Declare your Writing is Important

hero-hand-writing_patti-m-hall-book-coach-memoir-writer

A client emailed me last week and said,

I have no time. It’s the same problem as always — no time.”

When you start writing about your life, it feels like a luxury. It is that self-indulgent, time to yourself activity that you talk about the same way as winning the lottery or sailing around the world….

It is something you said you MIGHT do someday…

when you retired

when you had a week off

after the kids were in school

but then life got in the way, right?

Yvonne wrote this, “I can’t get to the pages you wanted me to write, I can’t even get to the other things in my life.”

I get it. I understand. Just this morning before I lifted my head off the pillow I heard that voice (sounded a lot like me) saying you should be walking right now, you have to pull weeds, clean the cat box, empty the recycling, vacuum the living room, walk the dogs, return 72 emails, edit 14 pages ….

how are we supposed to feel rested, or like we can take 20 minutes away to write, when the list is bombarding us before we even open our eyes??

It happens for all of us who write, whether you are trying to life write for the first time, or you’ve been at it a dozen years full time like I have.

Here is the truth–

you don’t find time to write—you make time to write. 

How? By actively carving it out of your days, your family’s days and the life that you lead. 

There is no way around it, writing will drop to the bottom of the list until you declare it is

important

paramount 

significant

essential

imperative

When I say declare I mean to firmly stand up for your writing–it feels good and you want to do more of it, right—

so tell everyone, tell the universe and especially your kids and partner–those lovely beings we call family can be the toughest ones to convince.

Like my client wrote: “Everything else seems so much more important than writing in my journal about my life when I was six.” 

Unless you declare otherwise to yourself, and the world, this will continue to be true.

So…make it so… 

Tips for making writing important–

start with self-talk:

I’ve always wanted to do this, so I need this time. It is important to me. 

(Say this or any other affirmation as often as you need to.

Tip: Have a special book, a particular place to write, a favourite pen and say no to everything else while you are writing.

Tip:  Set Boundaries–you need them. Try this:  “when my bedroom door is closed I’m writing. I’ll be out in a half hour.” (Then slam the door and laugh your butt off)

try telling the people around you next:

This really feels important to me. I have discovered something I love. or if you have to–this will be for you someday (even though you have no intention of ever letting them read it).

Tip: Make it clear your notebook, journal or laptop is off limits to readers. If you are certain no one will read it, you are much more likely to write great stuff.

Tip:  Go at it with pleasure, not guilt. You aren’t abandoning the house, kids or pets…you are working on something you love, for you.

grab a Daily Trigger at www.triggeringmemories.com or download a page of our FREE printable stationary in our shop at http://www.triggeringmemories.com/bundles-feelings.html

and write what you remember, what you miss, what you wish you had more of…

WRITE. YOUR. LIFE

If you say it is important…it will be.

Make it so..

Writer. Book coach. Collaborator.

I help exceptional coaches and thought leaders go from idea to book. Author of Loving Large, available April 2020, pre order now on Amazon.

If you could do it yourself, you'd be done by now.

Find out more on how I can help you bring life to your book.

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