Whining Writer

A wish for a quiet mind    (photo by Tom Tackett)

I'm finally in a situation where I can actually pursue my writing. My children are grown. I don't have to report to work anywhere. I have a dedicated studio space. I don't have tight deadlines to meet.  And yet, I find myself struggling to find the time to write.

I have no one but myself to blame. I'm involved with two organizations that need a lot of work done by volunteers. There are not so many volunteers to go around, and I can't seem to say no. And once I've said "yes" it's nearly impossible to back out of it.

So, then I get stuck in the place I am now. I really could work full-time doing busy work for these organizations and not spend a single hour all week long producing any kind of original writing. The truth is, I have done this more than I want to admit.

I try to schedule time for writing and tell myself I must take this seriously. But somehow life intrudes and I make no progress on things I want to accomplish.

  It's not just the actual hours needed for writing, it's the time I need when I'm not writing to have a quiet mind. To just observe and think and let the images percolate. That's what's missing when I'm so busy living a busy life.  Actually, I'm beginning to think I am sabotaging myself and this is just another way of procrastinating. If so, how do I make it stop?