The Siren Call of Weariness by Steph Beth Nickel

March 2020 was a month like none other. Tell you something you don’t know.

At first, I was thankful for fewer responsibilities. But that gave way to the surreal—and the weariness. I didn’t feel depressed, at least not in the traditional sense. However, I slept far more than usual, a sure sign that the situation was taking its toll.

Kudos to all my fellow creatives who cranked up the productivity now that they had more time at home! Although it appeared my situation made increased productivity possible, my emotional wellbeing didn’t.

Many of those who have contracted the virus refer to the resulting inability to think clearly. I believe there is also an indirect COVID fog, the siren call of weariness. “If you sleep, you don’t have to think about what’s going on in the world. After all, what can you do about it? You might as well watch Netflix until you drift off.”

And I did. And I still do.

But I’m trying to do better. Creating a manageable To-Do List. Prioritizing my tasks and seeking to accomplish the most important things on that list. Mentally celebrating each checkmark in my planner.

I’ve read very little in the last 24 months. After all, it takes more effort than rewatching all the movies in the MCU in chronological order. (Yes, my hubby and I did that. But at least I didn’t nod off—not too often at any rate.)

Even when I’ve gotten enough sleep, my couch and cozy blanket still beckon. The overwhelm of my responsibilities and the things I want to accomplish gets stuffed into a proverbial drawer. I’m afraid to open it even a crack for fear that all the To-Do’s will fly out and bury me. So. I. Do. Nothing.

Or…

I do one thing on the list and then celebrate—by vegging on the couch for hours. While I’m all for celebrating every step on the journey no matter how small, I have to keep making progress—slow, incremental progress.

I can do so by participating in the spiritual disciplines of scripture reading and prayer, by exercising and eating more healthy foods, by focusing on others and seeking to come alongside them. And so much more.

If you deal with PTSD, clinical depression, panic attacks… If you’ve suffered from physical illness and/or lost someone during the pandemic… If you’re trying to keep your head above water financially… Know that I realize my situation pales in comparison.

While I’d like to say, “I see you,” it’s much more meaningful to direct you to the God of All Comfort, the One who knows everything about you and can meet your every need, the One who can work everything out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose—even during COVID. (See Romans 8:28.)

If you’ve succumbed to the siren call of weariness, know you’re not alone—and know all of God’s promises are Yes and Amen!

Steph Beth Nickel is a freelance editor, a writer, and an author. Steph is also the editor of InScribe's quarterly magazine, FellowScript.

Out with the Old (Habits) by Steph Beth Nickel

In order to carve out time for writing, we have to get rid of habits and behaviours that hinder us. Here are just a few of them. (This list is for me. If you can relate, feel free to join me in the creation of some new habits.)

OLD HABIT 1 – Watching TV in the Evening

My hubby and I like to watch TV while we’re eating supper. And I don’t see this changing any time soon. However, I have a tendency to veg on the couch even when I’m alone, sometimes for hours on end.

NEW HABIT 1 – Go Ahead, Press the Power Button

It probably comes as no surprise that as an extrovert, I enjoy company. What may surprise you is that sometimes I’m too tired to visit with real people. Instead, I spend time with my imaginary friends who live their lives on my television screen. I must wean myself from these “relationships.”

How will this benefit my writing?

Devoting even a small portion of the time I typically spend watching TV to writing will make a huge difference to my productivity.

OLD HABIT 2 – Leaving Creative Endeavours (including Writing) Until I’m Tired

It’s only 8:30 as I write this post, but because of an exceptionally busy weekend, I’m already tempted to crawl into bed and have a nice long rest.

NEW HABIT 2 – Develop Better Sleeping Patterns

I’ve heard it said that going to bed and getting up at the same time seven days a week is important. Consistency in this area and others like it isn’t my strong suit, but I aim to do better.

How will this benefit my writing?

If I get enough sleep, I will be able to think more clearly and work more efficiently. Both are necessary for maximum productivity.

OLD HABIT 3 – Shoving Writing to the Bottom of the Priority List

There always seems to be other things to do, many of them important, others not so much.

NEW HABIT 3 – Create—and Stick to—a Writing Schedule

I’m great at making schedules—and ignoring them. I have to find the balance between creating an unrealistic schedule and one that I can actually follow.

How will this benefit my writing?

If I honestly evaluate my weekly schedule, I’m certain I can come up with a doable plan that will allow me to devote consistent time to writing.

OLD HABIT 4 – Accumulating too Many Skills Development Resources

True confession time. Many of my writing books are in pristine condition—because I’ve never read them. My Gmail folders are overflowing with posts I intend to read—someday. I have courses on the go that I may never complete.

At some point, I have to say, “Alright already, enough.”

