So yesterday I was telling my friend Eileen that maybe I wasn’t writing much this year because I was losing interest. I said it all casual-like, but in a way, it sort of scared me. Because you know, losing interest right now is not exactly a good thing since I have worked so hard for so many years, I have a wonderful agent, and my first book out on submission.
But then today, one day later, I woke up excited to write! And I had a great writing day and did some good work. So the questions that nagged me all day were: If I’m not losing interest in writing, why have I written less this year than ever before? Why have I taken more time off than I’ve actually worked? Why have whole months gone by without writing anything much at all?
And then, tonight, I was emailing another friend and I was talking about it and I wrote the following: I guess I need to cut myself a little slack because we did move to a new country and it took me a year to get used to the South when I moved there from the west coast, so I guess I should give myself a year here too!
It was like the light bulb literally turned on over my head. Ummm…yeah, I did finish painting and decorating my office last October, and I was unpacked by November, but I MOVED TO A NEW COUNTRY! Not just a new town, but a NEW COUNTRY. There is a lot to learn in a new country! There are new people to meet. New habits, new foods, new procedures. Heck, we’re still trying to get our car insurance straightened out, not to mention our taxes that I did wrong (in my favour luckily). Oh, and then there are the words like favour, colour, neighbour, and cheque. No wonder I haven’t written very much this year! I don’t even know what spellings to use anymore.
Whew! You have no idea what a relief this realization is to me. At the end of the month we will be here for one year. I’m sure I’ll be writing up a storm after that! Unless, of course, new countries take two years to get used to! Just kidding, just kidding!
Very true. It’s so important to cut ourselves some slack! Besides what you wrote, I’ve also found that life in a new country is so interesting, I’m not necessarily inspired to spend so much time in my own head. I tell myself I’m stockpiling inspiration for later.
It’s so nice to figure out what is holding us back. I went through a similar block and realized I probably just need to try a different kind of writing for a while. I won’t be able to totally turn my back on magazine writing because I need money but I started work a children’s book and I feel excited again.
Best wishes!
Kristen at http://www.thefamilythatreadstogether.blogspot.com
Being from the South and having never lived anywhere but Tennessee, I can still totally understand your light bulb realization, Joelle. Dang, moving DOWN THE STREET a block can disrupt a person’s patterns and routines. I’d hate to think what kind of jellyfish I’d become if I actually ever went somewhere, for real. Moving is supposed to be one of those Top Ten stressors. Go easy on yourself. Happy writing. And happy one year anniversary for being in your new country!
Now I wish I could pretend that was just the English way but unfortunately I just have problems with you’re and I don’t read things through 🙂
Excellent news, I’m so glad your writing.
This post made me smile as I think you said something similar to me a while back about how big moving to a new country really is!
Oh and look at all those pretty U’s in the words how I miss them 🙂