Today is the final day of the Seven-Day Blog Challenge. The topic for this final assignment is about reflection.
With the hectic life most of us lead these days, we often dream of having a day to relax and do the things we want to do instead of what we have to do. We spend weeks, or even months in some cases, planning a vacation. We long for spending time away from normal activities, and having time to rest. For me, there is nothing more relaxing than sitting next to a lake or stream high in the mountains. There is something calming about being in nature, but at the same time, the sound of the constant moving water and rusting of aspen leaves fuels my creative side.
Whether it’s spending time in the mountains, or the beach for those who prefer that, or even having a few extra hours to stay in bed with a good book, taking a break allows us time to reflect on our priorities and life in general.
But how do we translate those moments of reflection in to our everyday lives? Obviously, a blog challenge is minor compared to taking time to reflect on career, family, and spiritual issues. But as I’ve taken time to think about the past seven days of writing, there are some things I’ve learned about my writing goals.
- As a fiction writer, I am much better with writing about made up people and places. Writing a blog post for seven days straight was certainly a big part of this challenge for me. Some days I had to cram something in late at night, but I got it done. I met that part of the challenge, and I’m glad I pushed myself to do so.
- The main reason I started this blog was to support my fiction writing goals. But over time, I’ve realized I want to help other people with creative goals who, because of job or family situations, feel their creative dreams slipping away. I felt like that for a long time. But thanks to challenges like this one, I know I have a lot more to say than just what I can put in a novel.
- Working a full-time job that often requires working overtime, and trying to finish a novel, leaves little time for fun. But in order to keep my creative juices flowing, I know I need some downtime. Whether it’s going to a football game (one of my favorite things), reading a book (another favorite thing), or just sitting on my deck listening to music, taking time to get away from the computer and the phone is important.
- Having a specific assignment each day helped me to focus on what to write. Sometimes ideas pop into my head, and I can write for hours. Other times, I sit at the computer and spend more time deleting what I write than actual writing. I am going to start a list of possible topics from news stories, other blogs I read, and my observations of life around me. That way, I will have a go-to list for when I need an idea.
What’s your favorite way to relax when you have a day off? When you plan a vacation, do you prefer lots of activities or more quiet time to rest?
Reignite your creativity!
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