Staying Positive

Why, yes. I DO feel awesome today. What tipped you off?

Every time I read this shirt, I giggle. I mean, what an audacious, ridiculous shirt! Here I am totally owning it. And by owning I mean wearing it because it's just so funny to claim yourself as awesome.

But I AM. Today at least.

Why? Oh, no reason. I just realized all this crazy might be making you think I got a book deal or something. Nope, not yet. Sorry. No book deals here. Nothing exciting at all, really.

There is no reason for my awesomeness except that I decided it.

This writing gig often comes with a lot of self-loathing, despair, and frustration. Like, a lot. With constant criticism (from yourself and others) through most every part of the process, it's hard not to get down. Sometimes I feel like I'm battling with myself, trying to stay upbeat despite that voice in my head that says I suck because insert-minor-failure-here.

But I've always believed in the power of positivity. It's not always easy to find the bright side, but just searching for it changes everything about a situation. It turns despair into hope. You have to have hope in this writing business—no matter how much it hurts at times—otherwise you'd give up or turn bitter quick.

Some Ways I Stay Positive:

1. No Comparing. It's not easy, but when I focus on making my own style as unique and clean as possible, then it's easier not to think about other writers who are further in their journey than I am.

2. Good Friends. Talking, laughing, and sharing with close writer friends always provides a good pick-me-up. They get it. They've been there or will be there. I couldn't do this without them.

3. Do Things I Love. As in non-writing things. Of course I love to write, but too much of anything is bad for you. There has to be a balance.

4. Shut Down The Networking Sites. Sometimes it's just too much for this introvert. Hearing about all the publishing news, etc, just makes me grumpy. If I get that way, I know I've been spending too much time online.

5. Work On Something New. I have kind of a short attention span. If I've been writing for a while, I need to switch to editing to give my brain a positive jolt. If I've been editing a lot, yeah, time to write something fresh.

6. Remembering All The Good. There are so many good things in my life, and when I focus on that then the bad things seem trivial.

7. Exercise. Whether it's DDR, biking, or dancing like an idiot in my living room, moving around always seems to shake off the blues.

8. Chocolate. Dark chocolate. Nuff said.

9. Believing Anyway. Sometimes you just have to tell yourself you're awesome until you believe it. Sure, it feels lame at first, but then you start laughing, and then somewhere deep down you know you're telling the truth.

10. Wearing Really Lame T-shirts. Seriously, it works. I feel awesome today.