When do you know if you’ve outgrown something? If something that used to bring you joy and challenge and even comfort now just leaves you a bit anxious?
I haven’t written in months.
I’ve jotted down a line here and there. A scrap of a poem. The beginnings of various essays. Some journal entries (due largely in part to my short story class I taught in the fall…)
But nothing for this.
And what is this, anyway? It feels a bit naive to think that a blog is a valuable use of my time. I do not plan on being discovered this way (notice: this way), and I wonder if it’s time to throw in the towel.
You’ve had a good run. Thanks, old friend. Time to move on.
This question is all the more pressing because this blog will expire on February 18th unless I decide to continue.
Do I pull the plug and hope that something else fuels my creativity the way this used to?
[Maybe I’ll finally write on Saturday mornings without a deadline forcing me?]
Do I admit that I have had writer’s block (which I don’t even believe in) for roughly a year and a half?
[Maybe all the places I’ve been/things that I’ve done/books that I’ve read will inspire me?]
Or do I plunk some money down, embrace this place as something that will continue to challenge and grow me, and make myself type?
Jury’s still out.
But this is the most I’ve written since August, so maybe there’s hope yet.
[Photo: Gabe Knell]
Shoot. I’ve been using your inactivity to justify my own. (Please don’t stop writing.)
Ha! And I was thinking of you as I wrote it. We need to figure this out together.
I loved reading your blog and would miss it’s insight into what’s going on in your life and your head. I think you are no longer in-between it is time to start writing about your next stage of life.
I was thinking the same thing — perhaps it’s time for an update???
I enjoy your writing a lot! Have you ever listened to the “magic lessons” podcast by Liz Gilbert? I haven’t read her book, but I do really enjoy the podcast. It’s helped me with my own creativity. The last episode of season 1 (with brene brown) is my favorite. Good luck!
(Also idk if it’s just me, but your post’s email was super tiny font and I had to zoom in a ton, just FYI!)
It’s not up to me, but if I had a vote, I would vote yes! Keep blogging!
Thank you, Maggie! I’m always looking for a good podcast, so I’ll definitely check out Liz Gilbert’s. And I LOVE Brene Brown. Sounds like a win! (Also, thank you for the info about the email — I’ll see what I can do!)
Keep the blog, sweetie. These things run in seasons and phases. Your writing is too beautiful; don’t deprive us of it forever, just for a while here and there. (And you never know about being discovered …
Thanks, Hannah. I am so hoping that I will reconnect with this part of myself! I need to be more okay with ebbs and flows.