Thursday, January 26, 2012

Perspective on Aspects

"You can't sit around and wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."

- Jack London


I officially began the Write On to Build on Group on 01/10/12.

I wrote a POST about it on my blog.

I began my night class on 01/23/12.


It’s 22 days since we formed our group. I thought I’d give my progress.

I owe $1 to our chosen charity Build On


I’ve written 11,354 new words in my WIP and short story. 9,000 of these words are from my newly completed short story! YaY!

I edited 4 chapters of my WIP.

I’ve edited the rough draft of my short story twice.

So, yeah, I’m writing.


I’ve also been working on my writing “career”:

I’ve gutted and rebuilt my query for Naked Eye. (Thanks, Judy and Samantha! )

I’ve registered for NE-SCBWI conference in May.

I’ve entered The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest (ABNA).


I’m busy with family, school, and writing. But I will no longer let it be an excuse. Writing is one of my jobs. I’m a writer. It’s who I am. When I let it languish, a part of me languishes.

This is my new schedule:

In the mornings, I may check Facebook or blog or answer e-mail, but sometimes I write a little to. When I take my lunch, I write or edit for nearly the entire 30 minutes. If I’ve been productive with my writing for both morning and lunch, I focus on schoolwork or lighter stuff later in the day. If I haven’t, I try to write more in the late afternoon of evening.

For one day on each weekend, I must devote at least a couple of hours to writing. This will be my first weekend with homework, so this will become a challenge. But it’s in the schedule. I’m flexible about when it happens during the weekend, but it must happen.

Now that I have a brand spankin’ new query, I’d better start submitting Naked Eye again.


It just feels good to be doing something.

I’m not Super Woman (though I used to be Substitute Teacher Woman, which is a whole other post), so I’ve had to let a few things slide.

Facebook gets less attention (except for my writing groups).

Blogging time has been diminished.

I’m sleeping more; most nights I’m in by 9:30 or 10:00. Even 9:00 pm. Sometimes I lay down for fifteen minutes when I get home from work, time permitting.

My pathetic exercise routine of sit ups, pushups and leg exercises is now being enhanced with a stationary bicycle 2 days a week and yoga 1 day a week.

I’ve upped my intake of fruits and vegetables. I’ve shrunk my portions. (My wine consumption, however, remains steady.)


Whether I can keep these changes in the long term, I don’t know. I’m tired. I get cranky. I never feel like I have enough time with my kids (more because of their afterschool activities than all my stuff.) I need to make sure I take care of every part of me—

my:

career (work and school)

body (exercise and rest)

family (heart)

writing (soul)

I can make excuses that my career means I don’t have time for other important aspects of my life. Usually what happens is body and soul are cast aside. Those are big parts of me. In the past 15 months, I’ve gained 10 pounds. If I’ve made that big of a difference in my physical appearance, what does my soul resemble after not writing?


"Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise the muscles seize up."

- Jane Yolen, Merlin


What aspects of you do you let fall by the wayside?

Or how do you make sure to cultivate all aspects of you?


102 comments:

  1. Ah, this sounds very familiar. So often I feel as if I have to choose between dance, writing and family. Finding time for all is a skill I'm still developing. But, it sounds like you've made some amazing progress. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like you are seizing control of your life - in a most positive and proactive way! And sleeping more! That's always always good! So you get cranky every so often - that's ok too!! :-)

    I'm so happy you've entered ABNA!! That's just so so so amazing! Well done you!!! I have all my bendy bits crossed for you!! Yay!

    p.s. my physical health used to suffer very badly in previous years. In the last 18 months I've really really tried to stick to an exercise regime and diet that I enjoy - or enjoyed eventually! It's all trial and error - but now I think I've got my daily health thing (1/2 and hour daily exercise plus enjoying my food!) Sometimes I don't have the energy for the exercise and of course there are times where I over-indulge but these moments pass and I'm back on track asap!

