The sun is up, it’s time for bed. That’s how I feel so often. By the time I wake up, the kids are growling for breakfast, my hair is a frizzed loaf, and I attempt to conquer the morning in pajamas – an abysmal mistake.
My grandmother always told me, “Sweetheart, never try to accomplish something without your face on.” Face refers to southern red lipstick. (I was born in south Texas y’all).
So I tried to tear down that habit of waking up when the kids did. It didn’t work. Exasperation hounded me. With two toddlers, homeschooling, volunteer work, and a house to clean, how could I find the time to write? It’s not a hobby folks. I had to find time to write.
My husband pointed me to some pretty snazzy James Clear articles on habit building. Here Then I found this quote:
“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, and Leonardo da Vinci.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Snap.
Then I read this one:
“If you don’t have time to write, it’s because it’s not important enough to you.”
So I decided to take a small step to rebuild my writing habit. I’d like to get up and join the 5am writing club, but that would be a leap – not a baby step – so I’m joining the 6am club. A whole hour (hopefully) before my toddlers bound from their beds.
Morning may not be right for you. Maybe night owl is your game. The point is, find some small, incremental block of time, and write. Do what you love. Live in the present. And enjoy it! Really. If you aren’t living life, you can’t write life.
Write on!
Ellie
ellenmcginty.wordpress.com 