“I wish I had more time to write.”
I say this to myself multiple times a day. Since I was a little girl, I have always loved words. I used to fill notebooks with lengthy stories that reflected my wild imagination. During my angst-ridden teenage years, I turned to poetry as a form of self-expression. I have kept a journal on and off since I was a kid. Writers are my heroes. I love that by sharing our stories, we can connect to others. In this way, I have always felt that the written word is magical.
After a long hiatus, I began writing again last spring. I started my blog to share ideas about health and fitness, but over the months my posts have evolved into a collection of more honest and personal writings. Although some of my posts still reflect the original intended themes, I mainly write about what I love. I am grateful that I have found my voice through the written word. It is a release for me.
When I think about how I want to write, I picture myself at a desk with a steaming mug of tea next to my computer. I envision the sun shining in through the window and quiet music playing in the background. But of course, it’s never like that.
I write in frantic bursts, whenever I can. I have 14 half-written articles stored in my Gmail drafts. I take notes on my iPhone. I find 15 minutes here and there to work on my pieces. But I rarely write at my desk. There is never quiet music playing in the background. Ideas pop in and out of my head and I grab scraps of paper to record them. When I have quiet time in my day, I want to run to my computer and let the words flow, but then my daughter wakes up from her nap or I look in the fridge and realize we have no food or someone calls, and the moment is gone.
How I write is far from ideal, but its the only way that I can get my ideas on paper. And I am writing a lot. I blog every week and have a backlog of articles that I submit to publications regularly. A few have actually been published. Some of my work has been written in one sitting when I felt particularly inspired. Others are written over days or weeks. I have no type of plan or organized system. I simply write when I can.
People often ask me how I have the time to write. I really don’t, but I find it. I carve it out whenever I can: sitting in the car while my daughter dozes, during those first few moments when I wake up in the early morning or when dinner is cooking.
I can’t imagine that I will ever write quietly at my desk with the sun shining through my window. I yearn for that, but it never happens. And during those rare moments when I find myself in that position, I typically have nothing to say. The words only come out when I am living them.
I wish I had more time to write, but maybe this is how my writing needs to be: frantic, scattered and truthful. This is how I find my voice.
To my friends who have recently expressed the desire to blog or write, this is how you start: you find 5 minutes or 50 minutes in your day, and write in a notebook or on a computer or in your iPhone. You just begin and grab those moments whenever you can. After all, as expressed so well in one of my favorite quotes: “there is nothing to writing. all you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” That is precisely what I do, in my own chaotic way.
It’s not perfect, but you’re making it work. That’s great!
I have so much more that I want to say, blog posts that never get written … it’s because I love to include photos and I over-edit myself so it takes forever.
I need to start writing snippets here and there, so whenever I have a few more minutes to spare I can make it count!
its the best i can do… 🙂
I can really appreciate this post. I too enjoy writing, but I find that I end up putting my ideas into practice and not always into words or I post a short version of what would be a full article on social media to just get the thought out there… but I find that when I hold myself accountable to posting a full blog I am proud of myself and the end result. Thanks for letting us know that that we are not alone with “finding time” and WOW! Good for you to keep up with blogging weekly!
its hard! we all have to just do what works. i just started getting babysitting so i could write a few times a month and i am so glad i did. it gives me time to edit etc., but my writing is still scattered.
I often vision myself sitting in a chaise on the lake or beach, anywhere near water, but when I finally get there I fall asleep because its so peaceful! I love that you have become thrifty with finding ways…I never thought of while I’m cooking. Thank you for the inspiration!
ha!
I grab those moments whenever i can…
Writing is one of those things that is often taken for granted. I think it is wonderful that you dedicated yourself to consistently writing. I relate to how the situation is usually different, but it never seems to be, as you said, quietly at my desk, with the sun shining through the window. I would love to be able to write in the sun on the beach, every single day. Living in the middle of the country doesn’t make that possible though unless I am traveling. Writing really is a marvelous thing, whether it be to get feelings out, to get information out, to reflect, plan, ect.
It is a wonderful thing! 🙂
I’m not a writer but I do wish I took my time to journal because it always makes me feel better. It’s a form of therapy for me. And I always enjoy going back a year or longer and seeing what I wrote about and reminding myself what was going on in my life at that time. This post motivated me to journal this week. I’m gonna do it!
that is awesome! its such a great release for me as well.
I wish I had more time to write too, sister! I KNOW I have neglected other things, even a social life, so I could write. It’s my passion, my creativity and my outlet. I have to do it, sort of like other people HAVE to exercise. I find that writing is my exercise. I am glad you brought up the sad fact that we cannot always find time for our passions, but these blogs are more than business aids – so much more. They are our hearts and souls being recorded, finding a place to sing, revealing depth and honesty.
i could not agree more.
I wish I more time to write as well. But glad you carving time out for it! Glad I found you in Blogging Mommy Meetup! #Blogma
thanks cara! me too!
Keep writing. I love that you are always finding to do precisely what you love. Why not? I love looking back on journals and other things I write down. #BLOGMA
its always so great to look back…
I totally agree with this. I writing but did not realize how much joy it would bring me. Keep writing. #BLOGMA
i am… 🙂
I’m very impressed with how much you writing considering all your responsibilities. I find that if I’m organized and schedule time to write, that’s when I write my best because my thoughts follow a steady stream of consciousness.
thats great! its so hard for me to schedule it in, but occassionally i do get babysitting so I can write. i never regret it!