Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Time to Breathe

So I woke up this morning and panicked because I realized I never wrote today's blog post. I always write them ahead of time because I'm kind of crazy and like to have everything scheduled. Well, I learned something. The world didn't end because I forgot to post. 

I'm actually glad this happened. I think we can get so caught up in what he have to do that we forget to allow ourselves time to breathe. I have a lot going on right now. The Touch of Death blog tour is going on, the ebook releases on December 23rd, my official release date is January 15, and my launch party is  January 20th. I also have Love All releasing January 8th. That doesn't even mention all the edits I'm doing for my books and my clients. And then there's Christmas, which I host. See how I forgot about my blog? Oh, and my grinder pump stopped working, so yesterday was dedicated to getting it fixed.

But now I know that I have to plan time to relax too because I'm not superhuman. Even though I'd love to be!

How about you? Do get so caught up in what you have to do that you forget to allow yourself down time?

52 comments:

  1. You need to relax my dear, The blog will be fine without you!

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  2. I just went back to work. Ask me in a few days : )

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  3. Sometimes you have to let stuff go! And that includes the blog. I've noticed a big slowing down anyway. I think a lot of people are too busy in these next couple weeks to post regularly. Give yourself permission to skip a couple and go work on those other important things!

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    1. I've noticed that, too, Dianne. It's a crazy time of year so a lot of people are slowing down with their blogs. Thanks for the reminder that it's okay to take care of other things. (Of course, here I am. LOL)

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  4. I think we all get into the "have to do" trap. But yes we do need some me time. Sometimes the work can and has to wait. Enjoy some free time Kelly.

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    1. Terrie, I wish I could. Of course I just got edits for one of my books this morning and I have two editing clients I have to edit for. LOL. No rest for me yet, though I am allowing myself to get enough sleep, which for me is something.

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  5. Hi Kelly,
    Lovely post and very timely. The creativity teacher, SARK, always says there are only two things we have to do everyday and that's breathe and pee!
    Glad to hear that slowing down for a moment was a good experience! In the end, we want our writing practice to be sustainable for both our minds and bodies. As my friend says,"rest is repair".

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  6. So excited for your release!!

    This sort of thing happened to me a while back and it had the same affect on me. I realized that scheduling myself too much was stifling me...not to mention making me crazy. It's okay to step out of my comfort zone.

    Have a wonderful holiday, Kelly!

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    1. Thanks, Sheri. You too. And I agree. Little reminders like this are good.

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  7. Yes, I agree, you need to relax girl! Enjoy the spirit and fun of christmas and don't worry about the blog. It will all be back in 2013 waiting with open arms.

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  8. I slowed down just enough to realize there is less Christmas music played on the radio these days. Last year Thanksgiving wasn't even finished and they were blasting Bing Crosby and Dean Martin versions of White Christmas all over the place.

    By the way, Kelly? Don't forget to breath. :)

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    1. I noticed that, too. I wonder why.

      Thanks, Diane. I'm trying. LOL

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  9. Yeah, I can get caught up too. The only time I really stop is when I'm so burned out I can't think straight. If I'm not working I feel like I'm slacking off.

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    1. I'm the same way. If I'm not busy I feel so off. I don't like it. But I do need to remember to take a moment here and there.

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  10. Yep! The pressure I put on myself is much greater than it should be. I totally understand, but so glad you're taking the time to breathe now. Very important.

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    1. Yes, it is. Now if only these emails with all these deadlines would go away. LOL

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  11. There are only so many hours in a day and so many days in a week--sometimes we just can't do everything!

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  12. Not just breathe, but a DEEP breath... ~~~~~~See?
    You'll need it for the dancing at your January launches!

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    1. Yes! And a dancing I will be! Probably poorly but I'll be to happy to care. ;)

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  13. To me, you're definitely superhuman. I don't know where you find the time and energy to do so much. You're an inspiration! :-D

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  14. Yes, I agree with Lexa. You accomplish so much! As for me, I am a person who is always doing something too. But I do take time in the afternoon to lie down and take 15 minutes to rest or meditate. It really helps power me through the rest of the day and into the evening.

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  15. It's definitely a crazy time of year, so you're allowed.

    I'm still proctoring exams, trying to get my own stuff polished, and reading an ebook to be reviewed. I sometimes wonder where I can get an extra three or four hours a day...

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  16. I'm scaling back on blogging and other social media duties until the end of the year. I need to recharge and be more mindful of how I spend my time. I hope you enjoy the holidays!

