I’m late with my post this morning. Call it what you will, but it seems like a case of January blahs, plain and simple to me. I know other colleagues and friends feel the same way.
What do you do? You're desperate to write, but nothing comes to you. Everything’s in the background, roiling around in your head. But it's mixed with anxiety, the knowledge that there are so many chores to take care of in the house and the garden. |
The best way to describe mine is she seems like a prodding influence at my elbow, constantly coming up with ideas and inspiration. I think my muse hates house work, laundry tasks and pesky garden bugs as much as I do. But unlike me, she isn't committed to engaging in any of them. Anything not satisfactory and my muse just disappears. It's not a pleasant thing. I'm so dependent on her that there's a hollow feeling of loss when she's gone, even though I know it's a temporary thing.
So what do you do when your muse drops out?
- Minimize the tragedy. When the time is right she’ll be back.
- Stop staring at your computer and tormenting yourself.
- Go do something else. If you can't think of anything, you've more troubles than a missing muse. You might be missing out on life itself.
- Start observing and appreciating everything around you. Often, just doing this will bring writing inspiration. Ask any poet.
- Think about your interactions with families and friends, past, and present. Those are usually meaty material for writing.
The need for light
I crave sun. I need light. I don't want to take my Vitamin D tablets. They just make me think all over again of the light deprivation. My Pollyanna person reminds me in her prissy way that I have so much to be grateful for. That is so true.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is felt by so many each year. You can have all the good intentions in the world...and use all your willpower to keep smiling, but it’s not easy.
How do you know if you have SAD?
- You feel physically and mentally tired every day. You feel like hibernating, but, unlike a bear, you still have your daily work to do. You're just exhausted.
- It's hard to maintain interest in keeping up with friends and things that normally interest you.
- Laughter seems to leave, and just like this post today, it's much more difficult to write or make decisions.
- Suddenly you have all kinds of joint pains and seem to be a flu target. (If you're savvy you’ll at least wash your hands when you've been out in public).
- Your emotions swing from sad to irritable, for no particular reason. But underlying it all is a feeling of heaviness that's not usually present.
Ways to bring some light!
Less extreme is to buy a SAD light, of which there are many on the market.
Moving on, let your friends and family know you're having some coping challenges, but you know you'll feel better when the days get longer! I've told my muse. She was busy on another call, but I'm sure she’ll be back soon.
Vicki