Writing is a funny occupation. Seriously. It’s funny and crazy and one HECK of a challenge. I’ve talked with authors in the last week or so who are thrilled to be writing, grateful to be writing, struggling with writing, being driven CRAZY by writing (or more to the point, fast approaching deadlines). Many days, I’m immersed in the business of writing. Usually I love that. But every once in awhile, when the phone’s going crazy and my email is acting up and I’m behind on everything…well, I need a break. From deadlines and submissions and stress and all the facets of making a living in the crazy world of words and publishing. On those days, I take a micro-vacation. It can be last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, however long I need to rejuvenate my brain and enthusiasm.
When (not if, mind you) you find yourself needing a break, here are some suggested “trips” to try:
- First, just STOP. Stop trying to write words, figure out problems, meet deadlines, fix problems. Turn off the computer, the phone, any and all technology. If you need to, shut of your brain. Then, WALK AWAY. get away from your desk, or wherever you focus on your work. Even if it’s only for five minutes, just leave everything.
- Go outside and attack the weeds assaulting my garden. Sometimes the best way to figure out how to resolve a “thorny” issue in my job is to pull weeds. Can’t explain it, but it helps.
- Close your eyes and listen to music.
- Fix yourself a cup of tea or coffee (for me, it’s a mocha with a SERIOUS head of foam) and watch an episode of a favorite TV show (Downton Abbey, Everybody Loves Raymond, Law & Order, Longmire, Rizolli & Isles, to name a few)
- Play with Pinterest.
- Play with your pets. My dogs are always ready and willing to help me relax.
- Sit in the hot tub.
- Float in the pool.
- Clean your desk
- Take a power nap
- Phone a friend
- Write a letter
- If you can’t escape your desk or computer physically, then hop on over to http://inkygirl.com/wwfc to read the cartoons. I always find a smile there.
The key with micro-vacations is to set a time limit so you don’t end up just putting yourself even further behind. Remember, what you’re trying to do is get out of the grind and give your heart and mind a short break. It can be remarkably effective.
So how about all of you? What micro-vacations have you taken? Or what ones would you like to take?
Writing is my micro-vacation from my life. It’s difficult to fit it in between business demands, power outages, laundry, vacuuming to control this year’s out-of-control flea infestation, and the other stuff of life. This is the time I usually write (7am), but right now I’m so tired I can barely focus. I will take my mini-vacation, from my mini-vacation of writing, by flopping face down on the bed for a mini-nap!
Haha, Facebook is always a micro-vacation. 😉
But seriously, just diving into a good book can do wonders for my stifled creativity.
What a great post, Karen! One thing I love to do is go on youtube and listen to fun Christian Comedy routines.
Great post, Karen. I’m a queen at power napping. Years of insomnia have taught me how to do this. 🙂 When my body is just tired, I microvacation on my pillow for ten or fifteen minutes.
Sometimes, I go for a walk and really look at the world around me–mountains, leaves, flowers, landscaping. Other times, I scrapbook or, like Lindsay, visit Facebook for a little while. 😉
The timer is definitely my friend when it comes to microvacations.
Enjoyed this post and I’m definitely working (once again) on my computer time-management skills. So hard when you’re waiting to get an important e-mail…
And I just realized you’re the Karen Ball who wrote THE BREAKING POINT that I’m reading now. The one who likes doggies! I love my own dog (Shiloh Shepherd–like a taller German Shep. w/longer hair) and I’m definitely going to hang out some outside w/her today.
Thanks for the reminder!
Hi, Karen,
Thank you for writing this much-needed post. In addition to being a writer, I am also a life coach. Stress is a major issue today and one that needs to be addressed because of its serious consequences.
I love your idea of mini-vacations. One of my favorite is to imagine I am with Jesus walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. As a light breeze blows in from the water, I listen to our Lord’s gentle voice teaching me how to walk more closely with Him. To help me during my mini-vacation, I read passages from the Gospels, such as the Sermon on the Mount or other passages that occurred near the Sea of Galilee. I’ve also uploaded a picture of the Sea of Galilee as my desktop wallpaper. Whenever I need to regroup, I close out all windows and just bask in the beauty of that glorious view.
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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MaryAnn Diorio, PhD, MFA
A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING
Harbourlight Books-December 2012
A Division of the Pelican Book Group
Great post, Karen. For me it’s either playing my piano, stitching my current needlepoint project, or playing with my kitties. 🙂 There’s a lot to be said for stroking the soft fur of a feline (and thankfully I’m not allergic since I have 6!).
Great post!! The trick for me is not letting the mini-vacation turn into a sabbatical where I’m “vacationing” for a few days. Then I’m out of the habit. Grr!!
When I do need a break, I like to watch a movie with a writer in it like Stranger than Fiction, Little Woman, or Anne of Green Gables. If Anne can survive rejection, then I can too. And if Jo can make $5 on a story and become a published author, then I can too. (which actually happened to me. $5 for a children’s story in a small magazine.)
Watching other writers, albeit fictional writers, struggle and succeed, inspires me to keep working and struggling!
Thanks, Karen
Great post. For me, it’s walking to the mailbox every day. It’s just far enough that I get a solid break without being away for too long.
Sometimes, you just need to see the sky for a few minutes.
Facebook, twitter, pinterest, cards, kitties, doggies, walkies… everything you do… Ohhhhh… I could live on micro-vacations for ever.
I wanna go to the cool place in the picture you posted.
Just sayin’.
I love to spend time with family but sometimes I need to just sit and immerse myself in a good book. To read just for pleasure. To escape it all and remind myself that this is what I am striving for- to have someone else use my words as an escape from their day!
Power naps are a good solution for me. A good book, movie, favorite TV show help as well.
Nature is a great “go to getaway” for me–even if it’s only sitting on my front porch with a cup of coffee, listening to the music of the wind blowing through the trees. Always something interesting outside–the colors, the clouds, the stars…ahh…just thinking about it. Sharing time with a pet, putting paint to canvas works for me to.
You’re right on–couldn’t function without “micro-vacations”.
oops-too.:)
Thanks for the encouragement. Gardening helps me too. I just need to see a few weeds and I’m ready to start blowing things up again in my pretend writing world. Kidding…mostly.
If I can spare thirty minutes or more, I grab my camera and go for a short drive on the back roads near my home. The goal is to discover and capture beauty in nature. It may be a lovely landscape, an interesting rock, or a friendly cow. On one such outing I spotted a flock of wild turkeys foraging with a small herd of llamas, a curly-horned ram (of the domestic kind), and a huge carved black bear standing in the middle of an empty field. The “ahhs” and “wows” get my creative juices flowing.
I have started playing MahJongg one afternoon a week. I can’t think about the latest issue I’m having with my characters or editor or marketing when I’m trying to figure out how to win by a Pung or a Chow! 🙂 Then I can go back to the computer refreshed. I never thought I would enjoy spending a couple of hours playing a game, but it has been the perfect diversion for me–and a wonderful time with friends.
Beside the obvious social meeting minivacations, I go dancing, swing or ballroom. It’s a couple of hours of escape with great music, fun people, dancing and adrenaline that clears the head, works the body and feeds my soul! And if anyone needs a minivacation before ACFW conference, I’ve got a group going swing dancing Wednesday night and you don’t have to know how to dance to enjoy the atmosphere. Plus, they give lessons!! Consider this an invite, Karen! 🙂