Happy new year! 2024!
We are all diving in to a new year with new goals and dreams! I know writers are always pressing hard to keep moving forward. The books have to be done on time. The proposals have to be submitted for the next contracts. The marketing is never-ending. And let’s not forget to mention the day-to-day work around the house. A lot of this stuff is fun! (Okay, not the housework, but the other stuff.) We have all been in the place of hoping and dreaming for the opportunities that are now before us. The chance to write a book. The chance to pitch a book. The chance to publish and promote that book. The interactions with readers. All of these things are good and exciting, but at times it can be overwhelming. Before the fun and excitement is gone and before you are bordering on burn-out, please remember it’s okay to take a break! Schedule them in! Make sure you are allowing yourself time off.
Many of us are Christian writers and we have Christ as an example of someone who took time off. Jesus often went off by himself to pray. He took time out from ministry and his day-to-day life to spend alone with God. He filled himself up spiritually, during those times off, for his future ministry activities. It’s important for each of us to take time to fill ourselves up spiritually, too. If we are frazzled and spiritually dried out, then we will have very little to offer to those who are looking to us for direction through our writing ministries. Whether you are writing fiction or nonfiction, God has put you in a place where you are a voice in others’ lives. It’s important to take care of yourself so you can be a good, strong, God-focused voice during your times to “speak” through your writing opportunities.
I hope you will all take the time to rest and refresh! Make it a habit to take a little time each day–a devotional time or a prayer-walk maybe? And also try to take a day off each week. God did during creation and encourages us to have a Sabbath day–it’s one of the 10 Commandments. Sabbath means “to rest.”
May you all rest so you can be energized to continue your good work with joy!
Merry Christmas from Books & Such!
Thank you so much, Rachel. This speaks to me. Being in full-time camp ministry (plus writing) it is so hard to find time to take a break. Our busy time is the weekend and so we should be taking a break on Monday or maybe Tuesday. . . but that is when others are gearing up for their work week and need to contact us about all the things. Then suddenly my husband and I look at each other and realize he hasn’t had a day off in a month or more. Rest should be a priority, thank you for helping us all remember that God created us for regular pauses and ponderings and slowing down for just a bit.