    Take care
    x

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wondered where you've been, good to see you are getting so much writing done. Congratulations on shaking things up, life has to be about what makes you happiest!

    bru

    ReplyDelete
  4. oh wow, that's brilliant progress!

    (and I love that Jack London quote)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations on the writing progress! :)

    It sounds like you're getting everything prioritized.

    Great quotes.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good for you for disciplining yourself to write. It's good that you're viewing writing as a job, because that makes you even more committed to getting it done. Exercise is good too, especially because of the endorphins. Sometimes I don't feel like going to the gym, but I always feel better after a workout. Tired, but better.
    As far as what I let fall to the wayside, I must admit that I don't spend as much time on my graduate work as I should. It's kind of ironic because I spend more time on my paying jobs, which I do to support myself while I'm in graduate school. But now I'm committing myself to working on my dissertation almost every day, even if it's not always for as long as I'd like.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love when I have a plan/schedule like you've laid out--it makes me feel so much better.
    I'm making time for writing and social media, but housework is taking a hit!
    At least everyone is getting fed though ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good for you! Sounds like you are making good progress with a good plan!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so impressed! You've got it all in control by the sounds of it. Life is full of choices - and you're making some great ones! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, you are kicking butt, girl! So awesome. I'm in survival mode these days and will be glad when all the moving is done and loose ends tied up and we adjust to all the changes in our lives. You're a good role model. Keep up the good work. Love that last quote!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sleep definitely gets sacrificed first, and I don't even have kids! I'm so impressed that you've managed to write almost every day. And I'm sure your body loves you for exercising and eating healthy. I need to follow your example!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Theresa .. sounds as though you're sorting life out - and only a $1 .. that's good news. Also scheduling in your daily needs - writing, editing, family and health ..

    Go girl - sounds as though you're on the right track .. hope the homework weekend goes well - I'm sure it will .. sounds like you're focused on your goals .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm supposed to congratulate and or support you for achieving your goals, but I'm laughing too hard. It's the wine consumption line. Ha! Love you! (And I'm tired, too.) Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  14. There's great energy coming from your post Theresa! Its infectious! Glad the wine consumption is steady!
    Good luck with Amazon and congrats on your project, I'd join only I'm editing rather than writing:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Awesome that you're on a great writing schedule. I've been writing more at lunch too lately. Like you I'm trying to squeeze it all in. Though I do blog too much. I confess my sin.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I like your organized approach Theresa.

    I'd say congrats to you in only having to donate $1, but that feels a little weird. So nice productive writing in general.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sounds like you've been very productive. That's awesome.

    Writing in the morning has been a good change for me.

    Oh yes, and also keeping my wine consumption steady.

    ReplyDelete
  18. @ Sarah, it's always a balance. It's really hard to do it all. At least at the same time.

    @ Old Kitty, getting to the second round of ABNA is another story! We'll see.

    I remember you'd been getting sick quite a bit a while back. I'm glad you've found a way to feel better.

    @ February/Bru, I've missed catching up with people and their posts on blogs as often as I used to, but when I had to look at what needed my time vs. what was taking my time, blogging had to be demoted.

    I miss seeing you on Facebook, but I know that was a choice you needed to make too.

    @ Lynda, thank you. I love the quote too--it reminds me to stop making excuses. I'm an excellent excuse-maker.

    @ The Golden Eagle, thanks. It's a process making progress.

    @ Neurotic Workaholic, it's a shame there's not better funding in the social sciences for grad school. My husband never had to worry in the sciences. His paid work was the work he did for his dissertation. I'm sorry you don't have the same situation The choice is work, loans, or a combo.

    @ Coleen, I struggle keeping up with laundry. Now that my kids are older, they help with chores. So my house if much cleaner than when I had to do most of it!

    Yes, at least we're feeding the children.

    @ Karen, thanks. It's amazing what we can do when we put our minds to it.

