Relaxing 101
Before I can write well, I have to relax. If I try just pushing it all out, I get some pretty sad dialog and then toss it out, disgusted with myself. I’ve found a list of things that help me to relax, to find my inspiration, and to be able to move past whatever else is on my mind so I can write.
1. Go for a walk (or a run). I like to do this almost every morning. Not only is it great exercise, but my son enjoys it and my mind clears.
2. Listen to good music. Dancing can also help. I recently discovered the joy of dancing with a young baby. He loves music, too!
3. Let it rain. This one is difficult… I’m still working on the logistics of convincing the clouds to rain. But staring out the window staring at the falling rain or listening to the sound of it hitting the pavement while smelling that awesome smell… there’s nothing quite like it.
4. Bake bread or anything creative. I can’t do this too much, or I won’t get to the writing but the kneading process is great for relaxing!
5. Take a bath. Now, this one… it’s questionable as I will probably take in a book and never get around to writing myself but it is good for relaxing.
6. Have a good chat with my husband. Somehow when the conversation is over, I feel relaxed and ready to write.
7. Sit and watch a child play. My favorite is my son, but I’m sure any child would do. Their play is so innocent and everything is new. It reminds me of times when life was more simple.
I’m sure there are more on my list, but these are the ones I’ve used lately. They’re also great for getting me out of the dismals or for just about whenever.
29 Jun 2008 Sarah
I like the list. I could do with a little more of almost all of those things. Mostly, my mind is continually clouded and distracted with noise and other things that I hardly feel inspired at all lately. I always say I should make more time for things like this, but let’s be realistic–who has more time?
How do you find more time?
btw–I like your website design. Very clean. I’m jealous.
I completely relate with you in the time thing. I often feel like I’m running to catch up. That’s why I have to try these things before I can write at all — otherwise my brain is too full with all I have to do.
I don’t know where to find more time. The best I can do is combine activities. That helps me. (Like listening to the rain while watching my son, or listening to good calming music as I write.) I currently make lists. Not something I ever thought I would do. But it helps me save time because I avoid the emergencies that arise if I forget something and have to do it in a rush.
Having a baby has showed me more than ever how little time I have. I don’t mean that he takes up my time although of course he does, but I mean there is only so much time in life to teach him everything and to show him it all. So the best I can do is my best today and hope that will be enough for tomorrow. The same thing can be applied to everything else: just do my best today and move what I can’t do today to tomorrow.
And that was a post in itself! Thanks, though, I really like this design. I was going for simplicity. I think I may change the pictures up, though. We’ll see.
I think I’ll have to change my blogs theme. My tagline is about simplicity yet my page is uglier than ugly.
I hope you find the time.
Well, I like your theme… but I’m sure if you change it you’ll find a great one.
Good luck to you in finding time, too. I think it’s a lifelong search.
A lifelong search, meaning, you search your whole life but never find it. And then you die. Is that what you mean or is that just what my depressed mind is feeding me?
A lifelong search meaning you search and you find, and then something comes up (a new child, say) and you have to rearrange and reevaluate again. A lifelong search because your goals and dreams and what is most important to you “now” is always changing.
What a brilliant list. I love the combination of rain and good music playing. Something about that really sparks off my creativity for some reason. Thought-provoking post!
Thank you! I thought of one to add today:
Outline the post/story you want to write. Oddly enough this was an inspiring activity for me. It made me feel like I could do it, and that it wasn’t a too far-off goal.
[...] mentioned recently that I enjoy dancing with a young baby. Of late, this has become a favorite pastime in my home. My [...]