Last Saturday I was working on this post. I was sitting in Starbucks typing away while I felt miserable. I was nauseous and lightheaded so I assumed I was dehydrated. It didn’t matter what I ate or how much water I drank, I still felt horrible. I stayed there until I couldn’t take it anymore, then I went home to sleep for a few hours.

While I was working, I remembered a conversation I had with a friend a few days before about feeling as though I’m being consumed by the lives of my characters. There seemed to be no end to when I’d let them go. I would write all day and think about them when I wasn’t writing. She assured me this was normal, but not to let it go too far. She told me I needed to set boundaries.

I’m currently unemployed, so I’m either applying for work or writing. The only time I make for myself is a few days a week at the gym and when I’m asleep (that’s assuming my characters will let me). Last week I spent more time in Starbucks than I did at home. Then when I was home, all I did was focus on my WIP (work in progress).

It wasn’t until Saturday morning when I realized that yes, I do need to set boundaries. If I don’t, I’ll run myself ragged. I don’t want my only human interactions to be with the people at Starbucks. My mind needs a break from Fiction Land so I don’t go insane.

Research, writing, and editing. That’s how I spend most of my time. I guess in the back of my mind, I write so much because I need to see the fruits of my labor. I won’t stop until I do. Here’s the thing, I don’t expect overnight success. I want to take my time, learn more about myself, and enjoy this journey. However, I work like I’m running out of time.

I love writing and I don’t want to do anything else. I just can’t let it consume me. I’m going on empty and I need to be poured into. The long hours in the coffee shop is wearing me out and taking all my money. So, I’m going to commit to a set amount of writing time per day.

I miss reading and just hanging out* I need to do more of it if I’m going to be any good at this. Also, I have to be mindful and present when I’m doing my daily devotionals. I can’t cram God in a 10-minute time slot and expect HIm to do His thing – that’s not how it works.

In order to be a better writer, I have to set boundaries and invest in self-care. So no more eating, sleeping, and breathing my WIP – for now. It’s essential that I pace myself so I don’t lose myself.

*I don’t want to create any illusions here. I’m an introvert. My version of “hanging out” is different from society’s, so I’m just going to cross that out. LOL!