it’s ok not to write

January 22, 2013 — 3 Comments

i haven’t been blogging as much for any number of reasons. some (possibly) legitimate. others (probably) not. but as i sit here writing these words, instead of feeling dread or frustration, i’m just enjoying the practice.

because even though my posts have been fewer these past few weeks, i’m reminding myself that it’s ok.

do i want to blog? yes. do i want to write? of course.

but sometimes i don’t. so i don’t.

and that’s ok.

i am a writer. i enjoy writing. it can be tough – and is – when the well seems dry and the mind blank. it’s far easier not to write than to force myself to stare at a blank screen, the cursor mocking me with its incessant blinking. i know the words will come and i know the power of just shutting up and writing.

but sometimes i choose not to write. and that’s ok.

the trick is not allowing it to become a habit. because for me, writing is life. without it, i’m not living. and just like we take breaks from other things that comprise our lives – work, family, yard work, etc. – i’m realizing it’s ok to take a break from writing.

question: what do you think? is it ok to take a break from writing?

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tim gallen

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  • http://unknownjim.com/ Jim Woods

    Tim, I love this post because it really shows maturity. I like to compare myself to others. Jon is doing this, so Jim should do that. Tim is doing this, so Jim should do that. We are not the same! It’s a fallacy to think we are all the same. If you think a break is needed, a break is needed. The only catch is deciding if it is procrastination or not. If you literally have poured out your soul (like you did in November), you can be assured you just need a break. Like you said, it’s okay to not write. It’s also alright to write in private and not share sometimes. I’m a firm believer that there is no “one right way.”

    • http://dailygallen.com/ tim gallen

      thanks, jim. i really appreciate your insight, words, and friendship. when you jump into the blogosphere there’s so much noise out there about the “best” way to do this or that. i’ll admit it continually overwhelms me and is enough to make me want to outright quit sometimes. but you’re so right that there is no right way to do any of this or that. plus, i must remember that, as exciting as it is to have people read what i write, if i’m not writing for myself first and foremost, then it doesn’t really matter.

      i just really want to get away from the grind. you mentioned this to me early on about the idea of not trying to crank daily but focus on quality. plus, as much fun as blogging is, i want to write fiction. of course, all writing is practice and every writer needs a forum/platform/audience/whatever nowadays. but it’s hard to not let it become a chore or overwhelm you.

  • http://deuceology.wordpress.com Larry Carter

    Sure it is….but I may have such a back log that folks don’t even notice