4 Take Away’s from 2 Months Away From Medium
It’s been a while since I’ve actually put pens to paper, fingers to keyboard. I think very few artists choose to walk away for a long period of time. It’s a slow compromise. One day after the other, until one day you wake up and realize that you haven’t done what you love most for nearly two months.
There were a few reasons I disappeared. I could easily blame depression or a life changing car accident earlier this month. I could state that it was overwhelm at a self-appointed goal or a slow burn out.
However, excuses don’t amount to much. As Yoda said, “do or do not, there is no try”.
During the past two months, a few key themes have been swirling around in endless abyss of my mind. That’s what I want to share today.
Writing is essential… especially when depression sets in
I would imagine that I’m not the only one who does this, but when depression sets in, I shut down completely. I do the bare minimum required of me and work strips me of any possible energy.
It’s at those times that self-care is absolutely crucial. Self care doesn’t have to be big and fancy. It’s the small acts of kindness that we extend to ourselves that matter.
Writing is a kindness that speaks to the heart. It brings out the spark in us that could ignite into a small fire. It distracts us by using the thoughts and processes into building something and connecting with our purpose.
That fire, could continue burning all day long.
Outside creative pursuits stirs the fire for our writing
When unable to write, perhaps one of the best ways to deal is to start doing something else creative. Try photo challenges, scrapbooking, coloring, painting or even just mixing and matching different outfits in your closet.
The change often provides insight, relaxes us and opens the creativity portal that we had thought was shut against us. It also allows us to connect with creativity on a different level. It challenges us to think outside the box, and when we get back to writing, it becomes easier.
Give Yourself a Break When You Need One
You are not a content machine. When you’ve been going hard for days, weeks or even months, know when to rest.
There is a difference between resting and quitting. Rests will allow for energy to return and the creativity to be recharged. There is no perfect timing for a break. For some, it will take a few days, for others it will take anywhere from a month to a year.
Quitting, if writing is meant to be part of your life will only breed regret. Looking back, there are times I quit creativity to chase other things. I often wonder where I would have been if I had only stuck with the pursuit. I know that my work would be better. I know that I would have had more time to engage in what I love
If Writing is Supposed to be Your Love, It’ll Find You Again
Creative ideas seek through the universe to find a partner. After a while of not writing, you feel it. You begin to feel the distance. It begins to bother you until you pick the pen back up.
That’s why I came back to this space. Because the longer I stayed away, the more it bothered me. For me, writing is essential. I feel more alive when putting pen to paper, fingers to keyboard. Writing is essential. I also enjoy the exchanging of ideas, the inspiration from great writers on the platform and the collaboration in the community.
It feels good to be back to doing what I feel, like many of us feel, I was meant to do. I’m glad to be back at my post. I’ve missed this community and the opportunity to share my heart.
