Insecure Writer's Support Group: Life Events VS Writing

I don't know if it's just my family, but big things always seem to happen right at the start of the year.

My brother died in January. My dad had his heart attack in February during a snow storm. I had my surgery in February. My father-in-law died in March. And now...

Hubby and I have bought a house!

We closed February 28th and there was a winter storm that day with bad winds. Not quite sure if it was before or after close, but we discovered this happened.

Luckily, it didn't hit the house and was close enough to the road to be the city's problem. We were also without a fridge up until yesterday thanks to the previous one dying about two weeks ago.

I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off to get everything set up and get moved. We still have some furniture to get and a dining room table, but I want to say we are about 80% there.

Despite this big upheaval in my life, I am happy to report I have still written something. Not a lot, but I've opened a WIP and added to it. Given how past events have completely derailed me, this is a huge thing for me.

I think the main reason for this is I scaled back the minimum I wanted to get written in a week.

Write one thing.

That's it. It may be a scene in Tenacity of Love or a 200-word story for A Quick Exam. But that's all I'm aiming for while navigating this upheaval in our lives. (At least this upheaval is a good one. Last year's really sucked and I'm still annoyed at my father-in-law for not fighting cancer.) As long as I can sit down at least one time during the week, I've achieved my writing goal.

It's honestly been a bit liberating having such small goals. I feel a lot less overwhelm because 200 words is doable. A scene or chapter is doable.

I don't get that instant exhaustion that hits me when I get overwhelmed by all I have to get done and holy shit how am I going to do it all and results in me taking a nap because I'm trying to recharge so I can attempt something, but even when I wake up, I'm still exhausted because all that stuff is still there.

(Forgive my run on sentence.)

I also made peace with the idea that I may get no writing in during the move. That alleviated a lot of guilt as well. Guilt can really weigh you down. Releasing it before it has a chance to exhaust me has helped in squeezing some writing in.

How have you handled writing during a big life event? Does anyone else get all the big stuff out of the way at the start of the year?

Today's post was part of the Insecure Writer's Support Group.

Created by the ninja captain, Alex J. Cavanaugh, it's a group for writers struggling with writing insecurity (AKA all of us) to gather and discuss their fears or to celebrate writing victories. If you are a struggling writer or need encouragement and friendship, join us. (Someone might have cookies!)

Remember to visit the co-hosts and give them a shout-out for helping. Kristina Kelly, Miffie Seideman, Jean Davis, and Liza @ Middle Passages!