    @ Jemi, I told myself other people worked full time. Other people were teachers. They squeezed in writing time, so I had to figure out how to do it too.

    @ LynNerdKelly, all bets are off during a move! We've been house hunting. I shudder at what life will be like when we're packing up and moving in the near future.

    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  19. That's a great schedule. You definitely have all of your ducks in a row.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love these quotes. And I am also trying to exercise and diet, though today I went on a vanilla wafer binge. :(

    You are going to make it, girlfriend. We both will!

    Cultivate all aspects of me?? Say huh?? What'z that mean?

    ReplyDelete
  21. When it comes to choosing which priority gets dumped, cleaning the house always loses out to writing. I can't survive without writing. Of course there's only so long I can go without cleaning the bathrooms, especially since I have two boys. :P

    ReplyDelete
  22. @ Meredith, I struggle with the sleep one, but if I don't do it, I'm a mess after a couple of days. At this point, I'm going to bed earlier than my seventh-grader.

    @ Hilary, I'm trying. This weekend I have a short paper to write. If I can get that done first and have time leftover, I'll get to fiction.

    @ Samantha, I'm just reporting all consumption accurately. It's science--the constant and the variable.

    @ WordsADay, please consider joining us. Editing counts!

    @ Natalie, I think blogging has its place. I've received in benefits more than I've lost in time. But when it replaces writing, it's a problem for me!

    @ Slamdunk, I know what you mean. If I write, should I feel guilty I'm not donating? If I donate, should I feel guilty I'm not writing.

    @ LR, I'm fresher in the morning, so I wish I could always take advantage of it.

    Glad your wine consumption is going well.

    @ Michael, I hope I can maintain it instead of having it be a phase.

    @ Robyn, I've cut out my afternoon snack. Now it has to be fruit. But I may have had a cookie one day and a scone on another. But there were extenuating circumstances...

    @ Stina, we clean on the weekends. Then it steadily gets messier as the week progresses. And while I still clean clothes during the week, folding is another story. Thus my laundry mountain.

    ReplyDelete
  23. such a well thought out plan! i hope you stick with it, you will do great things (more great things!)

    exercise and housework are what i neglect most...better go jog in place while i do the dishes =)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tara, exercise is hard to squeeze in. You'd be amazed at the whacky ways I do it (squats and plies while I flat iron my hair). If jogging in place wouldn't break every dish and glass I own, I'd try it!

      Delete
  24. CONGRATS on your progress, Theresa! And I am so excited for you joining ABNA... I haven't done it for a couple years but it was so fun when I did it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julie, I remember how far you made it in ABNA when you did it. Last year I made it to the second round. We'll see for this year!

      Delete
  25. Theresa,

    Long time no see (comment? talk?). It's good to hear that you are still writing. And I, as always, can relate to your struggle to find the right balance between the various roles that you play. Keep plugging away. Given your ability to create such a devoted group of collaborators and followers, I'm sure that a breakthrough is around the corner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paul, how great to hear from you. How do we lose touch with other bloggers? I'll visit your blog soon. Thanks for the nice words.

      Delete
  26. Congratulations on your progress, Theresa. That's great! I did ABNA a few years ago and made the semi-finals. I don't have anything to enter right now. I wish you all the best!!
    It is difficult to find the balance in life. I hope to achieve perfect harmony some day. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ciara, how impressive you made it to the semi-finals.

      Last night "balance" meant going to be by 9:30 pm. Sad.

      Delete
  27. Theresa, this is so proactive, so well-planned. I like it very much! I also like the quotation at the bottom by Jane Yolen which is very true and a very good reminder. I must keep that in mind.

