I had my own little writing oasis last weekend. My DH decided that I’d spent FAR too much time writing, editing, doing beta reads…The list just kept growing and strong-armed me into taking a mini vacation to the beach with the family.
He told me I could do whatever I wanted at the beach and he’d make sure to make it happen. The only stipulation was I couldn’t write, or talk to him about writing. I could talk his ears off when we got back, but for those few hours, writing was NOT to come into the picture.
Of course, I grumbled about it, then whined and begged him to just let me stay home. He could take the kids to the beach.
No go.
I pouted the whole trip, which was only about 45 minutes in length. Grumbled as I changed into my swimsuit, and ignored him as we stepped out of the condo and onto the beach.
However, the minute I set my daughter on my hip and stepped into the cool waves of the Atlantic and the first wave splashed against our chests and she giggled, I’d forgotten why I was upset.
I spent the rest of the day playing with my daughter, watching her chase the waves back and forth, and watching the rest of my family (BIL, DH, and a girl that BIL was hitting on) frolick in the waves like dolphins.
I even managed to avoid a sunburn on my perpetually white Irish skin.
Even after we left the beach and went out to dinner to an AWESOME seafood restaurant my SIL works at, I never once thought about writing.
I didn’t even OPEN my laptop to write. I did check my email when I got home, but all thoughts of work were pushed firmly to the side.
The next morning, I realized my husband was right. I NEEDED those hours with family. I was burning out and I didn’t even know it. We’ve decided that we’re going to do this once a month and I couldn’t be happier.
Moral of the story: Take the time for yourself, even when you don’t think you need it. Take a day once a month that’s dedicated to ANYTHING but writing. Don’t even think about it. It’s easier than you think.
I love this post!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lotta fun and it all came to good use :D
I'm burning out with all the stress from college and I can't seem to be as productive as I want to be. Guh!
That sounds like an incredible day, I'm glad you found some fun family time away from writing. I have a hard time mentally letting myself get away, but this is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteI can totally empathize. It's so hard to separate from the laptop, but I always have fun when I do. Esp. at the beach!!
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