Tuesday, January 26, 2010

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.

61 comments:

  1. I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you over the sound of your AWESOMENESS.

    Also, can I please get a shirt like that?

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  2. Wonderful post! I've been on Twitter for 7 weeks and I cannot believe how miserable writers sound sometimes. I'm with you: words are gems of creation and come to make us happy. Stick to dark chocolate and your T-shirt. Way to go.
    Maryse

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  3. Where would I find one of these awesome shirts?

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  4. I feel better just looking at your awesomeness ... must be the reflected glow. Thanks for the tips, just what I needed.

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  5. Jennifer, I got it at Hot Topic on clearance. That's one of the non-online places for funny shirts. At least shirts that are funny to ME.

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  6. I'm in awe of your awesomeness. Thanks for the pep talk!

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  7. That is an awesome shirt! Whatever works, right? I have some Pirates of the Carribean shifts that I wear when I write my mermaid book!

    Question 1: Is that Heero from Gundam Wing in the background or an original character? He is very bishi. Nice to see another anime nerd out there! ;)

    Question 2: Is that your writing space? Because if so, I am glad I am not the only messy one out there. No matter how many times I straighten up, my books and papers still creep out from where they belong to take up space...

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  8. I want one! I'm gonna have to go search HotTopic soon, because that is just awesome hehe.

    Great post, and something I need to remember. May have to print out your list and post it on my wall, 'cause sometimes with college, a women's fraternity, and writing I just get depressed.

    Thanks for sharing, Natalie!

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  9. Elizabeth, he's not from Gundam Wing (though awesome show!). That's Adair from one of my wips. And yes, that's my writing space—I like a little chaos:)

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  10. Good tips, except I think you need to change #10 to Wearing Really AWESOME T-shirts! Your post reminds me of my favorite line from Kung Fu Panda, "There is no charge for awesomeness...there is also no charge for attractiveness." Best Disney movie line ever.

    Next I vote you post a pic in the ninja shirt you won on Kasie's blog. The two of you are starting quite a collection of T's.

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  11. I choose #10 ten and I already feel totally positive!

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  12. I love how you mentioned DDR. Seriously, on the higher difficulty levels, those songs are a legit form of cardio. No joke!

    Great post!

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  13. That shirt really is awesome. And it's awesome that you included dark chocolate on your list!

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  14. Your awesomeness is awe-inspiring. Thanks for the positive post! :-)

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  15. I love the awesomeness buzzing around you.

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  16. Candice, I posted a pic of the Ninja shirt on Twitter! But maybe I should put it up here, hehe.

    Jonathon, excellent choice! #10 is one of my favorites.

    Brandon, we're DDR FOOLS here. My husband plays on Expert—the other levels are too easy. I hang out on difficult/standard, but can swing expert sometimes:)

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  17. Great shirt, even better attitude. It can be hard to stay positive, but your list is spot on. Especially chocolate. ;)

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  18. Chocolate so dark that light cannot escape its surface ...

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  19. 11. Remembering that awesomeness doesn't come from others' validation. We're all worthwhile just because we are.

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  20. Where did you get that shirt? I want one! :)

    I should follow your example and try exercising more--or at least doing the foolish dancing to YouTube videos more often. :)

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  21. That shirt is flipping awesome. I want one!

    Chocolate is the best! I prefer mine covering pretzels with a glass of red wine. Yum!

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  22. LOL, forget my question. I just saw that you answered earlier. Perhaps I shouldn't be so ADD and actually read all the comments instead of scanning them :P

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  23. The word "awesomeness" always reminds me of Kung Fu Panda too. You are so awesome and attractive in that shirt; your enemies (those people you mentioned in yesterday's post) will "go blind from sheer awesomeness!"

    Your list is great. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  24. Last comment I promise :P If you like funny shirts, you should look at ThinkGeek's site. I've gotten many good shirts from there.

    Although, I have a feeling you probably already know of the site...

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  25. And you are awesome! That shirt made me life, but you know what? Sometimes we need to own it! Wear it with pride, my friend! Did I mention I'm so glad you feel awesome?!

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  26. I need to get some lame t-shirts! The closest thing I have is a bright green shirt that says, "Kiss Me, I'm Irish," (and I'm not, but my red hair makes me a good imposter) but it is from my pre-pregnancy days and was tight to begin with.

    I like the advice you give on staying positive. Chocolate is always amazing and I have found that the exercise trick definitely works. Music is always excellent as well, so long as it isn't the melancholy type :)

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  27. I needed the tip about no comparing. That can be dangerously crippling.

