Decisions
As you all can tell, I haven’t stuck to the 31 days of writing challenge! I felt so much pressure around making the daily posts that It made me shut out my writing all together, and to me that is not what I wanted this challenge to stand for.
I thought time and space would allow me to do the 31 days of writing this month! I was ready for it, I was wanting to connect to all the wonderful people on this same journey, but each time I went to write, I would notice how many days I was behind and it was discouraging!
I then thought about it more and said to myself, “is pushing myself to write every day a true way to connect to others and my writing?” The answer was no, and I think I realized this time around that the 31 day challenge is not for me as much as I wish it was. It made me sad!!
I don’t want to force myself to write just because that is what the challenge requires. Does forcing myself to write to meet a daily deadline healthy for my mind? I think it stresses me out, and I’m reading more and more about others who feel exact same way!
Writing for me comes from a very deep place, and when I write, it comes from a place where I connect to myself, and to what is going on inside. I can’t just sit and write to write, it has to come from something – a feeling, a thought, an experience, a certain energy within.
This challenge was too demanding on the way I write, so I decided to stop the challenge and go back to what it is I love to do, and that is writing from the journey I am on, and choosing times to write when I really feel it; not just to force myself daily to meet the daily writes.
Its a great challenge, don’t get me wrong! I respect and love what this challenge is about! I thought it was going to be ok to miss a couple of days here and there, but it got too overwhelming and I don’t want it to take away my true love of writing and why I do it. I dont want to get so burnt out that is takes the love out of my writing.
SO, right now? I re-focused my energy back to writing the way I love to write, and I also decided that I am going to make a new look to my blog! I am working on a new layout! I am truly excited about it, and I cannot wait to share it with you all.
Thank you to all who were on this 31 days challenge with me! I admire those who have done this challenge thus far and succeeded, but its not for me, and I want to re-focus back to what this blog stands for me. I am excited about what is to come for this blog and my writing.
Thank you to all who conitnue to support this journey and my writing – I love all my writing friends.
8 Comments
ngladwin60
October 14, 2017 at 11:16 AM
Karen Beth: I really like the simple, lots of white space, look to your blog! I understand the challenges of Write 31 Days, this is my third year. This year I gave myself grace and did not write every day. I was learning a new technique, making videos and posting them on my blog, so that took time. Blessings to you!
Karrilee Aggett (@KarrileeA)
October 14, 2017 at 11:57 AM
I love how you are following your heart and how you know what is best for you! I’ve been doing the #write31days challenge for many years now –and it is just that, a challenge! I tend to only write when I feel a prompting from God and so sitting down every single day is not my normal routine, for sure! I think we put a ton of pressure on ourselves and sometimes we are called to push through and find the discipline and joy of writing every day (it’s the hitting Publish part that makes it hard and scary!) and sometimes, like with you this year, we find we are not called to do it after all!
Grace to you, my friend! Proud of you! #youdoyouboo
karenbethc72
October 15, 2017 at 1:53 AM
thanks … i’m so lucky to have wonderful people like you to connect to. i really wanted to do this but decided to read do my blog instead … hoping for a new layout this weekend 🙂
bethanyk
October 14, 2017 at 12:34 PM
How ironic you have written this. I was going to do the same thing and then 3 days passed and I felt like writing nothing. Then I realized my writing, too comes from this deep place, and sometimes i will write something, then write 3 poems, then write some more and then write nothing for days. It is so personal that putting a requirement on it didn’t seem to work for me either even though I totally support those who can
karenbethc72
October 15, 2017 at 1:54 AM
thank you ans it’s so nice to still meet people on this journey who are doing it. i’m glad i made this decision.
Gayl
October 14, 2017 at 7:08 PM
I love that you want to write in a way that reflects what you are feeling or experiencing rather that write for writing’s sake. Doing what is best for you in your writing is better than following a formula of posting for 31 days. I remember one year I started off doing it and then had to drop out. This year I’ve tried to make it more simple, but sometimes I still overthink it. At least I’m enjoying it, and that’s what counts. Thanks for sharing and following your heart.
Blessings to you!
Rachel Kathrine
October 15, 2017 at 2:13 AM
Love your honest sharing, thank you x
Rayne
October 15, 2017 at 2:58 AM
I agree with everything you wrote, as I feel the same way about these daily challenges. I would love to start one, but I know it’s not for me. Do what is important to you. 🙂