As a writer, I love to take little trips by myself; gathering inspiration and carving out precious time alone to do the one thing I've always enjoyed - write. It's not easy to organise creative time when you're a single parent to four children. There are the practical aspects; childcare, pet care, finances, health issues; and there are the emotions involved - the guilt and self doubt. And, the truth is if you're not a famous (well known or rich) author it can feel somewhat luxurious, especially to other people, to invest time, energy and hard earned pennies in your writing life. But here's a question, if you're a writer and you're not going to do that for yourself - how will you ever feel happy? I mean, deeply happy. You see when writers (artists) don't express themselves they become stifled and they become miserable, sometimes even physically ill. I know this to be true because for years I took the crumbs of a writers life - the scraps of time left over after I had prioritised everybody else's needs - and I became sick. I was depressed, bordering on alcoholism and stuck in a toxic relationship. I literally couldn't stand myself at this point. It was make or break for me and it has taken several years of sobriety to reclaim myself. (7 years sober this Halloween) 🌷
I'm not suggesting that everyone is in such a low place because they're not being creative, but that was the case for me - and if just one person reads this and it motivates a positive change towards creative expression then it's worth it !
Nowadays, I take time for myself, I have boundaries and, it is for my well-being that, I have learnt to say 'no' when I don't want to go. I don't spend time with people who make me feel like an idiot for wanting to write. I am not striving for fame or wealth - I'm not claiming to be a great writer - I'm just living a writer's life - that's what I love do.
So if you feel stuck, here's a suggestion to help you change your inner landscape - reclaim yourself. Start with a mini trip to somewhere you fancy like Glastonbury Tor or Stonehenge! Take a notebook, write for fifteen minutes, then go for a coffee., buy a crystal or that book on the crooked path with the goatskin cover!
If you want to be a writer, it’s simple ; please write - start today.
One poem, one page, one idea.
It could shift everything for you and be the start of something totally magical ✨