No, I'm not wishing Christmas was over and done-with. I'm not looking forward to weeks of bone-chillingly cold weather or snow up to my elbows (okay, maybe *one* of those snowfalls and then...it can warm up). I call this Holiday Hangover and I know the cause: I'm out of my routine.
As much as I enjoy the holidays, the parties, the family-seeing, the cooking and baking and decorating...all that time cuts in to my schedule. My time. Like most of you, I'm a busy, working mom. The fact that I work at home only compounds that because the bebe doesn't really understand that my desk is a work zone. She's beginning to respect my work time/space, but really? She's three. So it's a lot of constant interruptions and everything takes longer. So those moments I usually use to get some words on paper - yanno nap times, 10 minutes when she's focused on Mickey Mouse or a game or a book - those moments are taken up writing cards, planning holiday dinners, buying a present, getting ready for a party or for another flock of holiday guests to arrive. Don't get me wrong, I love all those things. Really and truly. But having those extra things take up all my time? Don't love that.
How am I coping? By using the time I still have. My pre-school mornings are NOT going to the holiday madness. Those moments - and I had two hours of it Monday - are being closely watched and hoarded by me. I had my phone for an emergency, but I locked it away. Turned off my data plan and just wrote while I was snuggled into my favorite booth, with the madness going on around me. Annoyed customers talking about things that didn't go right, annoyed employees who didn't want to be at work on a post-holiday Monday...I heard it all. And I gloried in the fact that, for 120 minutes I didn't have to worry about buying another gift or addressing another card or planning another meal. For those minutes I was just Kristina, writing away...and loving it.
How do you cope with the holiday madness?
Holiday hangover! I love it. I will need to be as disciplined as you with my writing time. I just tend to give it all up until the new year, actually January 6th, my daughter's birthday is January 5th. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI will be following and maybe you would consider following me
www.suzannepurvis.blogspot.com
Good post, Kristi, and I remember it well. Even now, when I HAVE time, I have a hard time using this precious holiday time wisely. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteThis time of year can put a lot of stress on a person. I can't seem to write at my normal pace during the holidays, because my mind is full of things that I should be doing or buying. So when my muse kicks in during that rush, I take advantage of it and write it all down.
ReplyDeleteGood Blog.
Neecy
Love your term for the holiday rush! Fun post Kristi :) As my kids have grown things have settled a bit in the holiday rush department...we still have our get togethers and so forth, but for some reason it doesn't feel as stressful. Probably because I'm not the one getting everyone around. They can do it themselves. LOL
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
I'm the same way. During the holidays I look at my computer with longing and wish I had a few moments to get that next scene written. Its compounded by the fact that I also work in retail so my bosses expect me to put in more time than I usually do, add to that all the holiday stuff I need to get done like gift shopping and baking, etc and I usually take a "holiday" from writing. But this year I'm going to try to at least work a little bit on my wip. We'll see how it works out.
ReplyDeleteOne word--retail.
ReplyDeleteIt saps all my energy. I did start someting new, and am dying to get back to it, but there just doesn't seem to be any time.
I know what you mean, Sharon and D'Ann - worked my way through college in retail. I needed therapy of the not-retail kind by the time the holidays were over. Good luck this year!
ReplyDeleteChristine, hope you have a wonderfully non-rushed holiday season!
Neecy, grab those moments when you can - your muse will thank you!
Liz, I have no idea how long my good intentions will last. We're nearly done shopping - which is a good thing! - but I know at some point the holidays will try to win. :)
Good luck this year, Suzanne!
Just when I think I'm doing okay with holiday preparations, I remember something else. I keep thinking I'll find a routine, but our family is so busy, the routine might be years away! I'm with you--guarding my writing time. :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the way it is, Jill? I was all caught up and then my MIL called...now I'm behind again.
ReplyDeleteI don't! This is the time if year that a funk comes over me--seasonal depression that doesn't leave until Spring arrives.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Kristi - take those moments where I can get them, hang on tight, and don't let anything get between them and me while I have them!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! Way to monopolize small bits of time. Keep going!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. So glad you saved that time for yourself and your writing, Kristi. Way to manage your time effectively!
ReplyDeleteHow do I cope?
ReplyDeleteHold on tight and hope for the best. :)
Every year I tell myself that I'm going to be completely prepared for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season before Thanksgiving. I've only done that one year.
But I do love Christmas and I don't mind the change in routine. Just don't expect me to do the mundane during the change, you know, things like laundry, bathrooms, etc. :)
Sheri, I'm with you - toss the mundane out the window. But that happens more than just during the holidays....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sloan! How's your writing going?
Jamie and Ayda, I'm hoarding those moments like they're gold!
Hugs to you, Jerri, hope you figure out something that works to take the SADD away.
Going good, Kristi. I'm finally back to my more normal output. Thanks for asking!
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