The Cult of Busy...

Panther City Review 2018 Launch...Done!

I recently declared that my new motto would be “I am not behind. I just have a long list of unfulfilled plans that I’ll eventually get to.” I spend a lot of time working—on books for Sleeping Panther Press, on library-type work, on developing and recording my online classes through RachelPilcher Writing Workshops, and on my own writing. All of this, on top of maintaining my home and sanity. I have lists that refer to other lists of things I need to get done. There are so many things that just don’t happen and I’m constantly surprised when an item on my lists gets completed. My life is definitely an example of the Cult of Busy.

This busyness can really wear a person down. Thankfully, when I do get one of the big items checked off the list, like publishing and launching Panther City Review 2018, it gives me the opportunity to move the next big thing to the top. In this instance, I’ll finally finish up my first online class so that I can get it launched. The goal post keeps moving on this one, but the end of September is my self-designated upload date. I think I’m going to make this one!

My personal writing tends to take a backseat when I’m pushing the business side of my creativity. I’m not going to get too upset about it, but I’m also going to have to start letting it ride shotgun, especially when it comes to completing my screenplay. I am so close, it’s ridiculous that it hasn’t been completed so far.

Now, in stating all my “Busy,” I also need to make sure I stop and smell the roses. Read for fun. Literally look at and smell the flowers coming back into bloom after the summer rain. Take a relaxing drive through the country. Put away my laundry (because, really it does make me feel better to take it out of the basket and away in the drawers instead of digging through the basket to find matching socks). Do the stuff people who don’t overextend themselves do, like continue my exercise regime and not put it off because I’m just too tired to go to yoga or Nia after a full day (and evening before) of work.

This kind of talk is a common thing for writers, artists, and others who have to do the creative work as a side gig. It’s not unusual to feel burned out by life in general after working so hard to get it all done. Just know that you will be able to get it done in your own time. Creativity will happen when you make it happen, but you have to let your mind rest sometime or there will be no creativity to force out.