Fitting Writing into a Hellish Schedule

I’m on a work study program. This means a 1.5 hour commute by train, bus, and walking (3 hours round trip, more if traffic is bad). Eight hours working, then back to study for night classes for another three hours.

Let’s face it. Most of my writing (if any) has been in my head. As in, nothing down on paper. Just frantic thinking.

To be honest, there is no miracle solution when it comes to fitting writing into a busy schedule. If you have familial obligations to take care of, or other personal issues, then writing becomes nonexistent. (if it was even a thought in the first place).

Lately, it seems writing cuts into my sleep schedule. I figure that, as a budding insomniac, writing is more productive than sitting in bed staring at the ceiling all night.

This weekend, instead of stressing out about how unproductive I was being, I took a trip to the beach with my work-study roommates and stared up at the bluest sky. The ocean in front of me curled into the horizon, so that sky and sea were inseparable.

Now, I think back on that moment again. The peace and serenity of accepting that writing is messy, lying back and not allowing myself to have a care in the world other than the present and that beautiful beach. I allowed myself happiness instead of beating myself up over failure to be perfect.

 

Fitting writing into your life can sometimes feel like taking a wrecking ball and plowing it into your neat little structure of order and schedules.

 

But that’s okay.

 

Sometimes, you need a little disorder to fit the important things into your life. Just stay healthy.

 

And if you’re a writer with a sleeping problem like me, then learn to dream while you’re awake.