Welcome to July's contribution to the IWSG...As always, please check out this link to sign up or visit the other participants.
I'm a bit later than normal with this post. Today I am feeling insecure about everything except my writing. My new book is out, it's going to be a paperback very soon (as in, should have been yesterday) and I've started a new short story.
But my of non-writing life is draining my energy and making me want to hide beneath my duvet. I'm doing an NVQ at work, and I'm worried I'm not good enough to pass; the kids are off school soon, and I'm worried they'll get bored and we'll waste the summer; I'm even worried about interest rate rises later on in the year.
And, worst of all, I'm worried about all the things I can't change, even if I worry about them in just the right way.
It's probably just time to dive into my character's problems and forget my own for a while!
I read once that there's productive worry and non productive worry, the first being something you can actually do something about, make a plan, act etc. The trick is figuring out which one of those worries you're doing. :)
ReplyDeleteMadeline @ The Shellshank Redemption
Most of it is non-productive, I know that, but that doesn't stop the worry unfortunately.
DeleteI'm sorry you're going through such a rough time at the moment. The non-writing world is sucking for me lately too so I can relate. I hope that your writing successes and excitement over Our Beautiful Child can help get you through this rough patch!
ReplyDeleteSorry you're having a rough time too. I hope we both get through unscathed! The book excitement seems so long ago - is that normal?
DeleteWriting a story is a great way to forget about real life for a while. It's probably one of the reasons we do it. Sounds like almost everyone is going through a rough patch this month. Hope the summer treats you well this year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ken. My characters usually have more problems than I ever could :-)
DeleteA friend of mine said once that "worrying about something that hasn't happened is like paying interest on a debt you may never owe." I know it's not that simple, but it's always stuck with me.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good way of looking at it. I'll try to remember it.
DeleteI find myself watching the news and seeing the unchecked turmoil and feel the cold dread of another world war and having a house full of boys of service age. So, yes, I understand anxiety out of my control. I just tell myself to breathe, pray, and keep moving my feet forward.
ReplyDeleteOne of my characters - from one of my draft novels that you read - was born out of that same anxiety in myself. Taking one day at a time is how I'm dealing with it at the moment.
DeleteGood idea! I'm sure your character has enough to worry about and it's completely different.
ReplyDeleteShe really does, the poor thing.
DeleteWriting is a great way to escape. Try not to worry too much about things that "may" happen--they could turn out better than you think.
ReplyDeleteI hope so, Sarah, thank you.
Deleteyou can indeed write worries into your character and solve them. Don't have us worry about you. All shall be good and your kids probably aren't worrying in the least. Take a walk on the beach - that has to help
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the kids would be happy to spend the summer holiday in bed!! I shall definitely take a nice long walk - the weather at the moment is amazing :-)
DeleteI know it's silly to worry about interest rates, but those are seriously on my mind at the moment. Like BIG TIME. So yeah, I don't think it's weird.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you're worrying too. I hope we both find things to distract us.
DeleteFirstly, congrats on your new book :)! I know what you mean about anxiety - I constantly worry about things, and then it turns out I needn't have bothered. I heard somewhere once that anxiety is the most useless form of emotion, because it doesn't actually allow us to DO anything!
ReplyDeleteIf writing helps you deal with your anxiety, then I'd say, full steam ahead - whenever I need to get my anxiety back under control, I bake or write :) - anything that helps take your mind off it must be a good thing. But if you're finding that although your writing is taking your mind off it for a while, but then it comes back full force when you stop, maybe you should try and take a break from it all and just relax and just think about you for a while :)? Just my two cents! Hope your summer goes well, and happy writing :)
That's good advice Rachel, thank you. I agree it's a useless emotion, a bit like having a phobia of doorknobs or something equally debilitating. I'm experimenting with smells that calm me down at the moment. Cut grass is good, but I can't carry it around with me.
DeleteI'm sorry you are having such a tough time right now. I know you will think of something for you and the kids to do so that you use every day of summer. But you have the right idea, writing always helps me cope. Sorry I can't be more inspiring, but I am thinking of you and wishing you plenty of good wishes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Murees, just having someone believe in me makes me feel better :-)
DeleteI spend a lot of time worrying over things I can't change. It's a real drain on our energy, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI wish I could turn it off now, I've had enough!
DeleteI worry about everything. It's what I do. Although, recently I started taking gaba in the mornings and I worry a lot less.
