I’ve always been the kind of gal who likes a finished product. I would often find myself thinking and saying, “I’ll be so happy when this dress is done,” or, “I’ll be so happy when we have grass in our yard,” or, “I’ll be so happy when my kid is out of diapers.” But that attitude translated into my writing. I thought I would be so happy when my book was done, when it was published, and when it was on the shelves.
Recently, I struggled with a long spell of writer’s block. I don’t know if it was burnout or what, but for several months my mind was completely blank. It was very frustrating.
Now I’ve got that spark back, and I’m so thankful! I’m just so happy to be writing, I don’t care anymore that I have a long writing road ahead of me. I’m planning to enjoy the entire ride, and I’m excited. It’s fun to have plot ideas run through my mind, I look forward to the time of day I can sit and type them into my computer. It’s fun to comb through and edit things to make my writing the best it can be, and to research so I can learn along the way.
This experience has helped me realize that all the finished products and accomplishments I achieve won’t make me happy, but I am happy when I enjoy the journey along the way, in all aspects of my life.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Happiness in the Journey
Posted by Jillayne Clements at 8:41 AM
Labels: enjoy the journey, happiness
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1 comments:
I, too, struggle with enjoying the journey. At a couple writing conferences I've attended this year, it has been brought up that we are a very results based society. This type of pressure is especially difficult for creative people, because we don't necessarily have a "result" or "finished product" at the end of the day.
I admire you that you can enjoy editing. I learn a lot, but I can't say I'm at the enjoyment stage yet.
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