In the spirit of end-of-year reminiscence and thoughtful self-assessment, I realized yesterday that my closet held beautiful, exotic clothing that I’ve collected over several decades. Clothing that is lovely to look at, but clothing I don’t wear, or am uncomfortable in when I do.
The clothes don’t belong in my closet. Not because I don’t like them, but because they don’t look good on me anymore.
The realization was painful.
My attachment to the idea that an exotic style was “me” was strong. So strong that I didn’t realize the kind of energy drain created every time I opened the closet door or wore something that was beautiful, but oddly (I thought) uncomfortable.
I bit the bullet of loss, and post-cleaning, felt energized and exhilarated!
It reminded me of aspects of my writing life. Because I’ve cultivated and learned a positive attitude toward writer’s block as a signal rather than a disastrous event, my first question to myself is whether something in my writing environment needs changing.
Writer’s block is not always a more complex psychological issue.
We get attached to what “works” for us and may not notice when it has stopped working.
This year I’ve seen that writing in a cafe instead of in the house, changing from computer to pad and pen, trading pen for pencil, realizing that something I’m working on is strictly from my head with some “shoulds” involved, instead of a story that’s close to my heart, have all had significant and positive effect on my writing.
Still, I don’t see those changes as permanent or “always.” Last week I had no access to a car, and had an extremely productive five days on my computer in the house – something I’d figured I couldn’t do with this current work-in-progress.
I’m not talking about wild and frequent swings in what you’re doing and how you do it. But I am validating the absolute individuality of each writer’s story and writing habits.
What works for you might not work for me.
What’s more: what works for you might not work for you always.
But sometimes the smaller things drain our energy as well, when they are not in sync with what we may need at the moment.
My beautiful, flowing purple, green and teal outfit is still gorgeous. But not on me.
Check in with yourself from time to time. Use writing trouble as an invitation to explore.
We are not only truly, and wonderfully, different from one another. We are different from the self we may have been at another time of life.
Where are you on the spectrum of “you”? Have you made smaller, practical or behavioral changes this year that have energized and enhanced your writing life?
