I loved this reflection, and the quote you pulled from Burkeman’s book about the “discomfort of confronting limitation” and how easy it is to escape a writing project (and the present difficulty you’re faced with) for a nice, comforting distraction. This was the perfect thing to read on a day when I’m struggling through a first draft and getting stuck…it’s always good to be reminded that the right thing to do is press onwards!
Well, shucks. I resonated with this all so much I went straight to ThriftBooks and bought this book, along with another he wrote. Thanks for being creatively you and also just telling it like it is.
Last year I managed a day away from my kids and husband to focus on my writing (and stay at a nice hotel!) and it was amazing how even in only a day and in the same city my brain felt so quiet and peaceful because I wasn’t responsible for anything except myself and what I wanted to do. It was so much easier to focus and spend time focusing deeply.
Totally! There's something about being away from our ordinary settings that can just remove a layer of frenzy and "should" from the mind. I hope you're able to do this again soon!
Thanks so much, Stephanie! I think you'll enjoy it. And thanks for the kind words about the teaching book. We're hard at work on the revision chapter now. :)
The audio version is lovely, and it's also a great accessibility tool.
I have read Four Thousand Weeks, and unfortunately it has just reinforced the idea that I shouldn't spend so much of my precious time at work. Not sure what to do with at since I enjoy paying the rent, ha! It was useful to reframe procrastination in a way to alleviates the shame of it, for sure.
I loved this reflection, and the quote you pulled from Burkeman’s book about the “discomfort of confronting limitation” and how easy it is to escape a writing project (and the present difficulty you’re faced with) for a nice, comforting distraction. This was the perfect thing to read on a day when I’m struggling through a first draft and getting stuck…it’s always good to be reminded that the right thing to do is press onwards!
Thanks for reading and for letting me know what resonated! Best wishes for your draft. 🌷
Well, shucks. I resonated with this all so much I went straight to ThriftBooks and bought this book, along with another he wrote. Thanks for being creatively you and also just telling it like it is.
Meg
Last year I managed a day away from my kids and husband to focus on my writing (and stay at a nice hotel!) and it was amazing how even in only a day and in the same city my brain felt so quiet and peaceful because I wasn’t responsible for anything except myself and what I wanted to do. It was so much easier to focus and spend time focusing deeply.
Totally! There's something about being away from our ordinary settings that can just remove a layer of frenzy and "should" from the mind. I hope you're able to do this again soon!
I loved this. And I have been wanting to read 4,000 weeks. I’m so looking forward to your Teaching and Writing book!
Thanks so much, Stephanie! I think you'll enjoy it. And thanks for the kind words about the teaching book. We're hard at work on the revision chapter now. :)
The audio version is lovely, and it's also a great accessibility tool.
I have read Four Thousand Weeks, and unfortunately it has just reinforced the idea that I shouldn't spend so much of my precious time at work. Not sure what to do with at since I enjoy paying the rent, ha! It was useful to reframe procrastination in a way to alleviates the shame of it, for sure.
Yeah, I hear you. Why is society set up this way? I'm lucky to have a job I (mostly) enjoy, but it can easily slip into devouring all of my time.