Getting the Drop on Frustration
The last couple of weeks have been extremely frustrating. I seem to start things, then either forget where I was going, or don’t know what the next step should be. My usual ability to sit back and allow the steps to come, just as I allow the words to come when I write seems to have deserted me. Needless to say, the frustration of not moving is keeping me from moving.
I’ve entered a kind of Catch 22 zone of oblivion where I don’t move forward, but I don’t move backwards either. I’m stuck in one place, unable to move. But it’s not fear that keeps me stagnant, at least I don’t think it is. It’s more of an inability to figure out which direction to take when none of them look particularly appealing, or likely to lead me to a positive result.
In the past, I’ve told myself and others:
When all else fails, just pick something and start!
At the moment, I’m unable to follow my own advice. The files containing the individual chapters of my memoir haven’t been touched in days. The inspiration I had for how to divide it into sections sits in its original state, untouched after the flood of words hit the page which should have given me some guidance on how to proceed. I feel like I have lots of carts, but no horses. Yet I’m unable to find the wherewithal to either buy, borrow, or rent a horse, an ox, or even an ass to get this vehicle moving forward again.
Knowing When to Shift Gears
I know in part it’s because I let myself get sucked into other peoples’ drama yet again, and Created with
am still shaking off the fetters that put on me. I am, at least, putting some new habits into place thanks to a birthday gifted copy of “The Writing Diet” by Julia Cameron. Though I was resistant to regular daily walks after going through her “The Artist’s Way”, I’m at least willing to give it a try.
I’ve discovered a brisk 20-minute walk will take me from my house to the small park about a block away, through the park, down the main drag’s greenbelt, and back around to my street with a nice downhill path to my house. Depending on the pace, it might be a little more or less than 20 minutes which is, for now, perfect.
Changing Up the Morning Routine to Beat the Doldrums
Surprisingly, I don’t miss starting the morning with coffee and my usual light breakfast. If anything, the walk makes me appreciate it more. Also surprising is my disinclination to languish on Social Media after the walk. I grab my breakfast, check stats, re-post from wherever the day’s post appeared, and get down to the business of business.
I seem to have answered my own question; solved my own problem here. I started out talking about how unmotivated and scattered I’m feeling, yet the first of many brisk morning walks seems to have cleared at least the first layer of cobwebs allowing me to both look at my social media through different eyes, and let inspiration flow to write my last post for June. Doing so means my next task will be to create July’s schedules, thereby opening up more opportunities.
Re-motivating Myself Towards What I Think is Important
What it doesn’t do, however, is get me working on projects like my memoir, the PCF course, 
or any of the million and three things I need to do to promote and expand my business. But if history is any indication, once I begin moving in a direction, any direction, inspiration and motivation will somehow find their way to me.
As a freelancer, it’s a daily struggle to accomplish at least something while keeping up with household chores and self-care. I’m easily distracted by something that needs to get done, even though I know it doesn’t need to get done this very minute. I have learned to follow a certain routine in the mornings (one which has now been modified to include a 20-minute walk) which gets me in front of my computer working on at least one business-related task before I go off on the rest of the day’s adventures.
The system doesn’t work perfectly, but given I’m now 3 weeks ahead on blog posts instead of the 2 week mark I’d been struggling to break, I’d say the system is working. Interestingly, I’ve gotten a couple of messages recently to look back a little and see how far I’ve come rather than looking forward to see how far I have to go.
A Time to Ignore the Hard and Fast Rules
Though looking back is usually ill-advised, there comes a time, and this is one of them, when looking back actually gives me the inspiration and motivation to keep moving forward. It helps me see the baby steps I’ve taken have morphed into some pretty giant leaps, even if it doesn’t seem like it from the valley where I’m currently standing. What appears to be an unscaleable mountain before me was reached by way of a lot of other hills, mountains, and valleys.
I’ve actually been tackling projects of increasing difficulty without realizing it, because I’ve gathered new tools and skills along the way. But the biggest gain in the last couple of years has been confidence. I’ve learned to say “I’m a writer” without feeling like an imposter. I’m still learning to own my expertise in certain areas, but at least I’ve learned not to deny it out of hand.
Pick a Direction and Start Stepping
Sometimes, the path out of frustration really is simply picking a direction and starting to 
walk, sometimes literally, and others, figuratively. Either way, progress is made. The physical act of walking may be for self-care, at least on the surface. Walking down the street, noticing things like houses which haven’t yet replaced asphalt driveways with concrete, or purple flowers on some of the trees engages the senses without effort.
Moving first thing in the morning instead of going from bed to desk, to kitchen, and back to desk gets blood flowing to the brain more quickly and easily. It wakes up all those synapses and gets them firing before the rest of my body and mind have a chance to say:
I’m tired and confused. Nothing is working and I just don’t wanna.
Small Changes Yield Big Results
After just one session, I’m already seeing Ms. Cameron is right. Walking gets the creative juices flowing whether we want them to or not (and in my case, I always want them to!). Right now, it’s probably the change-up in my routine as much as it is the walk, but I’m looking forward to how the next weeks and months unfold with the addition of a little morning exercise that doesn’t involve driving to the gym or weights (though that habit will continue too!).
I’ve been talking at length, here and on my blog about setting new habits. It’s been awhile since I established a new one. Maybe that’s the source of my frustration. My mind and body needed a new habit to start chewing on! And thus, once again, it’s the little things which seem to make the biggest difference in my life, my habits, my mindset, and my health.
Is it Time for You to Consider Outsourcing?
Do you have too much to do and not enough time? Do you struggle to figure out what to tackle first? Would you like to take a task or two off your plate? Maybe it’s content creation, or perhaps it’s getting your books in order and creating a budget. If this sounds familiar and you’re ready to streamline your life and give your business space to grow and thrive, CONTACT ME and let’s talk!
About the Author
Sheri Conaway is a writer, blogger, ghostwriter, and advocate for cats. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income. If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author. And check out her new group, Putting Your Whole Heart Forward.
Be sure to watch this space for news of the upcoming release of ” Rebuilding After Suicide”.