    My body (exercise and rest) and writing are also put aside most of the time. But I'm trying to keep a balance. It's very difficult but some days I am able to do it. Other days there's just no chance. I struggle with exercising...but I've got a pedal exerciser at home so I think I better use it more often! I try to write more each day even if it's only a paragraph if 'the voice' isn't really talking to me.Thanks for this post, Theresa! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Len, you should do the pedal exerciser. I've heard and know from experience that if you exercise, it's hard at first, but then you get more energy for doing all the other stuff in your life. Why I keep stopping, I have no idea!

      Yes, try to write at least a paragraph a day. If you look at your WIP on a regular basis, the words are more likely to flow.

      Delete
  28. Stopping by from the Australia Day BBQ!
    Sounds like you're on track for a great year of accomplishments! Good luck with everything.
    Housework falls by the wayside for me. I hate doing it so I leave it until it has to be done. When I can't find my computer in the piles that's when I clean again. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kmckendry, thanks for visiting! You just reminded me I never cleaned the bathroom this weekend. But I got so much accomplished for school and with my WIP. Got laundry done too. Something always falls by the wayside!

      Delete
  29. Sounds like you're doing great, Theresa. I've been on FB less, too. I've just made a list of the 25 missing scenes in my story, so I'm back in drafting mode for the next little while, and will try to get up early to do it all.
    Good luck with queries!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Deniz, a list of 25 scenes? You're good! I just can't work that way. I have some vague sense of the whole thing and can see (mostly) into the near future. But when my fingers hit the keyboard, I win it!

      Delete
  30. Our fearless leader! You're doing so great. I've been so appreciative of your support and the encouragement from the group. It's been all good, even if I owe $5 so far...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lydia, $5 isn't too bad. I really like our group and how it remains strong. I've never been so motivated. I'm at over 23k now!

      Delete
  31. You're doing great. Congrats!

    I love the Jane Yolen quote, and I totally get what you said about writing: "When I let it languish, a part of me languishes." Cool post, Theresa!

    ReplyDelete
  32. You're doing awesome! Writing in the mornings has worked wonders for me, too. Like you, I find other things build up. I take care of them when they work their way to the top of the list.

    P.S. - I treat wine as a fruit :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carole, my head gets too cloudy as the day progresses. There are exceptions. That's why I write during my lunch break. By the time I finish working, bring their kids to their activities, and open my laptop, my creativity is gone.

      You treat wine as a fruit? That's an excellent idea!

      Delete
  33. Theresa, you've proven once again that balance is important. I'm spending a whole lot of time doing I'm not sure what, especially since I have a project that's not seeing a lot of forward motion. Since we only have a static 24 hours in a day, it does spell sense to work out how to juggle everything and fit them in there somehow.

    Sounds like you're getting stuff done though. Only a dollar owed since start up? You're doing so well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J.L. Campbell, thank you. Yes, we have 24 hours, but the free hours I have are spent sleeping or exhausted. I'm sure that's true for all of us. I'm starting stronger than I thought. Now to keep it up.

      Delete
  34. It's good to have a schedule. But don't be too hard on yourself if you slack off on occasion. You've got a lot on your plate.

    And did you know that Blogger now has a way so you can respond to each individual comment (like they do on Wordpress)? Just change your comment location (in "Settings") to embedded. (The stuff I find...)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liz, you've changed my life. I didn't like the Disquis one I've been seeing. Now halfway through this post, I'm doing individual comments. YaY! Thank you.

      Delete
  35. I must admit that I let me career ambition writing fall by the wayside. I admire what you've taken on and the way you are organizing it all. I should be using you as an example in pursuing my own writing goals. You are the ultimate juggler.

    I was thrilled to hear that you are going to participate in the A to Z Challenge--sounds like you've even got that one under control. That's a great way to approach the Challenge.

    You are quite a lady!


    Lee
    Wrote By Rote

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Arlee, I've never been called "the ultimate juggler". That sounds pretty cool!

      I wrote an intro to the challenge to publish beforehand, but I haven't done anything else yet. I'd better get moving so I can pace myself!

