TIME
& MOTIVATION
December Resolutions
By Alina Chase
December
is the perfect time to rethink what we write and why we write and,
perhaps, why we don’t write as often or as creatively as our inner
critics think we should. Have we lost interest in or outgrown our
initial plans and projects, or are we just not prioritizing our time
and energy in a way that works best for us?
During
the holidays the average American overindulges (gains 5-7 pounds!),
overspends (whoa, why did I buy that!), and too many find the season
more stressful or depressing than festive. So let’s not wait to
make guilt-ridden or stress-induced New Year’s resolutions we
probably won’t keep (like adding exercising, dieting and budgeting
to our writing to-do lists). Instead, let’s resolve to be
brilliant, not average. Let’s use this time to create and test
drive writing lifestyle resolutions we may actually keep.
Here
are three previous resolutions I made and (mostly) stick with that I
hope will jump-start creating your own resolutions:
Resolution
#1: Find creative alternatives to attending, organizing or hosting
events you dread. (Resolution 1A: Nix the guilt. If it drains your
energy, it’s not the right way for you
to spend your time! Find new, less stressful ways to satisfy what you
feel are family, social or charitable obligations.)
Resolution
#2: Vow to maintain or improve your fitness during the holidays.
Unless you actually enjoy those sugar highs (and crashes) and
turkey-and-stuffing-induced comas, how hard is it, really, to abstain
from gluttony? (Going out for a jog is also a healthy excuse to
escape family drama.)
Resolution
#3: Commit to adding 2 hours per week, all at once or in little
chunks, of energizing activity to your life. Reading, hiking,
meeting a friend for burritos—whatever makes you happy! Fun
time-outs return big payoffs in physical and mental energy. (But
about those burritos, see Resolution #2—maybe skip the cheese dip?)
Have
fun with this! Take some risks. And by all means share your December
resolution triumphs (and what humor you can find in not-so-triumphant
attempts at breaking uninspiring traditions) with all of us here at Writer Block. We’d love to hear from you!
Wishing
you all a relaxed, refreshing and inspiring holiday season…
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