IWSG ~ The Zone

Well, we've arrived at our third Insecure Writer Support Group post of this pandemic. Maybe it's the fourth. Guess that depends on where you live. Any hoot, today we're exploring this question:

Do you have any rituals that you use when you need help getting into the ZONE?

Care to share?

Finding my muse was never an issue for me for the first few years - and numerous manuscripts - I wrote. Blogging was my big go-to for getting the zone in sight. But it seemed after my first two books were published that my inspiration to draw me into the writing zone vanished. Like literally POOF! I've dissected the possible reasons for this distress and have whittled it down to this - after two big years of seeing my books out in the world and with all the marketing and promotion I had to do, the reality of what it really means to be a published author hit me. That realization zapped me hard.

I have come up with a few things that help me find my zone again. The biggest one is to simply sit in the chair and write. Write anything. It doesn't matter. Sometimes it's even an entry for my daily journal. Whatever. It's almost like seeing the words type or write out on the page reminds me that I can do this.

Other, more mundane things I do are: read a book (Not online, either. That is just a temptation to check my email or whatever to procrastinate.), take the dog for a walk, do housework, or listen to music. Sometimes I watch a movie that's similar to my genre or scene I'm writing. Helps me feel what needs to be written.

OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Thank you to this month's co-hosts!  Feather Stone, Beverly Stowe McClure, Mary Aalgaard, Kim Lajevardi, and Chemist Ken!

Want to join in the fun of posting once a month about your insecurities, goals, fears, and progress? Or want to read what other participants have to say? Click on the link in the teeny logo.

What about you? Any secret methods to pull yourself into the motivation and inspiration of the writing zone?

It's O-Kay To #ReachOutToConnect

***I was inspired by Cheryl Rainfield, one of the sweetest and kindest authors I know, to share my thoughts and feelings about how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting so many. Find Cheryl's post HERE. ***
Fear. Isolation. Loneliness. Anxiety. Apprehension. Lack of motivation. Sadness. Confusion. Depression.
You may have felt some or all of these emotions during your lifetime. You may be feeling then now since #socialdistancting and #selfconfinement began. Since your daily routine stopped abruptly, leaving you reeling with unknowns and what-ifs.
It feels like yesterday.  And then like forever-ago.
That's normal. Understandable. It's O-kay.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. 

It's hard. I totally get it. There is plenty to fear, plenty to feel isolated over, and plenty to box each one of us into the confinement of any of those emotions. But we can battle our way through this.
TOGETHER.

• Give yourself permission to feel. Yes, feel whatever it is you're feeling. #NoShameInCoping
• Take comfort in knowing there are many out there feeling as you do. Revisit old photos, journals, or newspaper clippings. Remember the good, and know more good will come your way. #ShieldYourMentalHealth
• Reach out to others through email, a phone call, or even set up an online virtual meeting. #ReachOutToConnect 

Loneliness and the feeling of isolation (or even of claustrophobia) can hit anyone, even someone in a busy household. I'm married, a mother to four, owner of three cats and a GSD puppy, and a business owner with my husband - plus I write. We're still coming in virtual contact with customers and with each other, yet at times I feel alone. 
Solution: A few of my good friends and I have been setting up a virtual call at least once a week since the pandemic began. I can't tell you how therapeutic these cyber chat sessions have been. We even share a drink together. Our kids, husbands, and even our dogs and cats steal the screen to make their own virtual appearance during our meetings.
SELF CARE

For most of us, life is one big ball of hurry up. We are running here and there, whether during work hours, family time, or adult time. So much so that we find it hard to slow down, let alone come to an almost complete standstill like during our current world pandemic. Here are some suggested activities to help with self care during this time. 

• read a book
• jot down your thoughts in a journal
• take a walk with the dog
• make yourself a special sweet treat
• clean or rearrange rooms in your house
• do a craft you've always wanted to do
• knitting or sewing
• learn calligraphy
• exercise
• play an instrument
• virtually taking up yoga
• watch an old movie you used to love
• flip through old photographs
• do a treasure hunt in your basement or attic
• light candles
• drink plenty of water
• pray

Helpful Self-Care sites.

1. OCD
2. Stress
3. Mayo Clinic
4. Stay-At_Home
5. Ways To Stay Healthy

*Some information previously share in my newsletter.*

1. I also have a Young Adult Health (Mental & Physical) Page on my website with helpful links to mental health & illness, eating disorders, drug addition, healthy teen project, and more. Please feel free to utilize that page. FOUND HERE.

I'm hoping you connect with some of this and that you find it helpful. If you do, please share it with others you think could benefit from it. Want to share this information or have some helpful thoughts or links to share? Please use hashtags #NoShameInCoping, #ShieldYourMentalHealth, & #ReachOutToConnect.
My hope is that you believe you are not alone. We are much stronger when we stand together. 
Wishing you health, happiness, and peace . . .