If You Know What’s Good For You…

blueberries

I get up at 5:30 on weekdays and about 7:00 on weekends. I’ve been doing this for the past few years so I can write for about an hour before taking care of required life business. Too often, instead of writing I do the following:

  • Water the garden
  • Pick blueberries from the yard (okay, this is lovely, right?)
  • Check emails – mostly from Talbots, Lord & Taylor, J. Jill, Real Beauty (??) – I never shop at any of these places
  • Look at Facebook posts
  • Read other people’s blog posts
  • Clean the kitchen
  • Grocery shop before the weekend hordes descend
  • Read the newspaper
  • Cook
  • Laundry

laundry

Yes, a few of these are necessary, constructive and nourishing things to do. But this is supposed to be my writing time. Why don’t I honor that? Why am I distracted by nonsense?

If I write at the very beginning of the day, I get to walk around all day with a happy secret practically humming inside of me. It’s beautiful. I can physically locate that good feeling right below my ribs. Yes, as I sit here I feel like I’m charging my Solar Plexus – like I’ve got a little Sun in there glowing brighter as I put words to page.

Only in writing this today did I realize the physicality of what happens to me when I write, that I can actually locate a place in my body (besides my stiff shoulders) where I feel this. Of course I had to step away for a minute for a little (distraction??) online research and found this on balancechakra.com:

Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura

The Solar Plexus Chakra is a center of personal strength, learning and comprehension. It guides you through life by creating a strong sense of self, setting personal boundaries and building self esteem and willpower. The ability to bring change into your life and to the world is born within this Chakra.

No wonder starting the day by writing feels good! I’m feeling my Solar Plexus, baby!

So why do I procrastinate rather than head directly to a beautiful accessible place? Do I need to look at those pictures of Amal and George Clooney instead? Really?

Yes, I do shit like that. Do you?

9 thoughts on “If You Know What’s Good For You…”

  1. I know! How great, right? Your comment inspired me to post one of my usual blurry shots. They’re really easy to grow although it’s take a few years to get the bounty of this year.

  2. Oh my – I do exactly that way, way too often. You’re absolutely right that my day goes better and my mind feels cleaner if I’ve written something – even a long email to a friend – or at least journaled before starting my day. Why I avoid something that ultimately brings me such pleasure has been an enduring mystery to me.

  3. I too do shit like that!! Glad I’m not alone.

    Wow, blueberry picking in the morning — now that sounds ideal. Wish I could trade you some of my overly abundant yellow cherry tomatoes for some of those berries!

  4. Oh, that would be nice!
    I’ve been worrying about you with all these fires in your beautiful part of the country. Keep safe!

  5. Interesting that we all seem to whittle away precious writing time procrastinating….and a “quick email check” has really added to that – it takes a lot of time to delete all of those cold call emails! I read the paragraph about the solar plexus chakra twice and will try to key into the sensation you describe. I DO know that I feel gratified and relieved when I write a piece I like….because I need the affirmation that I can still do it! Every time I write something I like, I worry I’ll run dry.

  6. Tricia, I’m so impressed that you get up at 5:30 on a regular basis–wow. And FASCINATED by the solar plexus chakra. I’m going to have to find out more…

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