Back On That Horse
“Fall down seven times, stand up eight.”
“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”
For some reason, the start of 2025 feels like it’s been slow going. Maybe it’s the wildfires in Los Angeles which I can only imagine. Being in a town of less than 1,000 people, hearing that almost 200,000 people at one point were under evacuation orders is just a scale I can’t even begin to fully understand. If looking for a change of pace, I suggest Minnesota where we are expected to hit -25°F which starts to make engine oil in most cars start to thicken. Thankfully, my car is tucked away in my non-heated garage where it will at least stay above 0°F.
I’m thankful in times like these, the best of humanity comes through. That we can look out for each other. Whether it’s helping people in a wildfire (like those in the LA fire. If you’re reading and want to donate, a little goes a long way) to just checking on our family and neighbors, there is a silent majority that can push our differences aside and help. Plus, it’s in our nature to be resilient and get back on that horse.
Anyway, I’m finally over my case of the most strep-like non-strep throat I’ve ever had. Think razor blades when you swallow. It wasn’t until after my first antibiotic regimen was done, and I had a resurgence when my local doctor gave me the option of a stronger throat numbing spray for the pain. By that point, the pain was pretty much gone, but I appreciate the gesture. Moral of this story? Be your own best advocate whether it’s a fight with strep throat or your purpose like writing. I gave myself grace which is something I’m not familiar with. My Christmas break ended up being less fun and more rest-filled than I hoped, but that’s all over now. I’m recovered (fingers and toes crossed).
Once I recovered though (thanks to help from my fiancée and the rest of my family), it was time to get back on that horse. Hierarchy of needs and all that. At first, I hated myself for not being like Stephen King who writes like a man in a desert after being out in the sun all day needs water (and I know he’d rather write about it and then enjoy a glass.) Sure, I could have wrote (and hated myself in other ways), but I listened to my body and missed work, moved some holiday plans, and rested. I guess the best metaphor for me is the sickness being a dust storm. Instead of rushing through it, I took the horse back to the barn, made sure it was topped off on water and hay, and waited for the storm to pass before hitting the ol’ dusty trail.
Since restarting, I’ve been fairly consistent. My writing routine as of right now:
7:30PM - 8:30PM with automatic lights that change color to show it’s time to write.
Heilung
Phone down and trying not to answer if I can help it (still working on that part)
Still pantsing along
Chocolate as a reward afterward right away after tallying up my words which I put on my calendar while also updating my current word count here
Anyway, I’m feeling happy with how it’s going. I’m in the second act. The writing is getting somewhat easier. I’m excited to uncover these next two-thirds. I haven’t edited in a long time, but that part of my brain where my inner critic has been told to await its turn is tapping its long curly fingers, patiently waiting for the chance to whip out the red pen and point out how it sucks how it could be better.
There’s no right or wrong way to do things when it comes to a writer doing writing (aside from maybe letting AI do the creative work in a scheme to make money, or hurting someone while doing it…obviously.) Whatever way works for you, give it a shot, but don’t be afraid to mix things up. We are all works in progress. The road ahead is one with many obstacles we won’t know about until the horse bucks up. And after this project is done, like Dani Shapiro mentions in her book, Still Writing, I’ll remember the realization and growth I felt in the process. Even though seeing my name in print would be amazing too, it doesn’t mean the journey was less worth it or less important for me and anyone else I share it with.
Happy writing and here’s to a beautiful 2025.
