Insecure Writer's Supporp Group: Writing Is Energy

I almost didn't have a post for this month. If you recall last month, I said life was lifey and with hubby's continued lack of job, writing had taken a back seat in my life. I haven't written anything outside of some newsletter posts, but the night before IWSG, I had something to talk about so here I am.

And that's how I don't really see much discussion on how writing takes energy.

In the writing community, we like to joke, "Butt in chair and write." I often feel like its said in a way that implies that because you are sitting down to write, you are not exerting energy.

That couldn't be farthest from the truth. At least not for me.

The main reason my writing has ground to a halt is because I don't have the spare brain power for fiction. All my noggin energy is going to figuring out how to get the bills paid for the month. We are now at the point where we have to start drawing from savings. I don't work enough at Salvation Army to cover even half the bills. My boss would love to give me more hours, but Salvation Army is a charity. They tightly control how many hours all employees get, so I can't ask for more hours. (Add to the fact our taxes went up by one thousand dollars. 😭😱 I'm planning on going down to find out what happened to the poverty exemption application I submitted last month as the fall tax bill is now over $3,000. 😱) It's exhausting being on this tight rope.

It's not just fiction I think this applies to. Lots of sit down tasks people seem to forget you still extend energy to get done. When hubby was working, he was worn out by the end of his work day because he sat around for eight hours thinking. When he clocked out, he wanted something to do that didn't require much thought. His brain needed a rest after pulling a 9 to 5.

I dunno. I just feel like I don't see this aspect discussed often. I'm curious to if others are like me and doing lots of big brain activities can wear a person out just as much as the physical ones.

And if you would like to help me and my husband out, consider grabbing some of my books, buying a knitted hat or toy, or checking out my Ko-Fi. (Most my books are only on Amazon, but will be going wide in the next few months. I got no KU reads lately, so it's not worth staying in.) At the very least, send some positive vibes for us into the universe because it's not getting the message after 9 freaking months of job hunting. Maybe if enough people yell at it, it will send hubby in the right direction and he'll land a job.

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. Rebecca Douglass, Natalie Aguirre, Cathrina Constantine, and Louise Barbour!