What's gone on this week
In keeping with last week's observations about the change in my seasonal rhythms I took Sunday off from writing. The chapter I was working on wasn't budging and I just wanted to dream. So I did and it was exactly what I needed. Even though it put me behind on my writing schedule it was well worth it.
We had a heat wave a couple of weeks ago that drove me to go home during lunch and turn on our A/C. I discovered that it also gave me an opportunity to write. I normally have a hard time writing during my lunch break. It's hard to transition between my work brain and my writing brain when I'm at work. Even stepping out of the office and finding someone else to go doesn't usually work. I prefer to take a break by going for a walk instead. But going home at lunch puts me in a different frame of mind.
I listen to a podcast in the car on the way home. (I feel so lucky to live within a short drive of work.) By the time I step through the door my work brain has powered down. I open my laptop, tune into my story, and go. It's been easy to find the flow. 30 minutes is a perfect amount of time. I don't feel like I have enough time to write a lot, which takes the pressure off, but if I can slip into the flow I can get a good chunk on the page. By the time I get back to the office I feel amazing. I've put my creativity at the literal center of my day, taking time out of my usual schedule to pay attention to it, and that is huge.
Discovering this had made me think about my routines around writing and creativity. I write from my couch most of the time. Most of the time I do a little bit when I come home from work before dinner and then more after dinner. I'm usually scrolling through Instagram or surfing the web before hand. Now I wonder if a more defined routine would hep me slip into the flow more regularly and easily. Creative time doesn't need to be treated as if it's sacred. To me it is regardless of whether or not I have a ritual around it. But rituals can be powerful and helpful.
Do you have a defined routine around your creative practice?
Garden update
The cosmos I grew from seed have their first flower bud! The plants are still young but it's very satisfying to see that one of them, at least, will probably flower.
I'm thinking about taking the garden apart and redesigning the structure. Partly to see if I can maximize the space a bit more and also to see if I can get a slightly better flow. It's going to take some thought so I probably won't do much until the winter.
What I'm loving lately
I've been craving scones lately - the kind you have with clotted cream, jam, and a big pot of tea. So I made some. I use the food processor method. You can find the link to the recipe I use (from Joy of Cooking) and a description of the food processor method here. Afternoon tea is a daily ritual for me but I don't always take the time to make a pot with loose leaf tea and enjoy something as decadent as scones. The fact that I shared it with two of my writing friends made it even better. That kind of experience is so nourishing and cozy.
Word Count
5654