Finding a Reason to Get Motivated
I find myself in the untenable position of looking for something to write about as I’m without a post scheduled for next Sunday. in short, a blog queue on my website that has 0 posts scheduled. Unheard of, I know, but here I am. I have a Wednesday post scheduled, a Friday one written, but awaiting editing and formatting, and zero for Sunday. despite my best intentions, I’m running far behind, desperately seeking something to get me motivated.
I keep telling myself I’ll get caught up, but life, and often, my own sloth prevents it. Granted, this week, I’ve been reading on my kindle again, and doing more snuggling with the cats, especially Scrappy Doo who’s needed extra care and monitoring. But as they say, it ain’t filling the queue, so I’m sitting at Starbucks hoping for inspiration so I can add another post to the queue, and actually begin to fill it again. I know I need to return to my preferred 3-4 weeks ahead before holidays, birthdays, weddings, and trips pull me away from my weekly tasks.
I lack my usual cushion right now, and though it doesn’t terrify me as it would once have, it is worrisome, and even discouraging to think I’ve done so little writing in recent weeks. Can I honestly call myself a writer any more if I’m doing everything but writing, or tasks related to writing? No real research. No editing. No classes. Nothing except perhaps reading the work of others with an eye grown more critical for the lessons I’ve learned the last few years.
Inspired by Other Writers
To be fair, I notice not only flaws in the writing of others these days, be it a novel, a script, or a blog post, but also examples of what I consider outstanding writing. I suppose one could consider my more critical viewing of both printed stories and movies as writing related efforts, if only in the loosest sense. In fact, I got lured into binge-watching “Click Bait” on Netflix because of what I considered extraordinary writing on the part of the team who spun the story out into this mini-series.
A lifetime fan of Heinlein’s “Job: A Comedy of Justice”, I’m especially fond of stories which challenge me to figure out how it all will end, and delight in misdirecting me until the final episode or chapter unfolds before me in all its unexpected, plot-twisting glory. I’m forced to admit I want to be that writer someday, but first I need to get back to writing often, and prolifically.
I’ve been here before. Stalled, almost to a standstill, but keeping my head above water through sheer determination, and a refusal to ever be the person who writes a blog and posts it immediately without allowing the words time to rest before putting my fingers to the keys and altering my original thoughts poured onto the page without concern for spelling, grammar, or even continuity.
Physical Movement Aids Mental Motivation
I’ve learned to thrive on being ahead of the curve; of having several weeks written, edited, formatted, and scheduled so I’m ready for life’s twists and turns which, at times pull me away from the keyboard for days, or even weeks at a time. In the relative calm before the storm I’m currently experiencing, there are endless distractions eating away at my desire to stay motivated, and on task. I’m left looking for reasons to stay motivated which will suffocate the excuses for going off on the tangents which are dead-end streets without so much as a decent view at the end.
I follow Catherine Coulter (among others) on Facebook. She shares her daily walks on the trails near her home, and photographs of the amazing view she enjoys on her walks. I suspect those walks are more than simple exercise for her, but a way to keep her head clear, and mind focused on the daily tasks which have resulted in an impressive number of published works. I could claim I don’t have the beautiful vistas close to home, or trails to hike, but I’d be lying.
The trails near my house might not lead to ocean views, but the scenery is no less beautiful or awe inspiring. It means I’d have to get off my butt and actually drive to some of them, but the drive is matter of minutes, not hours. Again, it’s comes down to getting motivated, but this time, to move my body in order to motivate my brain, fingers, and imagination.
Kicked Out of the Comfort Zone
In fact, I think the Universe is conspiring to make it happen in spite of my laziness, and excuses. Another day of powerlessness while Edison changes out more power poles has already yielded a change of scenery, a change from my breakfast rut, and two new blog posts to edit, format, and schedule. Imagine how much a daily hike might accomplish, even if it’s simply a resumption of my discarded, 20-minute walks around the neighborhood.
As usual, I’ve managed to use my writing to take a problem, and talk myself around to the solution. I’m not alone in using my writing for therapy, decision-making and more. I was watching Jimmy Kimmel the other night. One of his guests was Madonna. After asking Jimmy if he saw a therapist, he kicked the question back to her.
She said her writing was her therapist. I sat there, nodding my head in agreement as I recalled the years, of writing out my feelings, both for myself and eventually, others. It’s how I kick-started my own healing, and learned to let go of beliefs that had been hobbling me for decades.
Writing to Connect With Humanity
I wouldn’t go so far as to say without my writing I’d be nothing, but I will admit I’d be alone and struggling still, were it not for my writing, It’s made me not only admit to, but accept, and even revel in the challenges I’ve met, the ones I’ve overcome, the ones which gave me coping mechanisms, and those I continue to peel away at, seeking my true, honest, imperfectly perfect self.
Maybe that’s all I need to get motivated after all. To be reminded through my writing I continue the healing process, and find a little structure and balance in the scattered, broken, and misshapen pieces that make me, me. To see the sharing of my own process might, as Madonna’s words did for me, serve as a reminder that we are all doing the best we can, but aren’t meant to do it alone. We don’t have to store all the pain, trauma, hurt, and wrong turns inside. Sharing them is an admission that we’re all human, and need to relate to, and join other humans to maneuver past some of the bigger obstacles thrown in our paths.
In connecting with others through things like writing, alone is no longer a dark, lonely place we have no choice to inhabit. Fitting in is no longer an aspiration. Instead, Self-acceptance, vulnerability, and community, are the cornerstones of a healthy, happy life.
About the Author
Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri 
believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income.
If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author.
Be sure to watch this space for news of the upcoming releases of ” Rebuilding After Suicide” and “Sasha’s Journey”.
