I have taken on this 25 days of writing challenge called “blogmas.” I am now halfway through crazy (Trust me. Crazy.) So I took a day to stop and rest.
Blogmas
One of the Facebook blogging groups I am in introduced me to this idea of blogging every day in December, ideally with a Christmas theme. The organizer of the group was all pumped up in the end of November: “Let’s do this!”
And hundreds of us in the group responded: “Yea! Let’s do it!” (Picture our fists in the air.)
I had already utterly failed at my November challenge with National Novel Writing Month. I wrote not one single word. Not one. I didn’t even outline an idea.
So when blogmas came up, I was determined to do it. I could write one essay a day. I didn’t have to organize a whole book. I could seek inspiration through my various channels and experiences, and I have.
Blogging everyday has been invigorating, thrilling, creative, and challenging. I have grown as a writer just in these few short days. I have found inspiration in the most unlikely places. And I have made wonderful friends along the way.
My group abandoned the challenge only a couple days in. The posts on the group feed for us to add our links have basically disappeared, and by now, day 13, I have just given up looking for them. I just write and post on all my social media platforms as I normally would. Just because the group admin gave up, doesn’t mean I have to.
No Judgment
I do not blame anyone who quit for quitting. It is hard. It is exhausting. It is a daily struggle to think of what to say and then to structure it into an essay with images, links, quotes, and edits. Then you have to post it everywhere and promote it! It is, to say the least, a job. And most of us have jobs already, in addition to being mothers.
Hell, I quite my daily writing challenge flat last month.
Which is why I am so determined to not quit this month. I saw blogmas as an opportunity to redeem myself. So far, so fabulous.
But Damn I’m Tired
I am tired. When I say December is a crazy month to do this, I mean it. I have contact writing due, Christmas festivities to plan and enjoy, shopping to do, wrapping, baking, and just basic life to live. On top of that, my students are in finals, which means my center is in all “hell has broken loose” finals mode for the next 8 days. We work straight through with no break until school is out for winter, twelve hours each on Saturday and Sunday alone.
So I Took a Break
My tooth started killing me last weekend. At first I thought I could ride it out, floss, take some Advil, it will pass.
It didn’t pass. By Monday when I showed up to work the pain was throbbing. I noticed I didn’t have any students on my schedule on Tuesday (the calm before the storm), so I did the unthinkable.
“Sooooo…” I began with my boss. He raised his eyebrows at me.
“Here she goes.” I know this is what he was thinking. He knows me pretty well.
“Since I don’t have any students tomorrow, can I take the day off?”
His eyebrows went up higher. Really.
“You’re playing it awfully casual with your days off lately.” He said to me.
I took a day off last week (another clear day on my schedule) because Celaya was sick.
And I know that my boss is not worried about controlling me or keeping me under his thumb at work or counting my sick or vacation days meticulously. He is worried about my paycheck and me getting the pay I need to pay my bills. He is the most generous and caring person I have ever worked with.
I explained the situation and told him that if he needed me in there for any reason, I would make it work.
He gave me the day off.
And I took it.
Halfway Through Crazy
I surprised my husband when he got home Tuesday: “Surprise! You don’t have to manage two crazy headstrong daughters by yourself all afternoon and evening!” (He was pleased.) I enjoyed a hot shower without kids screaming at me, I put my nice thick Hope In a Jar moisturizer on my face, and headed out to the dentist in leggings and a sweater, makeup free and feeling fresh, my Mini-Me riding copilot.
When you are in the middle of an insane amount of momentum it is important sometimes to just take a day. Have a nice dinner with your family, unplug from your phone for a couple hours, take a walk, remember why you are doing it all.
It was nice. It gave me perspective. It inspired me to work smarter.
Self Care
Because I knew I would be off for the whole day, I eased our way through it from early morning. We wandered over to a park on foot. We hiked up into the hills before heading back down. We had a relaxed lunch, dinner already in the crock pot.
Because I was relaxed, my kids were relaxed, which made me realize that I need to be more relaxed, to organize my life so that I feel more rested. This is what a self care day will give you: perspective.
I determined that I will walk or run every single day with no breaks. Just a mile walk is good enough for me when I’m with the kids. I can get a few miles in out running two or three days a week. Get out. My kids love it. I love it. We all feel better.
I will also follow my skin care regimen every night before bed. I adore my moisturizer and that simple act makes me feel rested and more mentally healthy.
And finally, I decided I am going to insist on seven to eight hours of sleep every single night.
Best Laid Plans
So, if you can, if you have the sick days, the vacation days, or you can afford to go without the pay for a day, take it. You won’t be sorry.
By taking a day, I was able to get a big picture glance at my life and make plans to organize, simplify, and make progress all at the same time.
I took my kids for a walk. I took care of my skin. And I plopped my phone down on the bathroom counter before midnight and headed in to bed.
I could easily get a full night’s sleep.
A few hours later my baby woke up, ready to party, sure that it was morning, and wondering where the sun was, where her sister was, and why we were insisting she go back to sleep.
Oh well. I can always try again tonight.