Confessions of a Full-Time Writer

You know those women who work from home and seem to have it all together? Their days are planned, their houses are clean, their meals are prepped. Guess what? I’m not that woman. I’ve been a full-time writer for 8 months now, and I’m still trying to get myself organized. Wanna know a secret? Organizing isn’t exactly my strong suit.

Honestly, I feel like I would do better if I could somehow shut my brain off. Well, maybe not the brain since I need that to function, but my neverending thoughts that won’t allow me to feel satisfied no matter how productive I may be. I have a list of tasks, all very important, and whenever I’m working on one of them, the guilt sets in.

For example, If I’m critiquing my client’s work, I feel guilty because I’m not working on my own manuscript. If I’m working on my manuscript, I feel guilty because I’m not working on my script. No matter what I do, I somehow find a way to make myself feel as though it’s not enough.

Why is that? Why is it so easy for me to give a great big kudos to my clients on their progress, but still find fault with my own?

When I walked away from my full-time job, I imagined a day of writing, filming, coaching, and the gift on an endless amount of time on my hands. I was wrong! Boy was I wrong. I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent working on a schedule. How many Youtube videos I’ve watched to help me with planning and productivity. Nothing seems to work. And I won’t bother mentioning those days where the inspiration to be productive feels like it’s on vacation. So what now?

Now, I continue working towards fulfilling my goals. I try to train my brain to feel satisfaction instead of frustration. I keep reminding myself that consistency will help me reach my goal. My manuscript may not be finished by the summer as I planned, but I will finish it. I will constantly remind myself that I’m doing enough. That I am enough.

By now you may be wondering why I’m telling you all of this? Quite frankly I’m wondering the same thing. I don’t know, maybe you’ll see yourself in this blog and maybe you, like me, will come to the conclusion that you can’t do it all in a day. That being consistent towards your goals is really all you can do and maybe… just maybe… you’ll start to feel satisfaction instead of frustration as well.

Did this blog speak to you in any way? I’d love to hear your thoughts or even strategies that you’ve found to help increase productivity. I’m always open to learning.