Yikes! I haven't blogged regularly in quite some time! So it's definitely time for me to get out of vacation mode and back into the swing of things. Whatever that means. I've always been really terrible at making a routine for myself and sticking to it. I procrastinate on things that have to get done, so you can imagine what happens to the things that don't have to immediately be done (*cough* writing *cough*). Sometimes I just feel like there's not enough time in the day to do everything I need and want to do.
There's work, obviously. I really like my hours compared to my old job (they're the same every day and I get every other weekend off). I'm home every day at 2:30 so you'd think that would leave lots of time for other stuff? Well..........not as much as you'd think. Probably because my job is physically demanding. I'm just always tired. The first thing I have to do when I get home is give my cat treats (you do not want to mess with the cat's routine...). Then I usually need something to eat myself and I'll catch up on a TV show. Then maybe if I feel like getting up I'll do some dishes or some other chore. My husband gets home at 4:30 and gets us iced coffees and then we pretty much just watch TV, have dinner, then go to bed around 9 or 10.
Ok, I know the glaring thing in that routine is that I watch way too much TV. I know. Guilty. I like TV, ok? Plus, with the whole being tired thing, my brain isn't always at full capacity. I'm not sure anything I would try writing at that time would be any good. But I don't actually try, so how would I know?
There's just so much I want to get done and never have the time or energy. I want to go to the gym at least 5 days a week, but there goes at least an hour and it will leave me even more tired. I want to read more. My 100 book goal this year is DEFINITELY not happening (I'm only at 11). And obviously, there's writing. I haven't worked on UL's third draft in almost two months (did I just admit that?). And I haven't been blogging that much either. Even when I write a post, I don't get around to visiting as many other blogs as I'd like.
I really want to switch things up but I don't know where to start. I'm way behind in my writing goals for this year, too. I thought I'd be done with the third draft months ago. I really wanted to write the second book in the series for NaNoWriMo, but I just don't think I'll be ready yet for it. I thought about doing Shiny New Story instead, but I don't think that idea's developed enough, either. I still have over a month to figure it out, but if I don't make a lot of progress on UL, I probably won't want to take myself away from it, either. I've just never fully committed to NaNo and I really wanted to do it this year.
So yeah. I don't do well with routines. I can't even make myself wash my face every night, for crying out loud. But I still keep trying. Maybe I can make a routine that works.
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Maybe instead of the goal being going to the gym five days a week, try for two? Then maybe go right after work instead of going home and getting all comfy? Or go with your husband when he comes home then go get iced coffees? (Believe me, I love good iced coffee and TV, too!)
ReplyDeleteDon't beat yourself up so much. You work and have to get up so early if you're home by 2:30. Maybe try for smaller goals like Madeline suggested. I work at home part-time as a writer but between that and taking my dog for two walks, the day goes. I'm often too tired to be productive at night.
ReplyDeleteIt happens.
ReplyDeleteTry going to the gym after work. You'd be surprised how much energy it really will give you.
I can really relate to procrastinating. I'm a whizz at it :-) When I was working full-time, it was so hard to find energy to do other things. Taking care of a few life chores, eating and watching TV was often the routine each night.
ReplyDeleteI agree that trying to make little changes, one at a time, might be a better idea than doing too much all at once. If I went to the gym five times a week I'd be too wiped out to do anything else, but once or twice sounds ideal. Try doing that after work, or even going to a cafe to write where you don't have "home" distractions (and ideally not free wi-fi!) I hope you do try NaNo even if not this year. The sense of camaraderie and friendly competition provides a great energy for writing.
ReplyDeleteEvery day is different for me, so no set schedule works. But since you work a job, maybe setting a schedule would help.
ReplyDeleteI'm bad with routines myself. I tend to forget what it is I planned to do throughout the day. Writing is worse because I don't have a set work schedule. There are days after working two jobs, I don't have the energy to do anything. Sometimes, I have to take in an energy drink to get me through the night, though I know I shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteDo what you can manage when you can manage it. If I'm tired, I don't do anything, but if I have the time to do something, I do it.
ReplyDeleteWhy not start smaller? Like with the gym, there are a TON of living room workouts on Pinterest that you can do in 10 minutes. Do that 5x a week and then find workouts on youtube and up the time. Maybe with writing pick one thing and commit to it.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I do feel you on the tiredness. My former job had me exhausted all the time. It's kind of a good thing my back forced me to quit. Since I have a chronic illness I really need to take care of myself and the job wasn't allowing me to do that (as well as being too tired to write consistently.)