Oh boy do I feel this today. I'm deep in the I Don't Wannas. I'm retiring as a therapist so that I can have more time for writing. But first I have to catch up on a bunch of paperwork before I am finally done. It gives me a sense of dread. But today, after reading an online hint, I had Dread write me a letter and tell me why he was lurking here. Dread said he realizes he is causing tension by wanting too much for me to finish this task. So he's going to put a gray blanket over his head and go sit in a chair so I can work. "Please don't let me bother you," he said. "Imagine me stepping aside."
Same girl same! Just spent 45 minutes cleaning instead of writing. I'm hiding out from my "I don't wannas". I know they'll catch up with me, so I try to stay on team "small goals"!
On the I-don't-wanna days, I try to set a timer for 20 minutes and do it for just a short amount of time. Just move forward a little with my progress on a task, not necessarily complete it. I feel like, for me, I get in that mood and everything feels So Big to take on, but I just need a nudge to get started. But I also appreciate your advice of resting—sometimes it's just what's needed!
I’m with ya. I don’t wanna either. It seems like everyone is on vacation this week and I have a pile of to do’s a mile long… your post reminded me of something I read in the author Diana Gabaldon’s book “the Outlandish Companion.” (vol 1) the book is an absolute scream - completely random stuff for Outlander Series fans. In one section she writes a 5 page section titled “Cannibal’s Art - Writing and Real Life” and answers the question: “How does one get any writing done if one has a family, a job and/or any pretensions to Real Life.” Gabaldon minces no words, as her readers may expect, and answers the question with “If you can’t manage to do without sleep in any appreciable quantity, you’ll have to eliminate some other activity in order to use that time writing. In the interests of Preserving the Sanctity of Family Life, I don’t recommend eliminating dinner, bedtime stories, or sex.” You are not alone, my friend.
I'm going on vacation in about 2 weeks and I don't wanna pack or check off my long list. It's a long trip and I need to be prepared. But I've also been battling the I don't wannas with just about everything else. I sit at my computer everyday and should write, but I'm allowing everything else in internet world distract me. I'm not crazy about my WIP and my completed MS isn't getting traction. I'm bummed and tired of it all. I know my vacation will reset my internal drive and I'm taking my laptop, just in case I get inspired. It is so good to know I'm not alone. Thanks!
love this post. I do get the "I don't wanna" feeling. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. On my white board where I can see it from my computer, I have in large letters, MANIFEST EASE. Seeing this makes me take a deep breath, calm myself, and think about what I can do to get past it. Usually it's just reading something that I've been working on. I tell myself, "No pressure, just have a read and see how it's going." Usually, the next thing I know I've been editing and writing for the last couple of ours. Manifest ease. That's the kee for me.
I should also mention that a good part of my writing career was in television, and it was a great training for getting over the "I don't wannas". You simply can't say "to your executive producer, I don't wanna finish my script today", or when on set, "I don't wanna rewrite this scene you'll be shooting later today."
I love this, so much. I've gone through a personal (romantic...sigh) difficult time these last few weeks. One thing I'm doing to try and help with the blues is craft a weekly writing routine. It feels nice, in many ways, to have my energy back and to be focused again. Similarly, though, even when I know it will feel SO GOOD to have the work done, it can be difficult to sit down and, well, get started. This is a nice reminder that these days will pass.
Thank you for sharing! Wishing you peace this week <3
really loved this. 🤍
You’re just awesome--thx for taking the time to ease all of our minds.
Oh boy do I feel this today. I'm deep in the I Don't Wannas. I'm retiring as a therapist so that I can have more time for writing. But first I have to catch up on a bunch of paperwork before I am finally done. It gives me a sense of dread. But today, after reading an online hint, I had Dread write me a letter and tell me why he was lurking here. Dread said he realizes he is causing tension by wanting too much for me to finish this task. So he's going to put a gray blanket over his head and go sit in a chair so I can work. "Please don't let me bother you," he said. "Imagine me stepping aside."
Same girl same! Just spent 45 minutes cleaning instead of writing. I'm hiding out from my "I don't wannas". I know they'll catch up with me, so I try to stay on team "small goals"!
On the I-don't-wanna days, I try to set a timer for 20 minutes and do it for just a short amount of time. Just move forward a little with my progress on a task, not necessarily complete it. I feel like, for me, I get in that mood and everything feels So Big to take on, but I just need a nudge to get started. But I also appreciate your advice of resting—sometimes it's just what's needed!
I’m with ya. I don’t wanna either. It seems like everyone is on vacation this week and I have a pile of to do’s a mile long… your post reminded me of something I read in the author Diana Gabaldon’s book “the Outlandish Companion.” (vol 1) the book is an absolute scream - completely random stuff for Outlander Series fans. In one section she writes a 5 page section titled “Cannibal’s Art - Writing and Real Life” and answers the question: “How does one get any writing done if one has a family, a job and/or any pretensions to Real Life.” Gabaldon minces no words, as her readers may expect, and answers the question with “If you can’t manage to do without sleep in any appreciable quantity, you’ll have to eliminate some other activity in order to use that time writing. In the interests of Preserving the Sanctity of Family Life, I don’t recommend eliminating dinner, bedtime stories, or sex.” You are not alone, my friend.
Today I didn't wanna write for my substack. Your message inspired me to do it anyway! (After a short nap.) Thanks!
I'm going on vacation in about 2 weeks and I don't wanna pack or check off my long list. It's a long trip and I need to be prepared. But I've also been battling the I don't wannas with just about everything else. I sit at my computer everyday and should write, but I'm allowing everything else in internet world distract me. I'm not crazy about my WIP and my completed MS isn't getting traction. I'm bummed and tired of it all. I know my vacation will reset my internal drive and I'm taking my laptop, just in case I get inspired. It is so good to know I'm not alone. Thanks!
Have you considered NOT taking your laptop? That way you’ll be desperate to get to the keyboard when you return refreshed and reeenergized?
Needed this today, thanks!
Apparently I *do* need a literary agent with an MFA to tell me to take care of my mental health.
: )
(also, hidden weeping)
I didn't need to hear this today, but there sure as hell will be a day soon when I will. Bookmarking these wise words for later!
Thanks for this!
love this post. I do get the "I don't wanna" feeling. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. On my white board where I can see it from my computer, I have in large letters, MANIFEST EASE. Seeing this makes me take a deep breath, calm myself, and think about what I can do to get past it. Usually it's just reading something that I've been working on. I tell myself, "No pressure, just have a read and see how it's going." Usually, the next thing I know I've been editing and writing for the last couple of ours. Manifest ease. That's the kee for me.
I should also mention that a good part of my writing career was in television, and it was a great training for getting over the "I don't wannas". You simply can't say "to your executive producer, I don't wanna finish my script today", or when on set, "I don't wanna rewrite this scene you'll be shooting later today."
I needed this, thank you.
Ugh. Exercising is such a necessity and I hate it! But I guess I don’t want to be creaky, and how I fix that is with...exercise. Damn this body!
I just moved to Orlando this year, and St. Augustine is one of my absolute favorite places to visit. What an amazing place!
I love this, so much. I've gone through a personal (romantic...sigh) difficult time these last few weeks. One thing I'm doing to try and help with the blues is craft a weekly writing routine. It feels nice, in many ways, to have my energy back and to be focused again. Similarly, though, even when I know it will feel SO GOOD to have the work done, it can be difficult to sit down and, well, get started. This is a nice reminder that these days will pass.
Thank you for sharing! Wishing you peace this week <3