I write at Panera Bread two mornings a week. I like their cinnamon scones, but they don’t like me. Even if I eat a scone one day out of the two, I put on pounds, and not in good places. If I could skip breakfast at home at 6 a.m., I could have a cinnamon scone at Panera. But my breakfast contains protein and fiber, while a scone doesn’t. If I exercised regularly, I could have a cinnamon scone and not worry about gaining weight in the wrong places. And exercise is GOOD FOR ME in so many ways. Too bad I hate exercise.
A writing life is full of similar choices. If I spend two hours shopping, that’s two hours I’m not working on my novel. Or if I spend two hours working on my novel, that’s two hours I can’t watch my favorite detective show on TV (the one with the really cute guy). Or I can’t make soup from scratch (that contains fiber and protein) for my next week’s lunches. Or I can’t tidy the house, weed out my e-mail inbox, or de-crap my filing cabinet or office.
If I go to a party, I’m not writing. If I’m blogging, I’m not writing. If I’m writing, I’m not putting away laundry. If I’m writing, I’m not paying bills. Choices. And it’s not like I get replacement hours if I squander time. Nope, it just slips away. So I just have to be aware of time, always, and the choices I have for each hour of the day.
How do you handle the choices in your writing life?
I love Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I’ve had to cut them out of my life.
I feel for you. I think really good food needs to have zero calories.
Choices are hard. As in all things, I think balance is important. Eat the scone, but then either exercise or cut another starch from diet for the day. Try to find time to socialize with friends AND also spend time working. I know it’s hard, but it’s harder on our spirit to constantly deprive ourselves.
That’s right: balance in all aspects of our lives is important. Thanks for the reminder.