Writing and Pandemic Anxiety

 

Have you been dealing with a little anxiety off and on the past six months of the pandemic? Do you sometimes look like this sad doggie? I think we have all had periods of being anxious over how long this is going to go on, how we are dealing with work, school, even shopping.

We humans like things to go the way they should, and right now, they aren't. There are a lot of 'what if....?' in our lives. All this uncertainty affects pretty nearly all parts of our everyday living.

This means that our writing world can be affected, too. Back in March, when the lockdown began, I thought that being forced to stay home would give me lots of time to write. Before too long, I suddenly had no inspiration. I thought about writing, but many days that is as far as I got. Thinking about it!

I did manage to write a blog post five days a week mainly because that was a commitment I had made and felt obligated. Actually, it was good for me to have that commitment as it made me write something every day. When it came to writing a new story or essay or poem, I found that I did a lot more thinking than actual writing. I didn't stop writing, just wasn't making use of all that extra time. 

I know that many of you have gone through the same situation in your writing world. Those of you who are working from home spend so much time on a computer that you probably could care less about your writing life by the time your work day is over. Understandably so. 

Is there a solution? Is there a way to make you excited about writing something new? The first thing to do is to work on those anxious feelings. Breathing exercises help. Meditation helps. Counting your blessings helps. Staying in touch with family and friends with Facetime, phone calls, and emails help. I've been attending a writers' meeting via zoom once a week for the past several weeks. Hearing about writing and being with other writers has helped give me some desire to write more than the blog. 

I had days where I felt anxious for no solid reason, and then days when I had no anxious feelings at all. I found that when things started opening up again, and I could go to the hair salon and even have lunch outside at a restaurant, my mood improved tremendously, and yes, I wanted to write. Maybe those anxious days are fading away because I've gotten used to a new way of life. I'll be very happy to go back to the old life whenever it happens.

Someone sent me a small slip of paper, about 3 x 5 that had a pretty floral border on it. Inside that border were these words: Today I will not stress over things I cannot control. I put that paper on my fridge so that I'd see it every day. Very good advice. Remind yourself, too, that there will be an end to this virus. We all hope sooner than later, but meanwhile, we have to do all we can to keep our spirits up. 

For a writing exercise, try a freewrite with any of the following words. It, too, might help those anxious feelings. 

peace

serenity

happiness

blessings

positives

If you're a writer who has not lost inspiration and has continued to write the same amount and with the same enthusiasm, you're a very fortunate person. 

I've been feeling inspired to write lately, and it feels good. 

5 Ways To Help You Write During the Pandemic

I wanted you to know I am following the stay-at-home and social distance recommendations we have all been given. I think the majority of people are following the new rules. Those few who refuse to do so are the ones that will make the wait to go back to a more normal life longer for everyone as well as putting themselves in harm's way.  I feel a lot of anger toward them, and I hope they will wake up and see the seriousness of this pandemic. Alright, that is my rant for the day. And the hug in a heart is straight from my heart.

It seems that a good many writers are finding it difficult to write during this uncertain time. There are worries about our families (near and far), health, the economy, our own financial situation, and more. It's no wonder we aren't terribly inspired to write. For me, I'm a little disgusted with myself because I have more time than ever to write, and I really don't have the desire. I know I'm not alone. 

I started thinking about what I could do to give myself a swift kick in the rear and start writing more than my blog posts. Here are a few suggestions for you and for me: 

1. Go through your files and choose something that is either not finished or needs revision. Make it your project for today. Just one. Read through the piece as objectively as you can, and that's not always easy when reading our own work. Make a list of the things you found that might be redone or enhanced. Then, start working. You needn't do two or three today. Only one. 
2. Take some time to breathe. Sounds silly? Maybe not. A woman in my writing group suggested we try sitting quietly, then breathe in; exhale slowly. Breathe in, breathe out. Do this several times. I tried it and found that it worked best for me if I closed my eyes. I felt much calmer and ready to do a chore or watch tv or read a book. Try it today, and see if you might feel ready to write something. It doesn't have to be 1,000 or 2,000 words. Write a paragraph and keep going if you feel like you want to. Or just leave it at the one paragraph.
3. Do a freewrite exercise by opening a book, pointing with eyes closed, then use the word your finger rests on for your freewrite springboard. Write for 10 minutes without stopping; let the thoughts run from mind to fingers. Whatever comes to mind from your word. Some may end up being nonsense while some might be the beginning of a story or an essay. 
4. Try a photo prompt writing exercise. Find a photo or painting, maybe one on the wall in your own home, and study it. Then, start writing about what you see. Write as little or as much as you would like. 
5. Most writers have books that deal with the craft of writing. Go through your collection and choose one. Sure, you've probably already read it, but read it again. It's like seeing a movie for the second time--you notice things you didn't on the first viewing. If you don't have one, google some articles on writing and read them online. The purpose is to get your mind wrapped around the art of writing and perhaps find some inspiration. 

If you do any or all of the above, you can say at the end of the day that you have written something or you have read about writing and felt inspired to write tomorrow. Or today! I feel like, once our lives get back to something more normal, our desire to write will return, as well. So, just breathe in, breathe out.