NEW HABIT 4 – Make Use of the Resources at My Fingertips

This is a case of both / and rather than either / or. I do want to read these resources, but I also want to take the time to apply what I learn. It comes back to scheduling again.

How will this benefit my writing?

If I learn skills related to my current projects, I will be much more likely to apply what I learn than if I focus on what I hope to write “one day.”

OLD HABIT 5 – Neglecting Physical Activity

Letting my gym membership gather dust is not helping me get more words on paper (or the computer screen).

NEW HABIT 5 – Get Started … Again

I would love to exercise from 30-60 minutes six times a week, but if I make that my goal going out of the gate, I know it won’t happen. Instead, I must set incremental goals until I reach “the ideal.” So this week, I will exercise for 30 minutes at least once.

How will this benefit my writing?

Exercise doesn’t only help us lose weight and build strength. It helps us think more clearly and work more efficiently. Regular physical activity also releases serotonin and endorphins. When we have a positive outlook, we are more productive.

OLD HABIT 6 – Failing to Eat Healthy

Who says a writer can’t survive on a diet of iced coffee and Rice Krispie squares? Okay, since the weather has turned cold, I prefer Timothy’s Dulce de Leche or their Chai Latte. But still …

NEW HABIT 6 – Meal Planning, Anyone?

Planning ahead … that’s all I have to do.

How will this benefit my writing?

If I devote a day every week or two to 1) creating a meal plan, 2) shopping for needed supplies, and 3) doing as much prep work in advance as possible, I will prepare healthier meals that will nourish my body and my mind—as well as freeing up time to actually write.

What good habit will you implement this week?

Remembering Something New by Steph Beth Nickel

When you’re reading, do you ever stop, look back, and think, “Wow! That’s life-changing”?

That happened to me recently while I was reading Creating a Fit Life. In the introduction the author says, “We are doing too much sitting as creatives, and it’s actually not helping us be more creative. By living sedentary lifestyles, we are actually welcoming a plague called unhealthiness into our lives. It will make us unhappy, unfit, and overweight. Have you ever felt this way? If so, it can be changed. You can become a better you … It’s worth it because how can you create your best art when you aren’t your best in body or soul?”

As a former personal trainer, I know many reasons why it’s important to eat well and be active, but I had never equated creativity with fitness. And like many people, I’ve listened to those nagging voices in my head. “You don’t have time to exercise and prepare healthy meals.” “Besides, you don’t really want to.” “It’s selfish—ungodly even—to take time away from other projects to work out.”

Believe me, I know how lame these excuses are—especially when I see them in print, but there they are.

Those little voices in our head may be “little.” They may whisper. But boy, do they pack a wallop if we give them our attention!

How can we silence these voices? Let’s consider the following. (Call them truths, affirmations, pipe dreams. You choose.)

1. God made me to function most efficiently when I am healthy.

2. Becoming fit is not a selfish goal.

3. I can set a good example for others by tending to my health.

4. I will be more creative when I look after my physical well-being.

5. My productivity level will soar if I exercise and eat well.

6. I will actually get more done in less time if I take the time to tend to my health.

And why did I call today’s post “Remembering Something New”? Well, on some level I knew regular exercise and healthy eating would boost my creativity. This just may be the motivator I need to do better.

How about you? Have you ever considered that tending to your physical health could actually help you be more creative? What are you doing to avoid “the plague of unhealthiness”? How is it influencing your creativity and productivity?

One final word . . . I realize you may be dealing with a physical condition that cannot be overcome simply by exercising and eating well, but doing what we can in this area, almost always lessens the effects. NOTE: Everyone should seek a doctor’s advice before changing their exercise routine.

The Value of Taking a Break by Susan Barclay

At times it’s been a hot summer, but when you have air conditioning, you can never really use the excuse that it’s “too hot to write.” Still, as MarniePohlmann expressed a few days ago, there’s a season for everything, and sometimes it’s appropriate to take a break – even from something as important as writing. 

In fact, this has been a somewhat challenging year for me. As I contemplate the prospect of writing the annual Christmas letter, I toy with the terms ‘annus horribilis” and “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” I won’t get into the details, but apart from a few personal experience pieces and their submission, I have not succeeded in accomplishing the writing projects I had in mind. In the eyes of someone like Stephen King, who believes in writing every day regardless, perhaps I’m a bad writer or no kind of writer at all. I choose to believe something different, though: I am a writer taking a break from writing to live a very real life, one that gets a little messy, one that requires my attention.

