My “One Little Word” for 2018: BALANCE

In a Super Soul Session, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about hummingbirds and jackhammers. My friend Lisa is a hummingbird. I so admire her curiosity and willingness to try new things. Conversations with Lisa are like a feast as she tells me about the books she’s reading and the myriad activities she’s involved in. She, like a hummingbird, samples many of life’s rich experiences. Elizabeth Gilbert says hummingbirds are “cross-pollenating the world with their creativity and openness to new ideas.” A lovely image.

I am a jackhammer. I drill down, laser-focused on my passion—writing. Elizabeth Gilbert says the gift of the jackhammer is efficiency. She also says we are “obsessive, fundamentalist, and a little difficult. And loud.” Guilty as charged. When I am writing, hours can tick by without my notice. In my defense, when I climb into my characters’ world, I need some solid time for continuity. The down side is I neglect other things like exercise, meditation, housework, and just plain fun.

Elizabeth Gilbert sees value in both creatively exploring hummingbirds and intensely passionate jackhammers.

What I have realized is, as a jackhammer, I need to hummingbird more. When I’m working at my desk, I set the timer on my phone for thirty minutes to force myself to get up and do something—yoga, meditate, empty the dishwasher—something. It would work if I didn’t absently cancel the timer and continue writing. I need BALANCE.

When I was in college, I loved setting up my class schedule on a calendar, blocking out the hours of each class. I also worked part-time, so I would block out my work schedule. This gave me structure. Teaching was the perfect career for me because my day was dictated by my class schedule. I even had to use the restroom on schedule, usually at 55 minutes past the hour. And fast. Twenty minutes for lunch by the time I dismissed third hour and got back to my room for fourth hour. The interesting thing is, the busier my schedule, the more I accomplish.

Now, as a full-time writer, my day can stretch before me with no intentional plan except “write.” So, this year, I’m going to set up a schedule and block off time for writing, time for yoga, time for mediation, time for reading, time for exercise, even time for fun. If I write down a schedule, it’s like a contract with myself, and I’m more likely to pay attention to it. This, I hope will lead me to my “one little word” for 2018: BALANCE.

Unless, of course, I’m writing.

What is your “one little word” for 2018?

8 thoughts on “My “One Little Word” for 2018: BALANCE

  1. Lucy Kubash says:

    My one little word is Believe. Believe in my stories, and believe in the ability to let the characters tell their story.

    • Elizabeth Meyette says:

      Believe is a wonderful “one little word,” Lucy and a challenging one for writers. So often we doubt ourselves and listen to what others (the industry) say we should be doing. Believe is a word of self-empowerment and strength. I like your choice!

  2. Maris says:

    Balance is a good word for all of us, but it’s not always easy to achieve. Sometimes life throws us off balance, our great plans go awry. I need to get more sleep, that would help me achieve balance. So is that my word? Sleep?

    • Elizabeth Meyette says:

      Sleep is a good word, Maris. Nothing throws me out of balance like lack of sleep. I get fuzzy-brained and grumpy. Maybe your “one little word” could be “two little words” – enough sleep lol

  3. Diana Stout says:

    Ha! I don’t need balance so that my writing doesn’t eclipse everything else. I need better balance so that I’m writing more!!! I overdo TV, movies, jigsaw puzzles, sleeping . . .

    Though, like you, I do need to get up more from my desk when I am writing/working. I tend to sit there for hours not realizing the time. Hips lock up . . .

    Balance for me will be using my planner more so that it can provide that balance I’m looking for. Like you, I function best with schedules, but I prefer this loser schedule better. I just have to become less of a procrastinator and more of a doer, where I’m completing my writing to-do list(s).

    • Elizabeth Meyette says:

      I understand what you mean, Diana. My sister once said, “I have two speeds, fast forward and stop.” Yup, same here lol Wishing you balance and focus in 2018.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *