Welcome back to Austen Promises and the Writer’s Journal!
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One of the ways everyone can take care of themselves is taking time off from work to relax. I did that last week, when I went on vacation with my sister.
The 24 car’s hauler after the race. William Byron is the driver and his college, Liberty University, is one of his main sponsors.
For those who are curious, we went to Kentucky, arriving on Thursday of last week (July 12th). On Friday, we spent most of the day at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, a place I highly recommend to everyone to see at least once. Then on Saturday, we went to Sparta’s Kentucky Speedway to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race, another thing I wholeheartedly recommend. 🙂 We drove home on Sunday.
I have to say that my weekend away was incredibly relaxing. I had internet and my tablet at the hotel, but did not bring my laptop. I was a little stressed at not being able to promo the book that just released, and not being able to fix the print cover, but I was able to use Facebook in a limited way and stay in contact with some of my friends there, and of course, I had MeWe to use to chat with Rose and Leenie. 🙂
I didn’t realize just how relaxing that vacation was until I got up this morning. I had to sit down and make a list of what needed doing. (You know, of course, if you follow my blog, that I didn’t post anything last week. I spent four days preparing for the four days I was gone.) Let me tell you, that list is long!! I’ve happily gotten through almost half of it, and gotten dishes washed, two loads of laundry washed, dried, and folded to boot. 🙂
What struck me most this morning as I made my list was that I felt like I was jumping back onto a hamster wheel just a bit. Being a full-time author and entrepreneur is a time-consuming and non-stop endeavor. I’m totally dependent upon myself to make this work, and it finally is, but I can’t stop. If I do, I could easily and quickly find myself back at the bottom of the pit, and I don’t want that. I’m not saying I mind the work, either. I love writing, and I love being the boss. My success depends totally on me, and any failure can be laid squarely at my door. Not everyone can do this, I know. For a long time, I was afraid I couldn’t, either. But I can, and I have.
I think what made the contrast even more stark this morning was that this is the first time since I went full-time that I have truly unplugged from writing and marketing. Granted, the Fan Zone at the speedway was research for race book number three, but the atmosphere there is more of a relaxed, if excited, one. It did not at all feel like work. My biggest stressor was worrying about my dogs, because I couldn’t find anyone to spend the night with them. However, they had wonderful care from my sister-in-law and a kid from church, and I got videos and pictures and updates along the way. They did not tear the house up, and no one was injured or ill when I got home. They have barely left my side since I retunred at 3:35 yesterday afternoon. <3
Anyway, I feel rested and recharged now, and I’m going to add “vacation” to my list of self-care items. I’m also going to advise all writers to unplug for a weekend now and again, even if it means just shutting off the router and watching movies for a couple days.
Come back next Wednesday for another peek into my journal! <3
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