      Delete
  36. Love that quite from Jack London. And I let a lot of stuff fall to the wayside as I prioritize life and family. Sometimes I pick it back up again if I have the time and mentality to do so.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen, that's what I was doing. For me, my dry spells were getting too long. Now reading and social networking have taken a backseat. Family and life are too important to ignore!

      Delete
  37. That is an impressive list of goals and accomplishments. Kudos to you! I'm going easy on myself. Though I've pushed my exercise up a couple of notches. It feels good, but I'm a little cranky too. Where are those endorphins when I need them?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet, there are endorphins? What exactly do I have to do to get them?

      Delete
  38. Hey Theresa,

    Wow, now THAT was an inspiring post and I'm going to tweet and mention on my blog Monday.

    Bloody well done :) And I *loved* the following:

    "I’m busy with family, school, and writing. But I will no longer let it be an excuse. Writing is one of my jobs. I’m a writer. It’s who I am. When I let it languish, a part of me languishes."

    SO true :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mark, thank you. That's really nice of you. I appreciate it.

      Delete
  39. You really do keep busy! It is good you consider writing as part of who you are. I let my life overshadow the writing me many years ago. One of my small regrets, however I am not letting it do so now.

    Keep up the good work/s.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glynis, thanks. I used to write drafts so quickly that I could ignore the periods when I wasn't writing because when I looked at the year, I was productive. Then I slowed down and began to worry.

      Delete
  40. Sounds like amazing progress - good for you! I also entered ABNA (yikes), so good luck to us both. Your word counts are awesome. I'm almost jealous, but I've been working hard, too, so it's all good. Write on!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow, sounds like you've done a large amount toward your writing goals, and it's not even the end of January yet! (Well, almost, but still!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rachel, so far I'm doing better than I thought I would. I should always make these specific goals for myself. Then I have to do them! Or else.

      Delete
  42. oh, man! That is awesome progress. And you know, taking control like that, making a schedule and prioritizing makes such a huge difference. It makes it achievable. You can do it! Best to you~ <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LTM, thanks. It feels good to be doing something. Now my husband is on me because I'm working on new projects instead of sending queries for Naked Eye. At least I submitted it to ABNA with a shiny new query/pitch.

      Delete
  43. LOVE this: "I’m busy with family, school, and writing. But I will no longer let it be an excuse. Writing is one of my jobs. I’m a writer. It’s who I am. When I let it languish, a part of me languishes."

    YES---awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christina, thank. I don't know why it took me so long to do something about it!

      Delete
  44. What a fabulous post. You have articulated what i think pretty much every one of us faces and tries to deal with, and it sounds like you're doing a terrific job of managing a lot. What's that law? That tasks expand to fill the amount of time you have or something? It's totally true. If you have a half hour to write, you'll get your writing done in half and hour. Before you know it, Naked Eye will be on the bookstore shelf :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susanna, Naked Eye is done. I'm querying that and have submitted it to ABNA. This is a new project. I'm 23k in now.

      Delete
  45. Theresa, I'm VERY impressed with all that you do, and how you're juggling it all with grace and determination. Awesome job.

    ReplyDelete
  46. It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job! I've got all my fingers and toes crossed for you!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I am impressed with your productivity in the midst of such a busy schedule. And I am delighted to hear that you've got your priorities straight: wine consumption should never dwindle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Missed Periods, I feel like wine is my constant and I should change the other variables. It's all very scientific.

      Delete
  48. I am blessed with adult ADHD. It gives me spurts of attention slots. That's how I'm managing everything I want to do this year -- working with life instead of trying to make it fit someone else's idea of I SHOULD do it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary, love how you turn ADHD into productivity. Yes, we need to do what works for us. Like plotting. I can't even understand what people say about it. When a few had said that's how I SHOULD do it, I know I can't listen.

