Ever since I started writing and self publishing upon retirement (at this point over 15 years ago) I promised myself that I would do it for my own pleasure not some duty. Therefore, I have tried to be ok with simply skipping days, or being ok with only writing a little, when I didn't feel like doing it. But I have noticed in the last five years (starting with Covid and turning 70), with increased difficulties of old age and some minor ailments, that my attitude towards the days when I decided I really wasn't up for writing, or the amount of time I was willing to sit and work on my writing, had changed, and that occasionally I was finding myself beating myself up for not spending the time.
Because of my commitment not to turn the writing into a duty, I have paid attention to this feeling. One of the things I did was giving my self permission to taking a brief "vacation" from writing, the longest being 4 months last year.
But I feel like I am moving back into a better place, with the writing and reclaiming both the joy in doing it, but also the willingness to accept that I can not expect to be as productive as I was in my sixties.
As I have shared in my newsletter, I think one of the things that's helped me change my attitude is the discovery that I can in fact make dictation work for me. This helps solve some of the physical obstacles to writing, but it also seems to speed up the process of getting the story down, which means that if I'm really only good for an hour or two of writing a day, I can get a lot more on the page--which feel more rewarding.
But the other thing that I did find helpful, which in someways is sort of like you showing up to the art class is the benefit I've found of attending the once-a- week zoom cowriting sessions that one of the substack authors I follow offers. I am finding myself enjoying those two hours when I am sitting on zoom and seeing between 4 to 6 or seven other people working--some of them writing some, of them thinking, some of them actually doing artwork (or even procrastinating) That companionship, combined with the sort of external accountability of others seeing me, means that those two hours go by quite fast, and are quite productive. I have then found that I can often maintain the momentum that started in those two hours.
Anyway, I do always enjoy hearing from you, loved looking at your painting, imagining living in a place with rain, and wind, and fall colors...even if they aren't as bright this year!
Thank you as ever Louisa for you wise words. I know what you mean about writing being a pleasure and not becoming a chore. I did miss it when I broke my arm but like you found dictation a help to get ideas down. I must remember to use it for notes when I have ideas too. I think we all have our writing ways, mine is mainly on the iPad in my chair. Which goes against the normal chair, I am thinking about how to change.
I like you do like doing writing, or art, with a group of like minded people. Both can be quite solitary activities. 😘😘
Love your leaves. Such a great composition. I agree with you ; art is the only thing where I get completely absorbed and lost in the moment . Keep going with your best pastels x
I'd love to try freestyle painting, but have only done painting by numbers! I do love cross stitch though and I've been doing that whilst listening to podcasts recently. I've got no excuses in terms of time, but I'm getting very proficient at silencing my inner critic after many years which is a real result. Love your painting Jo 😘
Thank you Karen, pastels are messy, the dust, but lively to fiddle around with, and make marks, I am a messy disorganised person and they seem to fit me, I love cross stitch but can never get it neat. 🤔😘😘
The dogs need their bagpipes tuning? Oh, and Algernon. Is he also wearing a deep red velvet jacket or is he not such a dandy?
He did wear a grey velvet one but I think I will change it to a red one now 😁😘
Wonderful, grey is so last year dahhhhhhhrrrrling :-D
Ever since I started writing and self publishing upon retirement (at this point over 15 years ago) I promised myself that I would do it for my own pleasure not some duty. Therefore, I have tried to be ok with simply skipping days, or being ok with only writing a little, when I didn't feel like doing it. But I have noticed in the last five years (starting with Covid and turning 70), with increased difficulties of old age and some minor ailments, that my attitude towards the days when I decided I really wasn't up for writing, or the amount of time I was willing to sit and work on my writing, had changed, and that occasionally I was finding myself beating myself up for not spending the time.
Because of my commitment not to turn the writing into a duty, I have paid attention to this feeling. One of the things I did was giving my self permission to taking a brief "vacation" from writing, the longest being 4 months last year.
But I feel like I am moving back into a better place, with the writing and reclaiming both the joy in doing it, but also the willingness to accept that I can not expect to be as productive as I was in my sixties.
As I have shared in my newsletter, I think one of the things that's helped me change my attitude is the discovery that I can in fact make dictation work for me. This helps solve some of the physical obstacles to writing, but it also seems to speed up the process of getting the story down, which means that if I'm really only good for an hour or two of writing a day, I can get a lot more on the page--which feel more rewarding.
But the other thing that I did find helpful, which in someways is sort of like you showing up to the art class is the benefit I've found of attending the once-a- week zoom cowriting sessions that one of the substack authors I follow offers. I am finding myself enjoying those two hours when I am sitting on zoom and seeing between 4 to 6 or seven other people working--some of them writing some, of them thinking, some of them actually doing artwork (or even procrastinating) That companionship, combined with the sort of external accountability of others seeing me, means that those two hours go by quite fast, and are quite productive. I have then found that I can often maintain the momentum that started in those two hours.
Anyway, I do always enjoy hearing from you, loved looking at your painting, imagining living in a place with rain, and wind, and fall colors...even if they aren't as bright this year!
Thank you as ever Louisa for you wise words. I know what you mean about writing being a pleasure and not becoming a chore. I did miss it when I broke my arm but like you found dictation a help to get ideas down. I must remember to use it for notes when I have ideas too. I think we all have our writing ways, mine is mainly on the iPad in my chair. Which goes against the normal chair, I am thinking about how to change.
I like you do like doing writing, or art, with a group of like minded people. Both can be quite solitary activities. 😘😘
Good for you for airing all your artistic bents!
Thank you Susannah 😘
Wow! An artist as well as a writer. I am so impressed! x
I wouldn't go that far Rosy, but thank you very much 😘😘
The picture is really lovely! I love drawing with pencil, but I hardly do it!
Thanks Nicola, there is something so calming about drawing and painting 😘😘
Wonderful colours. I love this.
Thank you Judith, the pastels make all the difference 😘😘
Love your leaves. Such a great composition. I agree with you ; art is the only thing where I get completely absorbed and lost in the moment . Keep going with your best pastels x
Thank you Sharon, my best pastels must stay out if the box. 😘😘
I'd love to try freestyle painting, but have only done painting by numbers! I do love cross stitch though and I've been doing that whilst listening to podcasts recently. I've got no excuses in terms of time, but I'm getting very proficient at silencing my inner critic after many years which is a real result. Love your painting Jo 😘
Thank you Karen, pastels are messy, the dust, but lively to fiddle around with, and make marks, I am a messy disorganised person and they seem to fit me, I love cross stitch but can never get it neat. 🤔😘😘