To be a successful writer, it's important to take a night off once a week. I know what you're thinking. In my last post, I said to not take time off and to write every day. Well, despite the appearance, I'm not actually contradicting myself. A lot of people work 40 hour weeks. Some people work 60 hour weeks or even more. There are 168 hours in a week. Even the busiest tycoon doesn't work all of them. We all need our weekends or days off to relax and catch up on other things. It's how we keep balance in our lives.
Every Friday night is date night with my husband. No matter what is going on, we both take the night off and spend that time with each other. Some Fridays we put the kids to bed and cuddle on the couch with a movie. Other Friday nights we hire a sitter and go out. No matter what we do, we have set aside that time for each other and our relationship. Taking that night off helps my brain to recharge and relax, and in the end, actually makes me more productive the rest of the week.
I still try and squeeze some time in on Friday afternoon to fulfill my "write every day" philosophy. However, I do not think about my WIP (work in progress) at all that night.
I also take time off from writing when I've had a new baby. Which is why I haven't been writing as much lately. Just like any mom who goes to work, it's important to take maternity leave. It's okay to take time off to recover both physical and mentally from childbirth. As women, we tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Relax. It's okay. Those first couple months are exhausting, as well as crucial to bonding with your new little person. Cut yourself some slack and enjoy the snuggles. Your book will be waiting for you when maternity leave ends.
Every Friday night is date night with my husband. No matter what is going on, we both take the night off and spend that time with each other. Some Fridays we put the kids to bed and cuddle on the couch with a movie. Other Friday nights we hire a sitter and go out. No matter what we do, we have set aside that time for each other and our relationship. Taking that night off helps my brain to recharge and relax, and in the end, actually makes me more productive the rest of the week.
I still try and squeeze some time in on Friday afternoon to fulfill my "write every day" philosophy. However, I do not think about my WIP (work in progress) at all that night.
I also take time off from writing when I've had a new baby. Which is why I haven't been writing as much lately. Just like any mom who goes to work, it's important to take maternity leave. It's okay to take time off to recover both physical and mentally from childbirth. As women, we tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Relax. It's okay. Those first couple months are exhausting, as well as crucial to bonding with your new little person. Cut yourself some slack and enjoy the snuggles. Your book will be waiting for you when maternity leave ends.