We all have multiple roles in our lives. I am a mom of two young children, I'm a wife of over 17 years, I'm a daughter (and daughter-in-law), a friend, a sister (and sister-in-law), an aunt, a niece. Those are relationship roles that I juggle, and then there are other roles like maintaining the home and all that that entails.
One of the roles that has been greatly neglected in my life for some time now is that of being a writer. (My husband reminds me, however, that this blog is a writing outlet for me...and that's true...but I'm talking about something bigger here.)
When I met with a friend recently, she said that maybe I'm just not really wanting to write as much right now because of focusing on raising my kids (because if I really wanted to write, she explained, then I would find the time/energy for it). That might be true to an extent--but I realize that my relationship with writing is food for my soul. True, relationships are food for the soul, too. But, writing is different. Writing is my chocolate.
I have high expectations of myself. I am a perfectionist. Those aren't unexpected traits of a person of a creative nature. I often forget that not everyone is a writer. Not everyone looks at things the way that I do. We all look at the world through our own glasses based on our experiences and surroundings. I fall in to the trap, periodically, of questioning whether anyone would be interested in MY experiences or MY surroundings...so my writing suffers or stalls. Questioning oneself, or should I say doubting oneself, is not a good thing.
What do you do when something that is an integral part of your being (as I feel writing is to me) is being neglected?
Must we always be in complete balance and exert equal time and energy to all of our relationships, roles and passions? Aren't there ebbs and flows in life where certain things (or, dare I say, even people/relationships) are at the bottom of the list--but the key is that they are still ON the list? It's just not humanly possible to do it all, be it all, give it all, ALL the time! Somethings gotta give...and, thus, I remind myself to: give myself a break, write when I can, find other creative outlets, give myself a break again, and be prepared to be inspired because one day (maybe tomorrow, maybe 5 years from now) the flood gates are going to open and my fingers will be raw from all the typing!
4 comments:
What amazing timing - you speak my words. I too love to write and publish my blog, but lately I'm stretched way too thin and it's become a bit of a chore. Not at all what I wanted. "Myth" is a nice word for what life balance is. "BS" is another. We all just do the best we can. I adore my children, but I also look forward to a time when they're more independent and I have a little more freedom.
Hang in there!
Meg, isn't validation and connection such a wonderful thing? Thanks for your words (I emailed you, too.)
I find that in times of busy schedules and stress in my life, my writing is the first thing to fall off my priority listless. However, ironically, when I write I tend to have less stress and am at peace with life and those around me. It is a constant issue of balance, that's for sure! In any case, keep it up. I enjoy your blog and your writing!
Thanks, Candice--good to hear from you, and keep up on your writing. You have a gift and a message worth sharing!
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