So yesterday I did other things. I went out for some of this:
I didn't used to like sushi, but the more I eat it the more I crave it. Nigiri (rice ball and fish) is my favorite. It seriously soothes my soul. Food has always had that effect on me—good food, made with skill and love.
And I bought SHOES. Yes, I'm a stereotypical female in that respect. Love shoes, in particular those that stand out.
I can't tell you how long I've been on the hunt for cute yellow shoes. And the zebra? I've always wanted a pair, and they'll go great with the hot pink pencil skirt I found.Is it obvious yet that I have a thing for color? No? Okay, one more embarrassing picture:
I had orange shorts, but now I also own neon orange pants! All is right with the world.When I got home from my outing, I did break down and read a few blogs. I'm glad I did, because Maggie Stiefvater wrote just what I needed to read. Basically, she said writers need to live, as in doing other things besides writing. If you spend all your time in front of the screen, you use up the experiences you draw on to write without generating new ones.
Sometimes I forget to live, which sounds silly but it's true. I feel like if I'm not doing everything possible to get out there in the writing world, I'll never make it. I feel like if I take a break I'll lose all the momentum I've generated. I work too hard sometimes.
In reality, there's nothing wrong with taking a break, slowing down to refill the inspiration tank. In fact, it's probably good for you.
So I'm taking a break of sorts. I'm sure I'll still be blogging, but my writing will be on a strictly whim basis. I need to live a little.
Aww! Thos yellow shoes are so cute! Also, i'm eating sushi tomorrow for lunch and i CANNOT WAIT!
ReplyDeleteMMMMM.
Enjoy your time off! And don't try to hard to find the happy, it will come back on its own
GOOD FOR YOU! Get out there and relax. Relax hardcore. You deserve it more than anything.
ReplyDeleteAnd way awesome pants, I must add.
Mmmmmm, sushi...
ReplyDelete(LOVE the pants.)
Good for you! I'm guilty of running myself into the ground and it's all so silly, because pushing yourself too hard sucks the joy out of something--and isn't that supposed to be why we write? My goal is to be a little more balanced with the "me-time" so I don't burn out. Glad to hear you're taking a break. Enjoy it!
ReplyDeletePS: OMG those yellow shoes are adorable. WANT!
I had a friend that ate sushi all the time and he went to the doctor for stomach cramps, turns out that he had a parasite (worm) living in his stomach that he got from eating to much sushi. But I'm missing the point of the blog... What I mean to say is I can relate to you totally. Taking time is essential to feed your brain.
ReplyDeleteI just wrote about taking a writing break the other day. :)
ReplyDeleteLoving the shoes...I need to convince hubby that it's time for me to go shopping. Maybe I can use it under the guise of buying nice outfits for job interviews :)
And while part of my weakness is shoes, I think a bigger part is makeup. I can spend too long browsing the shelves of Sephora. It's probably a good thing I'm married otherwise I'd be putting more into that getting things from that store than what would be healthy...
You are rocking those orange pants. I can't say I'm very brave when it comes to color. =P
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs a break now and then. Our bodies and minds need time to recharge.
I'm hearing you loud and clear today. I've been working steadily trying to get further into the WIP but I need to stop now. I need to do the mundane clean-the-house thing. And maybe tomorrow I'll get to the bookstore and cash in all those gift cards I won.
ReplyDeleteDo whatever you think is necessary.
Dude, those orange pants are hawt! (And surprisingly flattering.) Mind sharing where you got them? My boyfriend is a HUGE Syracuse Orange fan, and I've been considering sprucing up my orange gear. (Although for brightly colored clothing, green is prolly *my* fave.)
ReplyDeleteYou also have great taste in shoes.
I hope you un-burn out soon! (For your sake, not mine. Although my sake will be happy too.)
Office Girl, you will not deter my sushi eating with parasites! I like it that much.
ReplyDeleteKristan, I got them at Ross (which I think is called Marshall's in some places). It's like TJMaxx, etc. Yes, I'm a bargain shopper—I'm kind of poor and definitely a cheap skate.
Go Natalie! You definitely need to live all you can and it sounds like you're having fun. Great!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the zebra-striped shoes!
ReplyDeleteAnd please, definitely take a break. Everyone deserves one. Writers have to make sure they give themselves breaks, because unlike most professionals, we often have outside jobs as well, and our work can be done at any time, which means we don't have a physical beginning and end to our work day. That makes it stressful, because we always feel like we could/should be writing if we have any free time. But as Maggie Stiefvater said, you have to live life!
