Photo by Jhency Xang
One of my 2026 intentions was to focus more on my writing. Well, it’s August and this is just my 3rd blog post. So no blog posts, no progress on my novel, and I haven’t submitted any writing projects since May of 2025. Seems like a big fail so far with just shy of 21 weeks left in the year. What’s going on? Writing is my Zen habit. Why am I not prioritizing it?
What Am I Doing?
So what am I doing instead of writing?
- Working too many hours
- Playing stupid games on my phone
- Reading-38 books so far towards my 2026 goal of 64 books
- TV
- Gym workouts
So the first item on that list is partly because I’m a bit of a workaholic and partly because we’re a small office and we’ve had some temporary, extenuating circumstances with staff shortages and a busy summer season of extra activities.
The second item on the list is not at all productive. It’s just become too easy to get home late from the office and then wanting to zone out for a bit. Social media has made my job extra ridiculous lately. I’m not sure when it happened or why but people feel like they have a free pass to jump onto social media and stir up trouble. I don’t know if they crave attention they’re not getting in their real lives or they’re bored or what it is but it’s really gotten out of hand. I don’t even know how they have the time to cause so much trouble. If I’m not working, I’m generally focused on doing things with my family or friends or hobbies (well, except for writing apparently). Anyway…social media bullying will probably be another post soon. Back to the topic at hand.
Reading is a valid pursuit. TV watching is even a semi-valid past time because it gives me ideas for my writing.
Gym workouts are a necessity…still rehabbing the shoulder, training for a half marathon next year, struggling with some ongoing knee issues, and trying to lose some weight.
My “ME” Era
I decided I’m going to borrow from my friend Taylor Swift and declare this to be my “Me” era. My boys are grown and off living their best lives. Time for me to do the same.
My strategy for way too many years was to cram in as many activities as possible and juggle way too much at once. As a result, I ignored my body’s warning signals and I ended up with three surgeries in the last 6 years that have forced me to slow down. I’m trying to be proactive now with taking care of myself. And yes, I realize training for a half marathon with bad knees seems like the opposite of taking care of myself but I’m doing this training under the guidance of my fabulous physical therapist, lol.
Getting Back on Track
So what’s the plan? Because you all know I love a plan/challenge to get myself back on track.
My workouts are non-negotiable. As I said earlier, still rehabbing the shoulder and training for a half-marathon in 2027. I’m committing to 45 minutes-1 hour a day for 5 days a week (since my kick-ass physical therapist insists that rest days are part of the recovery process).
30 minutes a day for 5 days a week writing. It can be a list of goals for the week, my never-ending novel attempt, this blog, or a writing submission for a publication. At this point, I don’t care what it is that I’m writing. I think it’s just important to get back into the habit and then hopefully the ideas will start flowing again.
I’ve put a screen limit on my phone for those addicting games.
I’ve talked numerous times about this in the past but I want to try some meditation. Again, the negativity with social media right now is just overwhelming. I’m fairly good at zoning out the negativity surrounding sports, celebrities, and politics on the larger scale but it’s impossible to ignore the nastiness when it comes to social media around my job. A friend has taken some meditation classes so I’m going to make it a point to talk to her about that.
Working too much is not going to be something I quickly rectify but I am trying to be better about this. Our small city is growing. It’s a good problem to have but it can definitely be challenging with the extra work it creates.
Baby steps on the work issue is using some temporary help as needed in the office for busy periods. My boss keeps pointing out I need to start using some of the bazillion vacation hours I’ve accumulated. I have an 8 day cruise scheduled in early 2027 but I’m going to take some mental health days here soon.
Slowing Down
Slowing down should be such a simple thing to do at this stage of my life. It was different when the boys were younger and involved in all the things. That stage of life was supposed to be busy. I was a single mom with two kids involved in a multitude of activities, sports, etc. I loved that busy era and seeing them thrive in their activities.
Everyone asked what I was going to do with all my spare time once they went off to college and beyond and I honestly was stumped. In my head I had plans of new hobbies, travel, and maybe venturing back into the dating world. To be fair, I have taken a few trips but mostly I’ve turned into a workaholic.
Probably the biggest issue my physical therapist has with me is that I just can’t wrap my head around taking a rest day. The idea literally makes me anxious. Hmmm…maybe I should throw in some other types of therapy into my agenda. I’m sure there’s some deep-rooted reason I can not just chill out and relax.
Ask any of my friends/family who were around my during my foot and shoulder rehabilitation periods. I’m sure they will be thrilled to tell you how pleasant I was when I was forced into staying at home and off my feet, not driving, not picking up things, etc. I was a witch with a capital B, ha ha.
So here’s to the “ME” era. Wish me luck. I am going to say yes more to the things I love and enjoy and no more to the things I don’t.
