Okay… probably a lot! Don’t worry. I’m not going to dump it all on you! Instead, I’m going to dig around a bit in my Medicine Basket and share a few all-time favorite coping strategies that are actually helping me stay on the road known as Book Deadline Highway!
You might want to take a sec to grab some spare paper, something that writes, and a cuppa. (Cacao could be good, or your most precious flavor of tea…) Maybe even go big and switch off the news!!!
Then, my all-time, very-most-favorite question, re-worded just a smidge for this moment: What am I trying to accomplish? Write that, please, in your journal or on an index card or whatever works. Write the inquiry with your dominant hand – you know, the usual one. Then, hang out. Deep breaths would not be amiss. Something will come forward.
Write that down with your non-dominant hand. And, just in case you haven’t heard me say this before, you will be able to read it, largely because it’s coming from most-real you!
Then, another question, so back to your regular hand… What will be better once that thing I’m trying to accomplish is real? This, too, will come. Non-dominant hand, again. Let it all out. Reaching for a tissue could be a very good sign! Depending on how that went for you, you might want a couple minutes to fix another cuppa, or watch birds flitting around in the garden. Deep breaths are totally in order! We’re about to go to meddlin’!
Back to the regular hand… What’s holding me back??? Give it as much time as you need. Maybe even dream on it…
Of course, you can add some doodles or sketches as you go along. Just be sure to make space for the words. (It’s a whole different processing thing.)
On some level of awareness, things have already changed! Now for a bit of whipped cream on top!
If you have a set of wisdom cards around that you relate to, mix them all up really well, and draw one, while holding your writing adventure close.
No cards handy? No problem! Reach for a favorite book. A trusted author. SARK. Anne Lamott. Fred Buechner. Dr. Estes. Shiloh Sophia McCloud. C.S. Lewis. Even Dr. Seuss! You know… the kind that makes you feel heard.
Then open it randomly and run your finger through a couple of pages until the message finds you. Add that to your writing, and congratulate yourself!
There is no way to fail with this, except not trying!!!
ps… the new book will have new cards, too!