I am doing my first half marathon Labor Day weekend. While visiting my parents last week, my sister (and marathon runner) asked how my training was going. I told her I felt good, and I was ready. Then she mentioned "the wall".
She said every runner has a wall, and you won't necessarily know what your wall is until you hit it.
That night, I dreamed about running into an invisible wall during the race and collapsing. I have not written a word or blog post since.
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Every time I sat down to write, I froze. Nothing came, and the desire was simply not there.
I didn't want to have too many days without a post, so I'm writing this post without a well-developed answer for...
1) Why I hit the wall.
2) What I'm going to do about it.
For now, I'm taking a blog/writing vacation until Monday when my kids go back to school. I'm going to focus on them (and other things) and stop putting pressure on myself for a couple of days.
Wish me luck, and stick with me. I'll be back!
11 comments:
Good luck! I hit the writing wall so many times, there's a me-shaped impression in it, but the good news is that, for every time I hit it, I get back up again. You'll get there, too!
I hear you about hitting the wall, Tia. I actually have started writing again, just spitting words past the pain and the fear. You'll get there, too, but there's no rush. Enjoy the time with your children, and know that the words will be there and so will we.
When I first read your post, I thought: it's okay, perhaps you just need to surrender to the wall. Stop completely and give yourself a chance to rest. From reading your blog, I can tell that you're a very hardworking person, devoted to your family, your community, your writing. Perhaps you're gathering strength and energy for your next big growth spurt. May you find inner peace during this time of stillness.
Hang tight! When you hit the wall, take a step back for a few days, collect yourself and when you're ready, jump over the damn thing. We're here for you! Hugs to you and your family and enjoy these last few days before September. (:
Hey! You are so amazing, you probably just need some time to recharge! With all you do, and the passion you put into your work, you need to give your brain time to soak up some energy! You will see, it will come back like a freight train!
Big hugz,
Sandi
I find that the wall is, in my own life, simply an obstacle to be overcome. Of course, my wall is bound to be different than yours.
My wall is one of fear, fear of the unknown. I must fight through them, over them, to get into the untamed jungles of my life, where I can experience true growth and creativity.
If a break from writing is what you need, then take it! Enjoy your weekend off, and recuperate. Then, on Monday when you come back, your mind will be in the right place to pick back up where you left off.
Best of luck!
That invisible wall and I have become great friends, or more like enemies, from me running into it so many times. Like other commenters have said, sometimes reflection and recharge can do wonders to get you going again! Good luck with the marathon!!!
I look forward to seeing you back on Monday :) If you aren't there, we'll come looking... Not a threat, you know, just good old fashioned pushing you. :) Many hugs!! WRITE ON!
Hi there! Your friend Elise mentioned you and your collab on our blog today over at Falling for Fiction so I HAD to come check you out. :) The book sounds fabulous.
I happen to be a runner too! I've ran in about seven half marathons and refuse to believe in 'the wall'. (Running or writing).
A wall is something solid, hard, unyielding, something a human cannot get through with our bare hands no matter how hard we try. To me, that sounds totally depressing.
I prefer to think of it more as a dense forest. Sure, we can't keeping chugging along strait ahead. Now there are trees in front of us, twigs, stumps and branches below us, but we can make it through. It just takes different focus, a slightly different path and a slightly different way to attack the journey.
You're tackling the 'writing forest' well. Take a break. Gather more inspiration from life, your kids, etc. When the forest thins a little, you'll be ready again. :)
So nice to 'meet' you! :)
Here's hoping it's a low wall, and you can just take a breather before getting over it. I do think we need breaks. There seems to be a vibe of "you always have to be writing" in the writers' world, but I think we need to do more self-care and build a little margin into our lives: Take a writing and blogging vacation. Enjoy your kids. Tend to yourself. Jump back in when you're ready, Tia!
Thanks to each of you for the encouraging words. It truly helped me get back to the business of writing!
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