Whilst writing yesterday’s post Note 255 – Writing commitments as a busy parent, I googled write-life balance to see if anyone had written about how to balance writing and life and The Writing/Life Balance by Jamie Raintree was the only article that I could see that title in. I am so glad I read it and it’s given me some inspiration for today’s blog post.
Jamie’s article is all about putting things into perspective and prioritising the family over everything else. She has encouraged me to rethink my writing plan and goals now, rather than leave it for another day. In Jamie’s story she explains when things hit home for her; it took an illness in the family for her to realise how far her priorities had strayed. She writes:
“I had put desire to churn out a book every year before the commitment I’d made to my family so many years ago. I’d lost sight of how much they needed my full and undivided presence for longer than it took to eat dinner each night.”
Writing plans and goals
My family are very important to me, but I sometimes get so caught up with my writing goals that I forget to spend time with them (did I just say that?). I think they don’t notice when I sneak off now and again to research my next article or finish a blog post. From today, I will make a conscious effort to give my family more of my attention and make sure my writing plan works for them as well as me.
Reading this article was great timing as I was going to rejig my writing plan anyway. This is the plan I created in October last year and pinned on the wall as part of lesson one of the Daily Writing Tips Freelance Writing course. I haven’t looked at it for a while and not entirely sure I’m following it anyway.
I also think it’s important to have goals and these will not only be different for everyone, but should be revisited often. Goals can cover all areas of your life but most of the time they will focus on one or two main areas. What I feel I need to do now is focus on what I want to achieve with my writing and also remind myself of the commitment to my family. I will always be a writer, but my children won’t always be five and seven – and I don’t want to look back with regret.
I’ll let you know how I get on and in the meantime if you have any other tips on this subject I would love to hear from you.
Thank you Jamie for such a great post and for inspiring me today.
Until tomorrow…
Sandra
Freelance Writer
www.sandramadeira.com
Related articles
- Note 154 – Creating a writing plan that works (mywritingnotebook.wordpress.com)
- Note 155 – Putting the writing plan to the test (mywritingnotebook.wordpress.com)
My Writing Notebook 
Balancing writing with other parts of your life is completely difficult, but you seem to have a much better hand on it than most! I don’t have children but I definitely have had times where I’ve been so caught up with my writing (or worse – with my day job) that I have neglected important relationships, which strained them. But at the same time, if I prioritize my social life, I won’t write and then I beat myself up for not being productive. I think balance is hard, but it is key and worth striving for.
Posted by nonwritingwriter | January 11, 2012, 9:59 pmHi yes I agree, it’s to do with getting a balance in all areas of your life. We’ll all have to just keep working on it until we get it right. Thanks very much for taking the time to comment.
Sandra
Posted by Sandra Madeira | January 12, 2012, 3:12 pmI’m so glad my story inspired you. It’s a hard realization to come to but I hope you found some comfort in knowing a lot of writers struggle with this and likely, will always struggle. It’s not only a balance between life and writing but between doing for others and doing for ourselves. We need both every day. I wish you lots of luck in finding your balance and one last thought–just take it easy on yourself and do the best you can.
Posted by Jamie Raintree | January 11, 2012, 11:03 pmHi Jamie
You are so right, we do need to remember to do things for ourselves as well as others every day. It’s the days where I totally do things for others that I feel the most frustrated.
I must read more of your stories.
Thanks again
Sandra
Posted by Sandra Madeira | January 12, 2012, 3:08 pm