On routines and writing

Hi friend!

I've been really looking forward to writing this particular newsletter, because it's actually the first time I've written anything at all for the past month. It's so good to be putting words down on a blank page again!

Way back in March (which was somehow only last month?!) my spouse and I started to casually look for a house, only to fall in love with the second one we ever looked at (!), put in an offer, and well, now a month later, we're apparently home owners.

It's been a wild ride! I have never felt so overwhelmed, so excited, and so afraid simultaneously. The last few weeks, I have been the living embodiment of that one scene in Tangled where Repunzel leaves her tower for the first time and switches between "this is the best thing ever" to "this is the most horrible decision!"

One of the facets of the process that's been difficult to sort through is that it turns out that my brain uses the same exact resources for buying a house that it does for writing. It makes sense, if I think about it. Both of these disciplines take turns using both logic and creativity for different parts of the process. So while in the thickets of escrow (which involves a brick ton of waiting and patience), I decided it would behoove my sanity not to be working on the novel.

But as much as that was the right decision, it was really hard for me to just live real life without constantly tinkering a piece of fiction in the background. It's honestly taught me the importance of writing in my life. Publishing and having my stories read is extremely valuable, but ultimately, I write because there is a great need for it in my life. With writing, I'm able to give myself a buffer that's hard to come by any other way.

So now, I'm thinking about how to get back into the routine of writing while we begin renovations and begin packing. I definitely have a lot of brain space back, but I'm going to have to take it slowly before I have a routine built up for this transition period.

If you've gone through a move before, especially as a writer, I'd love to hear your thoughts / suggestions for keeping your routines!

Okay, that's a lot of wordiness from me! I hope you're having a marvelous Monday and a good start to your week.

All my love,

Yasi