Life is usually pretty fast-paced here. Recently, it’s been faster-paced than usual.
Today is the first day of school for my children. The last week has been a blur of preparations for school, celebrating a family birthday, and other activities. One of my babies is going to high school today…and I really don’t know where the time has gone.
On Tuesday, there was an earthquake in Virginia. The tremors were felt as far away as Georgia.
My dad felt them in South Carolina. “I was reading on the porch,” he said. “I felt them for about ten seconds.”
I’d been driving at the time, focused on the task so that I could check something else off my list to get to another thing on my list…and then another.
Several other people asked me if I’d felt anything. I think, on Tuesday, the ground would have had to have opened and swallowed me up before I noticed. No, I didn’t notice an earthquake. If I felt anything, I probably just attributed it to uneven pavement under the car.
But if I’d been reading on a quiet porch in South Carolina? Sure. I’d have felt them then.
This makes me think that I need to give myself a little more breathing room each day to just observe.
Whenever I’m not running frantically, I’ve noticed that I get more ideas for my writing. I might get a character idea or a bit of description, or a plot twist. It might even be something big, like an idea for a series.
Although I don’t see life getting any quieter in the next couple of weeks (the opposite is true, actually), I think I’m going to get up earlier to get prepared for it all so that maybe I can fit in my breathing space between it all. I usually get up at 5—I think I’m going to make it more like 4:30. And maybe do more list-making the night before I turn in. That way I won’t be playing catch-up each day.
How do you fit some quiet time into your day? All ideas welcome. :)
Elizabeth – Oh, you are asking such an important question! We all do need time to breathe, and I think that’s especially true when life seems to get more hectic than ever. That’s one reason I get up as early as I do. For the first little while of my day, no-one’s awake yet, so I have those desperately-needed quiet moments. I also carve time out for myself a couple of times a week to go to the gym. Yes, I’m physically working out, but mentally, I’m “on hold.” No ‘phone, no TV, no Internet, just me and my music.
The world seems to have gone a bit crazy, earthquakes every day!
I walk during lunch time in the park, by the river. It’s good to think and breathe in the fresh air.
Every Savage Can Reproduce
I’m bad for this. If I get a moment of quiet time I always wonder if I shouldn’t be writing.
I find that you simply cannot have real quiet time these days. You almost have to go into seclusion.
But I did make a big difference in my life when I quit hanging out in a writer’s forum — and then made a point of not replacing it with other forums.
Hey, Elizabeth, your solution made me smile because it’s more “doing.” Just breathe, sweetie pie. Take five minutes with no to-do list and sit and breathe in and out. Love,
Karen
I was at work, so I definitely felt the earthquake.
My guitar playing is my quiet time. I always try to make room for it in my day.
My life used to be like yours, Elizabeth. However now every day I am lucky to have quiet time all day long.
Enjoy yours!
My dog drives me nuts, she gets me up every morning at six and won’t leave me alone until I take her for a walk. However, those walks are amazing for my writing energy. I not only get exercise, but I can think.
You’re right, it’s so important.
I see that you’re using the button I made, how cool!
I need some time to breathe.
And I didn’t feel the earthquake either! My husband called, all excited – “Did you feel that?” I was up moving around at the time and didn’t feel a thing. Pits, we have an earthquake and I totally missed it.
I second the idea of using walking the corgi time to give yourself a chance to breathe. I know that “child entering high school” feeling very well – my only son is graduating this year and my eldest daughter starts university. Youngest child starting Grade 9. I’m feeling very, very old.
I walk. It opens my mind to all sorts of things.
I was at home. The house was built in the 40’s and I felt nothing. Around here people in newer buildings seem to feel it more. Makes you wonder about building quality.
M Beth Vaughn
I didn’t feel the quake although lots of people around here did. I was driving at the time so I problably just wrote it off to bumpy roads.
I’ll get lots of quiet time today. Seven hour drive down to Tennessee for the Killer Nashville Conference. But most of the time, it’s a struggle to find some.
4:30 in the morning? No, I don’t think we have a 4:30 here! I thought I was up at the crack of dawn when I jumped out of bed this morning at 6:00.
Quiet moments to just listen and observe are priceless. I also need to spend more time doing that.
Enid–Sounds like the perfect time to have a nice walk and some quiet time!
Paul–I’m like you–I’ll pull out a notebook. But if I don’t have downtime, my writing life isn’t as productive, I’ve noticed.
Alex–Sounds like a great time for reflection!
Margot–Oh gosh. Yes, I should be going to the gym, too. I have that Y membership. It makes sense.
Glynis–I’m looking forward to it! Ha!
Clarissa–I’m thinking I need to take the dog for a walk! And…yes, I took your button! You’re too good at design. :) I’m design-challenged…
Diane–And we know we’ll never feel one again! Not very common in NC…
GigglesandGuns–Good idea! I may have to take the corgi for a stroll this morning. Two birds with one stone.
That *does* make me wonder about modern construction!
LD Masterson–I’d imagine it would be hard to tell when driving…
Oh, I’ve heard Killer Nashville is a *great* conference! Wish I could make it. Have fun!
I hike with my pup every single day. If we should miss a day, we are both out of sorts. It’s my time and my sanity. Lovely photo.
No good advice if you mean how can I help you accomplish more than you already do.
But remember to take care of yourself because that matters in the long run, my friend.
Earth quakes are very interesting from a scientific point of view. I would liked to experience one, but not too big >:)
Cold As Heaven
The Daring Novelist–I’ve heard that forums are particularly addictive! I’ve tried to keep away, but I know there’s so much good info there…
Karen–I think I’ve totally forgotten how to do that! But that makes so much more sense than what I’m doing. I’m going to try to turn myself off for a few minutes before the children come home.
Elspeth–How do you do it!? Can we squish them down and make them smaller? I felt elderly this morning. Completely elderly. I’m not sure if it was the 4:45, the child in high school, or the fact that I had so much on my plate to do today!
Cold As Heaven–This one would have been perfect for you! 5.6, no injuries, minor structural damage…you just couldn’t have been in a car in NC to feel it!
Patricia–I was up at 4:45 this morning and it seemed really, really dark outside. :) I’m not sure it was technically really morning.
Julia–I’m going to walk up to the bus stop with my dog and get my daughter off the school bus. She’ll be thrilled. :)
Dorte–You’re so right! I think I need to consider health and sanity a little more.
My quiet time normally comes around 3:00-5:00 in the morning. Before anybody else gets up, before the flurry of going-to-school, before too many other FBers are on line. And my international friends are winding down after a hectic day. A bit of insomnia goes a long way for me.
Your post reminded me of something I read my another author who was so busy writing, the teapot overheated and nearly started a fire. She decided it was a sign to live in the here and now. Later the same day, she was driving when she noticed a dog approaching the road; when it bolted in front of her, she was able to miss it. Had she not been paying full attention, she might have hit it. Her final statement was: “Lost the teapot. Saved the dog.” That has stuck with me ever since. I hope to learn to breathe more. It seems like the more we have to help us (electronics, appliances, etc) the more we are expected to do. We have to learn to stop and smell the roses. And see the dog.