I’m reminded of a quote from Tom Hodgkinson that says, “Being lazy does not mean that you do not create. In fact, lying around doing nothing is an important, nay crucial, part of the creative process. It is meaningless bustle that actually gets in the way of productivity.” While I wouldn’t say I’m “being lazy” or “lying around doing nothing,” I do believe that what I am going through is, or will be, part of my creative process and future literary fertility. But if I were relaxing or otherwise unoccupied, I would remember that there is value in being “bored.” Recent studies show that boredom leads to more creativity and encourages the pursuit of new goals. Hurray for science, right?

And like Gretchen Rubin, who “always had the uncomfortable feeling that if [she] wasn't sitting in front of a computer typing, [she] was wasting [her] time,” take “a wider view of what [is]"productive." Time spent with … family and friends [is] never wasted.” At the end of the day, we’re not going to wish we’d spent more of our time working; investing in people is what lasts and has eternal value. So, go ahead, take that break. I’ll know I’m in good company with you.

__________________________

For more of my writing, please visit www.susan-barclay.ca or www.susanbarclay.wordpress.com

Singletasking —Lynda Schultz

Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time and season for everything (3:1). So what’s wrong with my life? Why is it so difficult to find time for all the writing projects that sit half-done on my computer, that swirl around in my brain, and that are written down in notebooks in my very own handwriting and turning yellow with age? Why does there not seem to be a time or a season for my writing?

Duh! God didn’t say I had to do them all at once, did He? My problem is that I want to multitask when it is possible that He wants me to singletask. Singletask is not in the dictionary, but perhaps it should be. Perhaps, like so many of my generation have already done, I should add my two cents to the changing language of the twenty-first century and invent a new word.

If there really is a time and season for everything (and since God doesn’t lie, it must be true) then my daily planner needs to be seriously adjusted. Perhaps my sphere of influence needs to be collapsed instead of expanded so that I can concentrate on doing well the one thing that God has designed to fit into this time and this season.

Do I really need to be writing for four blogs, maintaining a website, writing a book, editing a magazine, writing periodic newsletters and writing up my research and study notes for the Bible studies I teach as though I were planning on publishing my own version of Matthew Henry’s Commentary or rival D. A. Carson in the production of theological tomes (as if I could)?

I think it’s time to singletask, or maybe doubletask my writing. In the end it might be a whole lot more productive than multitasking but never quite getting finished, or finishing poorly because of the other tasks that stole the time it would have taken to finish well.

What do you think?

Thou Shalt Take a Holiday – Ramona Heikel

I’m grateful for holidays. It occurred to me this week that I hadn’t seen my sons for a while. We’ve all been busy and only talking on the phone and in electronic messages. And if Thanksgiving wasn’t coming up this weekend, how much longer would it be until we were face to face, close enough to hug? That’s when I started feeling thankful to whoever set up holidays.

It amazes me when I stop to think of the power that holidays have to bring people together when schedules and distance would otherwise keep them apart. I’m surprised that holidays are still sacred in a society that puts so much of a priority on productivity and busyness.

Look how the governments of countries all over the world lock certain holidays into their calendars, and how businesses acknowledge holidays by granting days off. You could even say that some employees are “forced” to take a holiday, and even if you want to work, the company declares it such a special day that it is willing to pay you one-and-a-half of your regular earnings. I don’t think we should take it for granted that CEO’s pay us for a day of unproductive kicking-back, and not once, but several times a year.

How nice that countries unite around a holiday! If Alberta declared Thanksgiving a holiday, but Saskatchewan didn’t, it wouldn’t be so easy to go visit your Saskatchewan relatives on Thanksgiving, and look at what you would miss. Oh, I know there are lots of sneers these days about how miserable family gatherings can be—there seem to be more and more movies springing up that try to convince us that holidays are something to dread and tolerate. But go through your photo collections and see how many of the scenes were taken during a holiday gathering, and how many of those bring a smile to your lips and your heart.

Holidays are celebrated for various reasons, and even if we don’t spend a lot of time thinking about them and incorporating the origins into the celebration, they serve as yearly cues to adjust our near-sightedness. We have an opportunity to take a step back from the endless tasks that seem so important in the small picture, and refocus on things worth remembering. Re-celebrating a country’s hard-won victory in obtaining independence, remembering national heroes, offering a tribute to the fathers of our faith, rejoicing in the beginning of a new calendar year, honouring families and relatives, and showing our gratitude to God—all these invigorate our outlook on life and help order our priorities.

Whose idea was it to have holidays, anyway? Local and national governments establish specific holidays for their unique population, but the idea of a holiday seems to have been around ever since the Lord included days of celebration, dancing, feasting and rest for His people in his set of laws. Yes, laws, not suggestions! “Thou shalt take the day off and have a good time.” This too would be amazing to some people, because the popular view of God is probably one of a judge. But what if people stopped and considered that this particular judge required them to regularly take time to have fun and reconnect with the most important people in your life? What a revelation that would be of the true nature of God.

Posted by Ramona

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