topic at the moment. Just because you don't feel energized with writing your memoir now doesn't mean you have to put it away forever; maybe take a break and come back to it when it feels right for you. Whatever you decide, I'm sure the project will turn out wonderful.
My version of 15mins a day is filling up my sketchbook. It’s not exactly everyday, but I’m just telling myself to draw or paint something for 10-15 mins and usually once I start I don’t want to stop. My last sketchbook took me 10 years to fill 😂 (bought it after my middle was born 2014, and just finished it Jan 2024) I want to fill this new one in about a month!
I know dragging out a project can be exhausting, but I’m also sure that a memoir is so emotionally-taxing! Maybe even a break to work on something else for a while could renew the energy or give some fresh perspective.
I completely understand your thought process on this, and I would read anything you write, regardless of what form it takes!
Right now, my "15 minutes" involves moving my body. I've had to be honest with myself about how my lack of motivation is actually a lack of prioritization. If I don't have to be accountable to anyone else, then I will likely never do it. So I'm in the habit of seeing a personal trainer once per week and doing 15 minutes of physical therapy exercises when I can (and frankly, that's been slipping too). I'm hoping to nail down a routine I can stick to, without the stress of perfection. It's been awful weather recently, and I know my activity level will pick up when the sun comes out :)
I appreciate your writing, Claire! And this piece struck me. The honesty of your feelings behind your decisions has helped me consider my own choices. I do unfocused morning pages most every day but avoid the real writing that’s supposed to come next. I have had some success setting a timer for more than 15 minutes but am not consistent. You’ve inspired me to start a 15 minute daily practice.
I think it's so easy to get really motivated for the thrill of finishing a grandiose goal that we often forget that little actions over time can yield big returns. For what it's worth, I don't think anyone here would judge you for taking five years to write a book (it's an emotionally-taxing process!) and whatever format you choose to publish in, I know I will be reading.
You wrote exactly how I’ve been feeling. I love the idea of posting chapters and publishing on Substack. I feel like I’ve been writing my memoir forever and the structure and even completely finishing one chapter seems impossible. Thank you for sharing this 🙏
I also really appreciate your honesty and openness about this. Sometimes I feel that I should be sitting down for this long block or stretch of time to just get it all out but that feels way more restrictive and I don’t get anything done. So I love the idea and mindset shift of a shorter amount of time. Like little creative bursts, and if it goes further great and if not, don’t have to stress about it. Just really appreciate this overall perspective and mindset a lot. Thanks for sharing!
Making the choice to stop or pivot a creative piece with potential is really a gut-wrenching part of the writing process that many don't see. I'm glad you shared the struggle. Just because you can detail the why doesn't make it any easier, either. As a writer, I was practically expected to share the journey of losing my husband to cancer (and, like you, thought Substack was a great place to dribble out chapters for the family and friends who wanted to hear), but eventually realized that the story I was telling was no longer the part of my life journey that I wanted to write about. (I wrote about the giving up, too: https://bethmorrow.substack.com/p/last-day-of-august-update)
Allow yourself to deeply consider your options, then pivot or quit, and be OK with what you choose. When you love writing and words won't come, maybe it's just the choice of what you're sharing that needs to shift so that you can more deeply embrace the process. Good luck finding what it is that makes your creative heart sing again.
Hi Claire, I appreciate this behind-the-scenes look at your process as someone who aspires to write a few books, one potentially being a memoir. From reading your words, your heart could be calling you to write on a different topic at the moment. Just because you don't feel energized with writing your memoir now doesn't mean you have to put it away forever; maybe take a break and come back to it when it feels right for you. Whatever you decide, I'm sure the project will turn out wonderful.
My version of 15mins a day is filling up my sketchbook. It’s not exactly everyday, but I’m just telling myself to draw or paint something for 10-15 mins and usually once I start I don’t want to stop. My last sketchbook took me 10 years to fill 😂 (bought it after my middle was born 2014, and just finished it Jan 2024) I want to fill this new one in about a month!
I know dragging out a project can be exhausting, but I’m also sure that a memoir is so emotionally-taxing! Maybe even a break to work on something else for a while could renew the energy or give some fresh perspective.
I completely understand your thought process on this, and I would read anything you write, regardless of what form it takes!
Right now, my "15 minutes" involves moving my body. I've had to be honest with myself about how my lack of motivation is actually a lack of prioritization. If I don't have to be accountable to anyone else, then I will likely never do it. So I'm in the habit of seeing a personal trainer once per week and doing 15 minutes of physical therapy exercises when I can (and frankly, that's been slipping too). I'm hoping to nail down a routine I can stick to, without the stress of perfection. It's been awful weather recently, and I know my activity level will pick up when the sun comes out :)
I appreciate your writing, Claire! And this piece struck me. The honesty of your feelings behind your decisions has helped me consider my own choices. I do unfocused morning pages most every day but avoid the real writing that’s supposed to come next. I have had some success setting a timer for more than 15 minutes but am not consistent. You’ve inspired me to start a 15 minute daily practice.
Love the conversations in this room!