Despite our best plans, we may find we have very little control over our creative lives. We schedule writing time every day, but then we get sick or duty of some kind calls us away. We have word count goals, but some days it’s a struggle to reach half that. We have a novel mapped out, but when we reach the halfway point, that cool revelation we planned falls flat.
Of course, if you’re like me, some of your plans weren’t realistic to begin with. If they were, I’d have finished 2 novels and a few short stories this year, started my podcast, learned video editing software, started a writers’ group, and taken some art classes. Honestly, I could be retired and wouldn’t have time for all that.
I’ve learned I’m much happier and more creative when I allow myself to let go of my plans. I need goals and weekly schedules to keep myself on track, but when life strikes – as COVID did this past week – I also have to let go and let life happen.
I don’t think life was trying to “tell me something” when I got sick. There’s no “reason” for it. I haven’t been reckless avoid contagious viruses or overworking to the point I make myself ill. It’s just a thing that happened. And when things happen, it’s ok to admit you can’t control your schedule or your attention span, and instead pay attention to what needs doing.