ReplyDeleteI'm useless at remembering to take pills and supplements, so that probably wouldn't work for me.
DeleteI'm sorry you're going through a tough time. I can relate, though our problems are different. When life gets hectic, it is really hard to do anything but worry and stress. I hope things get better for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chrys. It will have to get better soon, as one by one the things I'm worrying about fall away. Well, that's the hope :-)
DeleteThe good thing about writing; it's great for escaping things. I'm a real worrier, I worry about everything. Hope things get better soon!
ReplyDeleteEscaping into my writing is saving me at the moment!
DeleteHi Annalisa,
ReplyDeletePerhaps the challenges of life can actually inspire to put your concerns into writing. A therapeutic exercise that might be a positive distraction. Wishing you sunny times ahead, dear Annalisa.
Gary :)
Thanks Gary. I find it hard to write about actual events, but I do draw on real emotions.
DeleteAh, writing, the great escape. Worrying is too much a part of being a grown up, isn't it? Close the door and forget it all.
ReplyDeleteClosing the door is a great idea!
DeleteOf course you're good enough to pass! I bet you'll do well. And worrying about wasting the summer is very common, especially once July arrives. It's made me more determined to make the most of the time I have left, especially because Chicago winters prevent me from doing several things, like ride a bike by the lake.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement! Have a great summer, and forget all about the winter :-)
DeleteOh dear, a serious case of the wobbles! Don't doubt yourself, just go for the NVQ! To kids, there's no such thing as wasting the summer and as for the interest rises - WHAT INTEREST RISES??? OMG. Now I'm in a panic too! ;-)
ReplyDeleteLol, sorry, I didn't mean to share my panic, but there are rumours that they'll be going up by the end of the year.
DeleteYou should put it to good use, and transfer all your worries onto the character in your next story. It may be a good way to flesh out the character's world... his/her motivation/desires...
ReplyDeleteI've written about a worrier before - perhaps the character is influencing me!?
DeleteOkay = the NVQ is something you're qualified to take, if that's not a contradiction in terms!
ReplyDeleteThe kids should be bored - it will make them find they're own entertain,ment which will be better for them than you running around after them.
And the third thing - if you can't fix it, don't fret about it.
Right - that's your life sorted out = can I send you mine?
I think that's the nature of NVQs in general.
DeleteI never run around after my kids, which is why I sometimes feel I should make the effort :-)
I'm trying not to fret, honestly!
Your problems? Bring it on... I'm much better at giving advice than taking it ;-)
Sometimes I think my mind likes to give me things to worry about. That's why I have plenty to write about.
ReplyDeleteLong live our worries and inspiration :-)
DeleteDon't worry about the things you can't change - because you can't change them so it's wasted energy.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new book however! :)
I've been telling myself that Rebecca, but it doesn't always help. One stressful thing was completed today, so just another 5 to go! :-)
DeleteI'm a worrier too, I tell myself not to stress about the things I can't change but it doesn't seem to stop me, so I know where you are coming from. I think it would be a great idea to transfer those feelings into a writing project, it often works for me and if you can get absorbed in that it will take your mind off the other stuff.
ReplyDeleteI finished a first draft today, and I think it has helped to get lost in fiction!
DeleteStress (some of it) can help us to perform better, to plan ahead, to be a higher functioning individual. Over-confidence can make us lazy, arrogant, unproductive. Hurrah for a little stress and doubt. Just try not to let it take over. :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck in your NVQ. :) X
Thanks Shah. I agree, some stress is good. I just need to learn to manage it!
DeleteTake a deep breath. I do the same thing worrying about things I can't change. Hope this week is better!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine, looking a little better so far :-)
DeleteThat is wonderful news about your writing. Hugs on everything else.
ReplyDeleteHugs gratefully received, Sandra :-)
DeleteSo, this was sort of a "reverse" IWSG post? :) Hope things work out for you in the non-writing world. I've always thought that a little bit of worrying was o.k, just to keep you on your toes and prepare you, should something unexpected happen....as long as that worry doesn't become all encompassing.
ReplyDeleteHope the book is doing well!
Lol, yes, a reverse post - I never thought of it like that. This week is looking a bit better :-)
DeleteWhen something is draining your energy it can sometimes it can affect your writing too especially if you if writing is the escape. I've been there. Delving into a character of a story can be good get a way for awhile to clear your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteVery true :-)
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