On and btw, we have Ross and Marshalls here, so I don't know if they are the same or not.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm a cheapskate, too, Natalie! I think a shirt is expensive if it's more than $10. I am used to thrift store shopping and have to really fall in love with an item to pay full price (sometimes even sale price) for stuff at the mall.
As you know, I'm all about breaks. Being burned out just isn't fun or worth it. There are so many more amusing things to be. :)
ReplyDeleteSo enjoy that break. And that sushi.
This is beyond true. So glad you found shoes and neon pants and ate sushi! Hope you enjoy living for a while.
ReplyDeleteThat's why I always take one day off a week from writing. Besides keeping a commandment, it just gives me time to rest up and recharge, so I can hit Mondays fresh.
ReplyDeleteTurns out that Heavenly Father fellow knows what He's talking about:)
Krista, I actually don't write at all on the weekends. Too busy.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been getting my fill on sushi. I think you need to remember to take me along!
ReplyDeleteFind a babysitter, hon:P
ReplyDeleteOh I feel you!! It's easy to get burned out and frustrated with anything that's overdone.
ReplyDeleteTake a break and let yourself relax and enjoy life a little. You'll know you're ready to write again.
Good for you. I want those shoes!
ReplyDeleteEw. Sushi. I'm not a convert for that. There are tons of Japanese foods that I love, but for some reason I can't seem to go for that one.
ReplyDeleteAs for the taking a break sometime, it's not probably good for you. It IS good for you. You need it. Cheers for Maggie Stiefvater for helping you see it, and 3 cheers for slick shoes.
Thanks! Now I have a craving for sushi!
ReplyDeleteBreaks are good . . . unless you stress out about having them. :)
Those pants are hot and I totally want those zebra shoes. And in order to help you "live" I'm going to let you come see me. I swear, I'm so selfless sometimes. :) Okay, no, I'm being totally selfish, you must come visit me soon. That would make me so happy. Great post. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteLois, I've actually been trying to like sushi for TEN years! The first time I had it, I literally had to run to the bathroom and...you know. But I kept trying, and each time it became less and less gross. I still can't eat a roll with lots of nori (seaweed), but I'm on my way!
ReplyDeleteKasie, oh, that would be so cool. Make that happen;P
Take a break and have a good time Natalie! You deserve it! =)
ReplyDeleteViva la LIFE!!
ReplyDeleteYay! It's about time you took a break! All that writing you do was starting to make me look bad.
I mean. Um.
Yay for breaks! You totally deserve it! It'll rejuvenate you like a hundred sushi rolls.
You're right. That was a very cool post by Maggie Stiefvater. I love the pants, and I want to see the pink skirt with the shoes.
ReplyDeleteNatalie--When you're not having fun you should take a break...I'm taking a break from Iowa...I needed some spring, so we headed south for the week. I've been out of the loop since Saturday...I'm ready to get back on board on Monday: blogging and writing. I have my fingers crossed that when I get back all of the snow is gone.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I don't not write on Saturdays - but it often works out that way:)
ReplyDeleteYummy sushi! Great clothes too :)
ReplyDeleteTaking breaks are very important for refreshing yourself. (Definitely a case of practice what I say, not what I do).
CUTE ZEBRA SHOES!!
ReplyDeleteI am very, very, very relieved to hear you're taking a break. About two years ago, I almost worked myself into the hospital. A writer friend told me to STOP. Take a break. The idea of stepping away (especially when I felt the clock ticking) was horrifying, but I decided she could probably see the situation more clearly than I could. So I took a break. She was right. It was exactly what I needed, and when I did go back to my work, I came back to it with an open mind and a calmed heart.
As writers — especially writers for teens, who have the added pressure of being active in blogs, Twitter, etc — we live our lives in front of a computer screen. I FEEL this eating away at me, and I'm sure you do, too. It's good to have these reminders to step away. It's good to be reminded that *this* isn't everything.
Yesterday when I woke up, I thought I would die if I had to sit behind a computer screen. And I mean, I honest-to-goodness thought that some part of my soul would die. And then I heard my friend's voice whispering in my ear. I took the day off, too. :)
Everyone here loves you & is rooting for you. Please take MORE time off, step away from ALL of this. We will be here when you return.
what a cute post. tehe. love all the colors.
ReplyDeleteenjoy your break!!
:D
I know you're only flagging up the orange trousers to spite me.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile — drink plenty of fruit juice & maybe go surfing...