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    1. I just read your post about that. Good for you, Adrianne. Enjoy it and the holidays. :)

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  17. I've been thinking about slowing down on blogging, too, even though I don't post as often as you do, Kelly. And you're right: the world wouldn't end because we don't post. Take care of self first. And breathe ~

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    1. Thanks, Claudine. I think sometimes we get behind because it's life way of letting us now we need to slow down and, more importantly, that it's okay to slow down. :)

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  18. So true, Kelly. We tend to get caught up in our deadlines and really not to listen to a message like yours. A missed blogpost is not the end of the world. You do have a lot on your plate ... all very exciting ... take your time to enjoy it. Congrats on the new release!

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  19. Down Time? Sorry? Hahah with my daughter's wedding on Sat and then Christmas - I'm not sure what down time is - but I can relate to your blogattack. I may not post over Christmas, as I am too exhausted right now, and like you, I'm feeling that I'm letting people down. Sigh. Breathe. Now breathe again!

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    1. Have a wonderful time at your daughter's wedding, Carol! And I hope you enjoy the holidays!

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  20. I used to. Now I am pretty good about breathing. Life is too short to stress over the timely blog post. I have my list of 'writing to-do's, which I more or less stick to, bar life's interruptions. The rest of life, I've learned over the years to take it as it comes. My role in the process is to live it large, make decisions along the way -- some even matter -- but mostly to enjoy the moment.

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  21. It's hard being a type A. I literally have to write relaxation time into my schedule, or it doesn't happen. Hopefully you get some relaxation time in this next week.

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  22. You so should NOT feel shame, Kelly.

    I had to leave my blog for MONTHS, and I don't have even a 1/4 of your responsibilties, but I had a lot of emotional stuff that came up, and just when I started to get some momentum back, the CT school shooting last week really knocked me out, and frankly put a bruise on my holiday spirits, but I personally need to remember there's still good in the world, but as someone whose family has a tragic history of mental illness of varyting degrees, and also battling my own mental shortcomings daily, further adds to the anger and sadness I feel regarding last week's events.

    I think for writers not yet where they want to be (Whether that's getting an agent or publishing their work FOR PAY), we get a little more anal about not being off the radar too long, since consistency is key, we won't improve or build the almighty "platform" if we stay away too long.

    Whether that's blogging, or writing new books, and finding SOMETHING to love about revising, which for some writers (Myself Included) isn't always easy, much as it's nessecary, and not letting the reading experience die just because you want to be a better writer. We can't always treat reading like a "Writer's Workshop" we sometimes just have to LOVE reading, whther or not we can analzye it as a writer, and contray to what some authors say, we can, and sometimes HAVE to read without the WRITER in us ruining the experience non-writer readers get to have.

    Yes, it's true we need to put things aside sometimes, but for those of us who don't have Kelly's level of work and family commitments, and the "Hit or Miss" complications of each, we somtimes take our personal and professional desires to be consitent in our blogging and overall web presence a tad too seriously.

    But like Kelly, us less comittment-heavy writers deserve a break, too, thanks for reminding us all of that.

    Take Care,
    Taurean

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    1. Yes, we all deserve a break every once in a while to stay sane. It's too easy for things to get out of control and life to be demanding. We have to step back and remember to have fun and take time for ourselves.

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  23. I've been finding it harder and harder to write on my blog. I think it's because I'm not sure what to write ABOUT. Until I can figure exactly what I want to do with that little blog of mine, posts are probably going to be sporadic. But oh well! I will eventually figure it out, and I'm not going to stress about it. :)

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    1. Don't stress about it. It's not worth the stress. Part of the reason why I created my Monday Mishmash was to not have to think about what to post on Mondays. It's an anything goes kind of post and I love that. I get the most hits on Mondays (usually) too. :)

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  24. Glad you learned a valuable lesson! We can all get caught up on all the "things" to do. Today my post got up later than usual and I was stressed at first, reading this made me feel like I am not alone. :) Good luck with all the wonderful events happening!
    ~Jess

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    1. No, you're not alone. Life happens. Blogs can wait. It's a good lesson to learn. Who needs added stress in their life, right?

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  25. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and... Breathe.

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  26. You are so right. We need that time to rest and revive ourselves. I often get going on projects and forget to breathe!

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    1. Yup. It's too easy to get consumed and forget to breathe.

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