    Thanks Natalie!

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  28. Very nice! Yup, sometimes you just have to DECIDE that you and your writing are awesome ... I'm slowly moving toward that mindset myself (after many, many weeks of that OTHER outlook ...)

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  29. You had me until number 7. (Kidding! kind of . . .) ;)

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  30. I love your list. I'll substitute cinnamon rolls for #8 I'm allergic to chocolate.

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  31. Sue, cinnamon rolls totally count. Yum! Now I want one:)

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  32. You had me at chocolate! You are pretty awesome :)

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  33. Totally fabulous shirt! This is a great list and one that should be posted by all writers desks. :-)

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  34. Your awesomeness is an inspiration to us all. Great shirt, by the by.

    The post made me feel all cheery inside. Thanks. :)

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  35. Heck YEAH, DDR! haha.

    Thank you for posting positive vibes, Natalie. MUCH appreciated. :-)

    Word verification: rotoria.

    Oooh, sounds...British. Like, the COOL things that are over there. haha.

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  36. ナタリ,

    You are just naturally awesome. (What more can I say.)

    NEVER give up!

    Your loyal fan ...

    WW

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  37. I need to work on this.

    BTW, you are totally owning that shirt. ;)

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  38. What joyful inspiration! Thank you, and keep owning your awesomeness!

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  39. I like the work area behind you. I feel like if I sat there I would really have the essence of Natalie...and her awesomeness.

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  40. OH! I need a t-shirt like that. Awesome. I agree with the chocolate, I have 3 bags in my pantry. Mwa ha ha.

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  41. Amazing post! Thanks for the positive vibes.

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  42. My vintage wonder woman t-shirt is my guilty pleasure:)

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  43. Adair, huh? *drools* He is adorable; I think I am in love.
    Which WIP is he from? I am sooooo mad I can't read your books yet. *pouts* Stupid publishers.

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  44. Hooray! I love cool T-shirts. Especially Threadless.

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  45. i LOVE this - and the no comparing thing - although I suck at it - I love it. Life tends to be that way for me.
    i would be a much better writer if i stopped trying to mold my voice into something other than my voice. Dare I say - my voice is awesone :)
    Plus - I KNOW that book deal is coming, it's in my bones!
    Now the true question of the day - are ya gonna share where this T-Shirt with the life lesson came?

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  46. This reminds me of my own favorite lame t-shirt... also blue and pink!

    It says "Product of the 80's."

    (It's kinda tight, though, so when I wear it I feel slightly uncomfortable and as if I am claiming that my chest is the product of the 1980's instead of ALL of me.)

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  47. Cool t-shirt! Lovely blue color.
    thanks for this post. When I spend much time on twitter I get grumpy too. I'm trying to go offline for long stretches of the day, but now I'm happy I stopped by your blog.

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  48. You know the difference between happy and unhappy people? It's not money or a great job or great looks or a great family. (Although those things can help!) It's as simple as a decision to be happy, conscious or not.

    PS, I think you're awesome too!

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  49. This has cheered me up no end.

    Too easy to be sidetracked by...sidetracks.

    And that T shirt is spectacular. Shame I don't have one. BUT I do have a marker pen and a forehead, so this might make for a very interesting day...

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  50. I really needed this pep talk today, Coach. Thanks for providing it and love the shirt. :)

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  51. "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."

    {nods}

    And #4 is great advice. When I first realized what a wealth of publishing information there is out there, I gorged. I went nuts. I OD-ed. And now I'm back off, because I realize that being informed is one thing, but using education as an excuse not to work? That's bad. (And occasionally depressing.)

    You ARE awesome, Natalie! We are all witnesses. :)

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  52. Love your shirt, and love your attitude!! Thanks for the pep talk!

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  53. Haha! Seriously Natalie, you rock. Totally the Queen of Awesome. ;)

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  54. Thans for that--I really needed it...

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  55. Well, you ARE awesome. Simple fact.

    I linked to your blog today, recounting the story when you shared that you had a picture of your 10 year old self posted next to the computer. I couldn't find the original post, so I was going on memory, which is notoriously faulty. So, let me know if I got the story wrong!

    I'm happy today was a good day for ya'!

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  56. Susan, I don't think that was me. Sorry! No pictures of my 10-year-old self here.

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  57. Dang it! And I was just sure . . . can't apparently trust the memory banks, at all!

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  58. Yes! I love this post. Years ago, my hubby bought a tshirt that says "I HEART CATHERINE." I am going to dig out that shirt and wear it myself. Bring on the self-love.

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