I recently began a yoga practice...again. There's something so primal about bare feet on the mat, breathing through the poses and being in the moment that really appeals to me. It also doesn't matter if you're any good or not, no judgement. Or should I say the only person judging yourself is you. As I sweat and struggle and my muscles scream the next day it brings to mind another practice I find equally as sweaty and painful - writing.
Maybe not the sweat part, unless it's the sweating it out after sending my work out into the universe. Struggling to find my balance and a regular practice, yes, definitely. I wish I could say I write every day, but for the most part, I don't. Unless I'm working on something, which at the moment I'm not. I'm in that painful in between projects phase. And it's here where I can easily be swayed by other demands or internet sites as opposed to what I should be doing...creating!
Sitting down and struggling with ideas is definitely as challenging as plank push ups for me. But I know, through raw determination and yes, practice, my ideas can come to life on the page. So here's my promise and a challenge. I will write every day of October for at least 20 minutes. I will put my butt down in my seat, forgo checking e-mail, ignore my hankering for a second cup of coffee and just write.
And I challenge you all to do the same. No judgement and no excuses. Morning, noon, night - whenever. Just do it. Turn the ringer off and find yourself on the page.
Then breathe.
Who knows what we'll come up with?
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Cultivating a Practice
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
What a great challenge, Robin! I will definitely try!
ReplyDelete(Making time for yoga reminds me a lot of making time for writing. They are both things where we have to make time for ourselves. I have really been struggling with making time for my creative self lately, so thanks for a push in the right direction.)
I'm in! I've had the same urge to recommit to writing (and exercising) every day.
ReplyDeleteSo Sally the dog is loving our daily walks through the woods and she's reclaimed napping space under my desk while I work.
We're both much happier.
I started exercising about two years ago. I work with a trainer because I am a lazy sack of beans. Yoga has always appealed to me, but I never seem to get my butt to a yoga class. Exercising has made me stronger and healthier. In general, I feel much better than I have in years!
ReplyDeleteI need a trainer for my writing, because I am a lazy sack of beans. I accept Robin's challenge to write every day in October for at least 20 minutes. That's not much to ask of someone who proclaims herself to be a writer.
Stories don't do anyone any good if they remain in your head. You're right. Get it down on paper, daily.
ReplyDeleteI have been so consumed by my freelance writing gigs--and the hunt for new work--my fiction writing has been on the back burner for months.
ReplyDeleteBut if I don't push for that daily dose of fiction writing, despite how busy I am with work, I will never complete my latest project...or start a new one. Count me in!
I have a question....
ReplyDeleteIf I spent roughly four hours working today (Yippie!!) does that get me off the hook for the next 12 days??
Only kidding. Wow! Did it feel good. My 20 minutes flew by and before I knew it I had a revised chapter and the desire to keep going!
Wow, Meg! Congrats on the ultra-productive day!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the idea of a "writing trainer," I think our critique group serves that function for me in a way. Once I put myself down for an actual date to sub a manuscript, then I get much greater incentive to push myself into gear.
I have heard of people though who work with a writing partner too, just to update one another about daily or weekly productivity. And hold one another accountable for writing goals. That might be interesting to try (once we're past this crazy month of Jewish holidays...)