On the first Tuesday of every month, I’m “supposed” to post a blog entry here on Word By Word.
But I’m running a bit late, because over the last week or so life got complicated and much sleep was missed.
Stuff piled up.
My emotional and creative wells hadn’t run dry, but I just couldn’t seem to concentrate. To get words to stick on the page.
My subject of choice had been “planning and goal setting.”
I began to write about how I’m not a planner, therefore don’t set goals. For me, there are lots of dreams that lead to looking at possibilities, and creating options in my mind.
- If “A” happens, I’ll be able to do ____
- If “B” happens, I’ll go to ___ instead
- If “C” happens, I will have three more options
But all these ideas are simply “explored,” as opposed to being thought through in detail. This allows me to continue “playing” along while life unfolds in whatever way it is meant to.
It’s often been said that I fly by the seat of my pants. Or that I always manage to land on my feet. Ah, yes, a cat connection.
Anyhow.
Back to what happened on Monday night when I was supposed to be writing the blog.
I hit a wall.
Life just came up and smacked me in the face and said, “Your (creative) fire is down to sputtering embers, and to get to the firewood you must trudge a mile through waist deep snow…or get some damn sleep.”
Then a little voice whispered, “Remember how much you dislike perfection and refuse to strive for it?” And, “Isn’t it about time you cut yourself some slack?”
I messaged the WordByWord writers, told them I wouldn’t have a blog post ready for the next day, and what had felt like the weight of the world, lifted from my shoulders.
When I woke up the next morning–in the absence of guilt–I realized my embers were once again glowing. And after a second night of sleep I woke to sunshine, and it occurred to me that maybe someone else needed to hear my story today.
Maybe someone else needed to be reminded that sometimes you have to let other people down in order to not let yourself down.
Maybe someone else needed to remember that cutting themselves some slack can be a really good thing.
Kathryn Jane’s latest collection of short stories about cats (which reviewers liken to Chicken Soup For The Soul), can be found here.
Word by Word 
I felt like this before Christmas, Kathryn. I just stopped and haven’t worked on my WIP in three months. And that’s fine because I have a book to launch on 2/22. Plus house stuff, find a new doctor and dentist, getting the vaccine…lordy
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The fact that you say you fly by the seat of your pants makes you more likely to handle a curve ball when it is thrown your way. Which is not a skill many people have so consider your self lucky. Don’t fret about not being yourself Kathryn sometimes you just have to hit the reset button on your life and on your body to make things better again. Yes cut yourself some slack. It will do the body some good.
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Reblogged this on Jacquie Biggar-USA Today Best-selling author and commented:
A wonderful post on the Word by Word #blog by Kathryn Jane on giving yourself a break.
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This past year has gone by in a thick fog I’ve had trouble navigating. But, it’s a bright new year filled with promise, all we have to do is hold on a little longer ❤
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I love honest posts such as this one. We can all identify with this feeling.
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Hi Kathryn, Thanks for sharing your feelings. I can certainly identify with some of the angst. November and December were fairly dark months. Thankfully, my mood lifted in January. 🙂
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Hey, Kathryn. Things work out for a reason. This was a really important post for you to share. I’m sorry you had to go through the dark days, but what you’ve shared is priceless. Thank you. 🙂
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Thank you all for your wonderful, supportive comments. Yep, we’re all walking in a bit of quicksand these last months, and it’s good to know we’re not alone ❤
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Hi KJ,
I so agree. A friend told me some while ago when I was going through a very rough time to be gentle with myself. That one piece of advice has become a part of me.
Take care.
Shalom aleichem
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