Fighting the (Writer) Blues

Tune of the day:

"Raise Your Glass" by Pink

There's a saying people often use..."If life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

If I'm intending to be honest here, then I'll admit that when life hands me lemons, sometimes I just want to take in its bitter sour taste and call it a day.  And that's a dangerously unhealthy place for anyone to be ladies and gents.  This is the place where I not only find myself uninterested in being out and about, but I also find it hard to even want to write and/or read, which is NOT me.

That's why it's very important to keep positive people, multiple positive people (if you're lucky) around that you can depend on to be there when you're down and who will come along and help pick you back up.

When I get too bogged down in the bitter truths of life I often find I lose motivation to be...me. I know that this isn't exactly a very inspiring post, but sometimes it helps just to release, and share the not-so-good things in our lives along with the good.

Lately I've been reading about some of the great writers of history and discovered that a significant number of them actually suffered from horrible bouts of depression throughout their life.  So we're not alone, this isn't some made up, fabricated issue that we sometimes find ourselves battling with.  It's real and you have to recognize it in order to do something about it.

Now knowing this, I also realize that writing can be a pretty solitary process, and to be honest I really prefer it that way.  It's hard for me to focus if I'm being bombarded by the presence of people all around me.  I even go so far as to seclude myself away from my husband and cat.  But it's important to remember that a life well and truly lived can also be a great source for good writing.  My hermit tendencies sometimes get the best of me and I literally have to force myself to be out and interact with people.

But something someone suggested to me recently has completely put a spark back into my life that I almost thought I'd lost.  They suggested I create a daily schedule for myself that includes activity that MAKES me get out from in front of a computer.  I've recently taken up a new Fitness Plan and have partnered up with another friend (who's actually in a whole other state) who acts as not only an accountability partner when I need it but also a great source of motivation. I find that having a regular workout schedule is definitely a motivator for me and also stimulates my creative mojo.  Now I'm not saying this is a sure fire way of keeping the blues away, but it's definitely an option and one that I'm really enjoying.  So a HUGE thanks to my partner in crime, Jess and my mom, Mary, who have both been a great source of support to me. You're both ROCKSTARS in my book!

So to all you readers out there...what's your method for getting out of the slumps when life gives you lemons, and you're not necessarily in the mood for lemonade?

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!