Sorry to be a downer, but this is an intrusive thought that keeps cropping up, and it needs to be voiced.
I often paralyse myself with fear when I start thinking about my writing career in depth.
I have so many plans for next year (2023), but don't know how I'm going to carry it all out. I am going to achieve some great things — but just don't know whether I can maintain this rhythm of writing (all of it, generally).
I have periods where I could publish loads of different pieces of writing, like short stories or novels; then other times I just want to focus on other things, or I just don't have the mental space for writing.
This is all pressure I put on myself, but there is a certain amount of pressure from my readers and social media (which, again, I put on myself). For example, I feel that my readers will think less of me, or forget about me, if I don't maintain a constant presence — in terms of social media, writing, and the schedule of publishing itself.
Despite all of my achievements, the feeling that I'm wasting time keeps consuming me.
That's not to say at all that I'm not grateful.
I understand all good things take time and effort, but I would like my mind and body to appreciate what I'm achieving and going through.
That's when I start to beat myself up.
Can anyone else relate to this feeling — or have any advice on how to turn this around and start thinking in different way?
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