We are at the end of our first work week in the new year. And maybe you feel glorious – like you achieved Herculean tasks and put yourself on the road to greatness.
I feel, meh.
I did some things, to my credit. I am working in a new space – an office/shed we built in our backyard. And as with all changes, it’s going to take a minute to move in and take ownership (of both idea and space). The thing I’m grateful for is not being here, but for no longer being in our living room, and having a real living room again. It becomes a lovely space without the desk, printer and all the work-a-bilia.
I was required this week to counsel myself through the grand expectations of a new year, new workspace and new clients. There is so much to do. And yet… meh.
You?
No push. No rush.
I said this weird phrase to myself 100 times this week. I like the juxtaposition of the two different “u” sounds, despite the same spelling. English is good. Don’t you think? But I also like the reminder to not push myself.
WH-A-A-A-T?
Can entrepreneurs get away with that? Can writers just not push? What will happen? Will they ever get their work done?
And no RUSH? Aren’t we all writing under the descending axe of time?
No push. No rush. Why? Why is that reasonable advice? Bec pushing and rushing come from your ego, worrying about your value, fretting about your worth, scolding you to do more so you can feel better.
You’re perfect as you are. Your ideas will come to you (pull) and rush in to your head and through your fingers onto the screen, if you let them.
And what keeps them bottled up? That checkpoint in your head – that troll.
Is this good? Is this enough?
That simple question checks all action. And the first week of a new year, we are all subject to comparisons in our heads?
Am I good? Am I enough?
With the new year, and grand resolutions declared on FB, and people around you losing 20 pounds already, or exercising every day so far, you can’t help but feel like you’re already behind. Already too far gone. So come on already. Hurry up. OH MY GOD, says that troll.
We’re writers. We answer a calling – and it will push and rush us sometimes. But we can neither push or rush it, effectively. We can push ourselves to be present. To sit down, to permit work to happen. And often when we do that, beautiful things come. A creative habit permits creativity to show up habitually.
And it feels Good. And it is Enough.
This simple thought “No push, no rush,” engaged my inner linguist and reminded my inner child that I don’t need to heed my inner bully’s constant fears and exhortations to push myself, rush to finish new year needs – like a 2022 writing plan or my taxes. I can do those things as inspiration dictates, and inspiration will come and push me. Rush me. Bec I am just showing up for myself and my work.
More than ever, I am grateful to my writing group showing up daily to write as a group. Each present for the other. Each writing their own thing. Each nudging us toward the habit and work that calls us. If you want to write with a group several times a week, contact me. We can include you in our Mighty Writers Club. Several new writers have joined us for the new year. It’s a good time to come in to the group.
Meanwhile – if you haven’t already – join the Write Without the Fight FB group, where our writing conversations are gearing up slowly – and already getting very promising.