Anytime you take on an endeavor as time consuming as writing is, you're going to have to sacrifice things, right? I doubt any of us were just sitting around for hours every day with nothing to do before we started writing. (And if you were, I guess you decided to sacrifice doing nothing then, right?)
So my big The Way We Are question today is, What is it you sacrifice for writing?
My answer:
Sleep, definitely.
TV, unless it's after the kids are in bed and also counts as time spent with hubby.
Playing games, unless it's with my family-- then it's family time, not wasting time.
House cleaning, yard work, laundry, grocery shopping, and cooking, but not too often.
And let's face it-- reading time. I'd definitely read more if I weren't writing. Sad.
The two things I sacrifice that are the hardest:
Being on top of everything and feeling like I have everything under control.
Creative energy to spend on anything other than writing.
Do I miss those things I sacrifice? Heck yes!
Would I give up writing for them? Heck no!
So what do you sacrifice?
21 comments:
Wow, that was EXACTLY like looking at my own list. The hardest thing is definitely giving up control. My husband (a writer, too) always tells me that when I lose control of things, that's God taking over. Good to remember!
TV and Reading are the big ones for me! And now the fall seasons are starting up so it's gonna make giving up TV even harder...
@Faith- I am going to have to remember that one!
I lose control of my exercise regimen. I used to spend my mornings at BootCamp, now I spend it on writing and have to squeeze my gym time in at other times of the day, which doesnt always work out.
Wow, I definitely don't sacrifice enough. I feel more motivated to prioritize my writing now. Thanks, Peggy!
Housework. I don't enjoy housework, but the loss of control when I emerge from my desk and see the trashed house is not good. I'd still rather be writing.
I sacrifice TV- although I have to admit it no longer feels too much of a sacrifice.. I've become super picky about what I watch instead. no more mindless TV watching for me
also time spent with non-family- I used to go on tons of playdates with the kids so I could socialize with other adults... no more... I take the kids out just enough for them to learn some social skills.
Sleep is top of my list definitely! And no, I wouldn't give it up! ;-)
Sleep! Sometimes (this is kind of horrible) I'll pretend to need a nap. My family will leave me alone, and I'll whip out my laptop and type as quietly as I can! My family says I'm addicted! Hahaha!
Faith-- Haha! We're sacrificing besties! And yes, your husband's advice is a really great thing to remember.
Kelley-- Ugh for hard choices! It gets easier, though. When you stop watching TV, you stop seeing those commercials showing how great shows are, they stop calling to you. Mostly.
Jessie-- Ahh! Exercise! That's one I didn't even mention! It was such my goal to go to the gym with my husband at 6am this year, but then I read a book about writing when your brain is first waking up, and I chose to do that at 6am instead.
Linda-- Awesome! You're welcome. :)
Tonja-- I hear you. On all accounts.
Cristina-- I think it gets easier, too. And I think sacrificing time with non-family is a big one, too. One that seems so easy to let go of, but then later you realize just how much you miss.
Talei-- It's funny how much sleep is the first thing to go!
Elizabeth-- That's the funniest story EVER! Hehehe. I'm still laughing.
What a great list; it feels eerily close to my own!
Right now, I'm sacrificing: sleep, exercise, an actual social life, some fun outings with my husband and decompression time.
I know it will be worth it eventually, but it's refreshing to hear I'm not the only one struggling to balance everything!
Sanity.
Definitely sanity.
...Can you tell? *grins*
Great post, as always! :)
I give up sitting in a dull canteen with work colleagues for lunch, sleeping on my journey home, and the TV in the evening.
You are right about the telly stops calling you after a while. Although, I find that my tollerance of a lot of the things on the box is less than it used to be, so that may play a part in me not watching it!
Definitely household chores besides laundry, cooking, the kitchen & errands.
We just moved, so I don't have much of a social life. But I don't call family & friends as much as I probably should. They should follow my blog. lol Or tweets. We'd talk more.
I totally hear you about sacrificing sleep. But sometimes the creative juices just flow and I have to stay up and write for as long as I can. TV is definitely something I have let go as well. If only there were more hours in a day!
Sometimes it can feel as though I'm sacrificing a little of everything for writing. Most of all, I hate the guilt that comes from spending less time with my children. They're only little for a short while, and I don't like missing even a second (even though it's unrealistic to always be there). *sigh* What would motherhood be without guilt?
Sleep! Definitely sleep... and social time... spending time with my friends.
As an avid reader of books, I express heartfelt gratitude to writer for their sacrifice. You make my world a brighter place!
Yup, sleep is sacrificed the most. Sleep and housework. :/ Balance is the hardest part of this whole writing-while-having-a-life thing. :)
Sleep and cleaning the kitchen are usually the things I sacrifice most.
Dropping by from your interview on Chantele's blog. Your blog is so cute! And I definitely sacrifice time reading or playing music, keeping my house clean and cooking. Right up there with everyone else's. Anyway, it's nice to meet you! I'm excited to follow your blog!
LisaAnn-- Yay! Sacrificing twins! I think every writer chooses to sacrifice a lot for that eventual payoff, in whatever form it takes. And I think every single one of us knows that it's totally worth it.
Carrie-- Hahahaha! I totally forgot to list sanity. Good one!
Iain-- Those are some good ones I hadn't even thought of! And yes on TV. Eventually it stops calling. :)
M-- Your comment about talking to friends & family more if they followed your blog or your tweets made me laugh out loud! Mostly because I totally understand it.
Lan-- We need to petition for more hours in a day! There just isn't enough, that's for sure. Or maybe if we just got a few "get out of sleep free" cards. :)
E.R.-- Mother guilt is the WORST! And spending less time with kids is one of the very hugest of sacrifices, definitely.
WritingNut-- We must really be a sleep deprived lot! It seems to be the sacrifice of choice.
Carterista-- Awww! You are a million kinds of awesome.
Alexis-- Balance is definitely illusive! It's something it seems you have to always work out. Finding the magical balance doesn't mean things are going to stay that way!
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