Wanted to pop on here and say thank you so much for sharing this! I too am someone who struggles to let go and often feel like I've wasted time if I haven't been 'productive' with my free time. Am in a similar place at the moment with my writing and almost did the same thing recently - was going to book some annual leave to take a 'retreat' so I can have more time to write. However, I'm realising that it's okay to be in the space of nothingness and to take some time to rest and let go, trusting that it's all part of the process. Thank you x
Ah i'm so happy to read this Meg. That mentality led to burnout for me and i was very seriously ill and its a continuous battle to challenge myself on it. I think that's why this writing retreat felt so bitter sweet. We need to embrace the nothingness xx
So sorry you were so unwell with burnout. Am so grateful to you for speaking out about it and this mentality as I am finding your words so helpful (and am sure many others are as well). It is a reminder to keep checking myself on this. Here for the nothingness x
Feels like synchronicity, perfect timing to hear this at this point for me. I'm actually on a writing retreat, feeling a bit wretched that I'm not producing characters in the character writing excercise class. My brain freezes under pressure to come up with something on the spot. However, a strong character suddenly appears later, in first person, and flows onto the page quite unexpectedly.
i think the inertia, the frozen state of nothingness IS the process and all part of "productivity". We just never think about it through that lens. Glad this piece found you at the right time x
I mean this is perfect timing! And thank you because i have a tendency to feel hopeless too easily. Yet once relaxed, not feeling put on the spot, i was able to get words flowing. This frozen state of nothingness is a reason as to why I've given up writing so many times, as if it is something to be avoided at all costs. No wonder I haven't managed to write! I LOVE how you frame this as being part of the process. And you know what? I think you are right! Time to stay with the process. Omg, thank you
Wanted to pop on here and say thank you so much for sharing this! I too am someone who struggles to let go and often feel like I've wasted time if I haven't been 'productive' with my free time. Am in a similar place at the moment with my writing and almost did the same thing recently - was going to book some annual leave to take a 'retreat' so I can have more time to write. However, I'm realising that it's okay to be in the space of nothingness and to take some time to rest and let go, trusting that it's all part of the process. Thank you x
Ah i'm so happy to read this Meg. That mentality led to burnout for me and i was very seriously ill and its a continuous battle to challenge myself on it. I think that's why this writing retreat felt so bitter sweet. We need to embrace the nothingness xx
So sorry you were so unwell with burnout. Am so grateful to you for speaking out about it and this mentality as I am finding your words so helpful (and am sure many others are as well). It is a reminder to keep checking myself on this. Here for the nothingness x
Yes i wrote about it for the Sunday times but the piece is behind a paywall so I might write about it again here x
Feels like synchronicity, perfect timing to hear this at this point for me. I'm actually on a writing retreat, feeling a bit wretched that I'm not producing characters in the character writing excercise class. My brain freezes under pressure to come up with something on the spot. However, a strong character suddenly appears later, in first person, and flows onto the page quite unexpectedly.
i think the inertia, the frozen state of nothingness IS the process and all part of "productivity". We just never think about it through that lens. Glad this piece found you at the right time x
I mean this is perfect timing! And thank you because i have a tendency to feel hopeless too easily. Yet once relaxed, not feeling put on the spot, i was able to get words flowing. This frozen state of nothingness is a reason as to why I've given up writing so many times, as if it is something to be avoided at all costs. No wonder I haven't managed to write! I LOVE how you frame this as being part of the process. And you know what? I think you are right! Time to stay with the process. Omg, thank you
this makes me so happy! x
Feels like a more balanced approach
Thank you for reminding us that the process is not linear. I needed to read this today. X
ahh i'm so pleased Lotte! It is all part of the process and all part of any fruitful productivity xx