Michelle Griep

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We Are All Overwhelmed

post by Michelle Griep
No one corners the market on needing special attention. It's a very few, rare people who don't careen around life on two wheels. You're busy. I'm busy. We are all overwhelmed. So here are 3 sage words of advice . . .

Get over it.

Cruel words? Heartless advice? Perhaps, but though I write fiction, I am a realist at heart. So whatever crutch it is that you've propped all your excuses atop, excuses such as:

  • I'm too busy to write today
  • I'll write for sure tomorrow
  • As soon as fill-in-the-blank is finished, I'm really going to write that story

I'm here to kick that crutch away, because here's the deal . . . you can't wait for a more peaceful time in your life, a better time, a time when unicorns romp and fluffy bunnies tickle your muse. You are not guaranteed any more time in this life than that which you have right now. This minute. Shake off the paralysis of feeling overwhelmed and get busy writing. How?

1. Snatch 5 or 10 minutes to simply jot down a feeling, an impression, something that's gnawing at your heart.

2. Don't edit. Free write. Spelling errors and grammar be hanged.

3. Daydream. Not all day, mind you, but just a few minutes, staring out the window, letting your mind roam keeps the creative juices flowing.

Go ahead. Try it. Daily. You'll find that jittery feeling of defeat shrink down to a more manageable size.