      Delete
  49. Congrats on all that great writing, and the changes you've begun for 2012. Isn't three weeks the amount of time it takes to develop a new habit? I'm so impressed that you've only missed a single day in that time. I need to try this sort of challenge! It would definitely motivate me, too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheryl, thanks. I was making a big push and then the group began on 01/12. I'm almost at 3 weeks with the group. And I've been exercising and eating better for this time too. Now you give me hope I can keep it up because they're habits now.

      Delete
  50. You have a family and you have so much to do, Theresa. But it sounds like you're making progress in areas you want to make progress, and that's good. When I was younger - your age - I found I could get more done the busier I was. I think this is all part of what we do when we're young. But at any age, we have to evaluate our priorities, know our limits, and do the best we can in a 24-hour day.
    Cheers for all you're accomplishing!
    Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ann, I've always gotten more done the busier I was too. But when I started working full time and taking a class, I couldn't figure out how to squeeze in writing. So I'm reading less. I miss it. I've only finished one book this year and have a few in various stages of completion. If only our days were longer or we needed less sleep...

      Delete
  51. Your plan seems to be very effective. Making the plan is often the hardest part with following though second. Keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cleemckenzie, I think you're right--figuring out what I wanted to do was harder than actually making up my mind to do it.

      Delete
  52. Theresa, Write On to Build On has been great for me. It used to be that writing took the back seat. But like you, if I don't do it, I feel incomplete. Chores are now taking second fiddle to family and writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan, down with chores and up with writing! It's made writing much higher on my list too.

      Delete
  53. You're doing really well - congratulations and keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Patsy, thank you. I've felt so much more satisfied, so I have to keep it up. Or at least I'll try.

      Delete
  54. Wow, you are an amazing inspiration! The writing, the editing, the life, everything! Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elana, thanks. I know you've struggled with balance too. Right now, I'm social networking less and reading less. I didn't want to slow down, but something had to give. It couldn't be snuggle time with my daughter.

      Delete
  55. Wow, girl! Setting some fabulous goals and sticking to them! That is amazing. I wish I could do the same in all areas!!! I've been lame in the exercise and writing dept lately...

    This is very inspirational!! Thank you for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kelly, thanks. If you're interested in joining us to get some writing support in the future, let me know. One member had lost her mojo before she joined us, but it's back.

      Delete
  56. Am very impressed with your blog. I came via the A to Z challenge list.

    Good luck with the challenge.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yvonne, thank you for finding me. I plan to check out the A to Z list in the next few days. With all my talk about balance, it's going to be a challenge in April!

      Delete
  57. I think it's so important to get enough sleep. When I'm tired, nothing else goes right - so don't feel bad about getting to bed early!

    ReplyDelete
  58. Susan, I know what you mean. On Wednesdays I get out a little early, so I often take a nap. It's my mid-week catch up. Even with that, only my nine year old daughter goes to bed earlier than me.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi Theresa!

    Very impressive list of 'dos!' It's amazing how much you manage to have done.

    All the best!

    ReplyDelete
  60. career (work and school)

    body (exercise and rest)

    family (heart)

    writing (soul)


    I. Love. This.

    The Jack London quote has always spoken to me. And yes, you have to let things slide - that's part of the balance, and it has to happen. As long as your focus stays on the important things, it will all be worthwhile. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan, thank you. I'm still holding steady. Because I was sick, I didn't write yesterday. But today I'm back on track!

      Delete
  61. This is great! Good luck with it all, I look forward to hearing about your progress. You can do it!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Victoria-writes, thank you. I can use all the encouragement I can get!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Great progress, Theresa!

    I've also been more diligent with my writing. In the past I've let go of housework or exercise, but I'm also doing better in those aspects lately. In the past if I felt whole in one area of my life, I was lacking in another. I'm trying to get everything in order, even though at times I feel worn out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Medeia, I know what you mean. I've been amazed how easy it's been to keep writing a part of my daily routine. Exercise is harder. I have a cold this week, so I haven't exercised.

      Delete