"Almost every person who sits in my client chair is exhausted, fatigued, or burned out. And simultaneously wondering why they don’t have the energy to write 1000 words a day." OK BUT WHY ARE WE LIKE THISSSS
*LOVE* this. There is so much good fermenting in our souls when we aren’t actively writing that is still part of a long term, sustainable writing practice. Loved everything about this essay.
I'm in the journaling through phase right now (while yes. managing to write to promote my podcast and crocheting a lot of things), but over all, so much is shifting in my career and I'm still processing my upbringing residue and health challenges.
thank you for this! beautiful words that were really needed today, especially around pushing oneself to think/create/make when the body and mind desperately need recovery and rest. thank you thank you
"Should" is such a dangerous word that causes way more harm than good. Should-ing all over yourself never ends well. Writing as joy is the focus. It must be. 💜
AH JESUS JEANNA - i LOVED today's essay! thank you for writing it & sharing all that you did. i really resonate with that slippery slope of should be writing, especially in times of poor health. i pushed so hard during all of my health issues last fall & still healing from the pressures i put on myself throughout. the beloved friend line is also so so great. YEAH YEAH YEAH THANK YOU
If I may...I think a lot of us are mean to ourselves when sick is because most of us were brought up to work through sickness ( no matter what) or we see others working through bad health and we compare ourselves and think " oh well shit...so-in-so is way sicker than me. If they can do it so can I!" I do that constantly and end up sicker, in pain, etc because I feel like a lazy pos compared to my husband or some of my friends when I take a couple of days to rest!
Thank you. I think this resonates with far more many people than we may realize. I've been in bed with a pretty serious health flare for the past month - the worst I've had since 2012/13 when I nearly took a dirt nap. This time I'm listening. As much as I may *want* to do things, what I *need* us to rest. Refill the cup. Allow Input, as you've so perfectly named it. The time for Output will come and it will be fabulous, but until then, the rest of the world can wait. 💗
Damn this was a great read!!! So nourishing to take this all in. I've been experimenting with what my writing practice looks like and it's still changing. I stopped putting pressure on myself to write on a schedule and to try and do it when I feel called to. And I just started doing Morning Pages so I'm happy that that's given me at least some writing structure
I love this so much, Nathalie. Honestly, I'm quite similar! The days of the week I'm working on my fiction change all the time, pending my energy/wellness, but the things I do undergirding that *practice* remain consistent, and make it easier to tap back in.
I really needed to read this, thank you. I’ve changed my relationship with productivity and work a lot over the last 12 months - and I’m so much happier (to say nothing of healthier) for consistently prioritising my wellbeing over everything else - but capitalist myths about worth and productivity are really hard to un-internalise!
I'm so glad I looped back around to read this. Thank you, Jeanna. I really needed this reminder.
Also, finally hearing more details of your health/medical crisis, I just want to crawl through the screen, tuck you in with a blanket, and bring you a cup of tea. God, woman, I'm so sorry. And I'm so glad you've transformed how you take care of yourself and approach your writing practice. We (I) want you here for a long time, to enjoy the reverse aging of being a Capricorn.
"Almost every person who sits in my client chair is exhausted, fatigued, or burned out. And simultaneously wondering why they don’t have the energy to write 1000 words a day." OK BUT WHY ARE WE LIKE THISSSS
The question of the century.
*LOVE* this. There is so much good fermenting in our souls when we aren’t actively writing that is still part of a long term, sustainable writing practice. Loved everything about this essay.
Fermenting, yes. That part.
So glad it was resonant.
Such a crucial message for everyone who writes. Thank you, Jeanna.
A call-in for myself, as well <3
Another banger that was right on time for me too
Ahh, I'm so glad Kristen!
I'm in the journaling through phase right now (while yes. managing to write to promote my podcast and crocheting a lot of things), but over all, so much is shifting in my career and I'm still processing my upbringing residue and health challenges.
thank you for this! beautiful words that were really needed today, especially around pushing oneself to think/create/make when the body and mind desperately need recovery and rest. thank you thank you
The push-pull is so real and so painful.
"Should" is such a dangerous word that causes way more harm than good. Should-ing all over yourself never ends well. Writing as joy is the focus. It must be. 💜
100%
AH JESUS JEANNA - i LOVED today's essay! thank you for writing it & sharing all that you did. i really resonate with that slippery slope of should be writing, especially in times of poor health. i pushed so hard during all of my health issues last fall & still healing from the pressures i put on myself throughout. the beloved friend line is also so so great. YEAH YEAH YEAH THANK YOU
I'M SO GLAD YOU ARE DOING BETTER AND ALSO WHY ARE WE MEAN TO OURSELVES WHEN WE ARE SICK!!!!
I so appreciate you and your support, Bee.
If I may...I think a lot of us are mean to ourselves when sick is because most of us were brought up to work through sickness ( no matter what) or we see others working through bad health and we compare ourselves and think " oh well shit...so-in-so is way sicker than me. If they can do it so can I!" I do that constantly and end up sicker, in pain, etc because I feel like a lazy pos compared to my husband or some of my friends when I take a couple of days to rest!
Thank you for this. I needed every word. :)
I'm glad it could be of service!
Thank you. I think this resonates with far more many people than we may realize. I've been in bed with a pretty serious health flare for the past month - the worst I've had since 2012/13 when I nearly took a dirt nap. This time I'm listening. As much as I may *want* to do things, what I *need* us to rest. Refill the cup. Allow Input, as you've so perfectly named it. The time for Output will come and it will be fabulous, but until then, the rest of the world can wait. 💗
This is so real! Right there with you with deprioritizing rest.
Damn this was a great read!!! So nourishing to take this all in. I've been experimenting with what my writing practice looks like and it's still changing. I stopped putting pressure on myself to write on a schedule and to try and do it when I feel called to. And I just started doing Morning Pages so I'm happy that that's given me at least some writing structure
I love this so much, Nathalie. Honestly, I'm quite similar! The days of the week I'm working on my fiction change all the time, pending my energy/wellness, but the things I do undergirding that *practice* remain consistent, and make it easier to tap back in.
Thank you sooo much for this. Needed to hear this 🩵
I'm glad it landed!
I'm going to be thinking about this post for a while. So many insights about the creative life as a practice (as opposed to a productivity schedule).
I really needed to read this, thank you. I’ve changed my relationship with productivity and work a lot over the last 12 months - and I’m so much happier (to say nothing of healthier) for consistently prioritising my wellbeing over everything else - but capitalist myths about worth and productivity are really hard to un-internalise!
This is wonderful and chock-full of wisdom, Jeanna. Thank you for sharing 💜
I'm so glad I looped back around to read this. Thank you, Jeanna. I really needed this reminder.
Also, finally hearing more details of your health/medical crisis, I just want to crawl through the screen, tuck you in with a blanket, and bring you a cup of tea. God, woman, I'm so sorry. And I'm so glad you've transformed how you take care of yourself and approach your writing practice. We (I) want you here for a long time, to enjoy the reverse aging of being a Capricorn.
Asha, I got a little emotional reading your comment. Thank you for this. It means more than you know.
I especially love the push away from a capitalistic mindset. So important!