Blogger: Mary Keeley
Our offices are officially closed for the Christmas holidays until January 3, because like you, we need time to focus on our families. I posted the following blog last year at this time, and it’s a worthwhile reminder again this year.
Let’s face it, all things Christmas are demanding our attention, and rightly so. You’ve worked hard at your writing career this year, and it’s time to enjoy your accomplishments and put the year’s unfinished goals aside for now. Unless you have a contractual deadline to meet, give yourself permission to adjust priorities for the Christmas holidays.
Easier said than done, you might think, because writers are told they need to write every day. But this season is different. There is purpose in Christmas downtime. Remember the many times throughout the year when your family supported you by doing the laundry, accepted microwave dinners with a smile, ran your errands, all the while understanding your semi-attentiveness while you were researching or writing? And what about relatives and the friends in your real life who have been relegated to the back burner too long? This special season is the right time to switch gears and gift these VIPs with your full attention and love.
First, clear your head. Step away from your computer and, dare I say, away from all things having to do with books and the publishing industry. Our blogs will be either short greetings or reposts of past popular blogs, so if you can’t check in every day, you don’t need to be concerned that you’re missing new information.
Indulge in your favorite Christmas movies without feeling like you should be doing something more productive. This IS productive. It will help you to wind down so you can give yourself fully to those who are most important in your life.
Take time to visit an older relative, friend, or a lonely person in a retirement home and listen to them reminisce about life and Christmases past. You might be the best Christmas blessing they receive. And who knows, their stories might inspire book ideas you to jot down to develop after the holidays.
Unplugging from your writing life for this short period of time will pay off in your writing life. I guarantee you’ll be excited to get back to it in January. And you won’t feel any nagging pinpricks of guilt and remorse over lost opportunities with the people who matter most.
Embrace your Christmas pause. You have permission.
Merry Christmas!
Finding Balance
I also finish today until Jan 3rd.
Merry Christmas all at Books and Such and fellow commenters
I hope you all have a good festive break, able to meet the new year, refreshed and recharged 🙂
Amen, Lord! Let us meet the New Year refreshed and recharged. May this Christmas weekend be a green pasture for all of us–a time of wonder, of stars and angels, of shepherds and kings, of new life and ancient wisdom. Fill us with your still waters–transform us into overflowing fountains of grace. Restore our souls!
And those prayers also for you, Nicholas.
This is a great post, Mary, and well worth the re-read. We wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas!
* For me, it’s more of a “Christmas Paws”; the sheer number of dogs who need care and attention mean that my life is really theirs, and with my declining ability, things take longer and are more tiring.
* There is a blessing here; all things Christmas becomes the One Thing of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Saviour Of the World. There are no piles of presents, no ornaments reflecting rainbow lights,no carols playing softly on the stereo (it’s broken). There is the ambience of the kennel, where the Holy Family might not feel out of place, and where they are truly welcome.
* I would not trade my life for anything; not even for health and a future. My ‘now’ is far too precious.
Thank you, Mary. And Merry Christmas!
Thank you for this post. Sometimes we need a reminder (or two) to step off the treadmill. We mustn’t forget where the word “holiday” came from.
Wishing all of you a blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.