I could write a whole series about doing ‘x’ consistently is hard – especially when it comes to this business. Writing is definitely one of the top 3. I write because I want to document this process and honestly so I can look back one day and remember how I felt as I was starting. I also write to share the process with others who want to know what it’s like and so I don’t have to explain over and over again how the business is going.

Why do I find it so hard?

I think writing consistently is hard for a few reasons:

I’m not a natural writer. If you’ve met me…I’m more of a talker.
Writing these musings – especially the ones categorised ‘Lows‘ often remind me that things aren’t going as fast as I want them to go. Or it’s a post about something I’m finding particularly hard.
Finding time to do anything consistently can be so hard with children. Aside from Spiritual development and exercise (and these two took many years of practice before I got consistent), everything else can be so hard to do regularly. Children do not care about your plans. Sometimes I’ll plan to wake up really early and start writing at 6. So I’ll sleep early. That will be the day the girls wake up at 5.30. Or I’ll have planned a morning of work and have childcare lined up and for some reason the plans will come crashing down.
Sometimes I’m just not in the ‘mood.’ This is the one I’m trying to address because related to the point above, being in the ‘mood’ and having available time often don’t line up. Sometimes I’ll get this feeling that will come over me and I feel like I could sit and write for hours and hours, but the stars rarely align. The chances are that this feeling comes as soon as I’m meant to go to sleep because I have an early start the next day.
Is anyone even reading this? I do this more for myself rather than others, but I do wonder whether anyone actually cares. Ha.

Today was one of those days where my childcare plans fell through. I’m currently sitting on the stairs, writing this Musing and I’ve been interrupted 5 times and counting. To quote an age old saying, ‘The struggle is real.’

So what’s working?

The first thing that’s helping is my Trello Board. I’ve made a list of topics I want to write about. Whenever anything comes to my mind, I add it to this board. Trust me, I have no shortage of inspiration and I have a long list of yet to be written Musings.
Voice notes. Sitting down to write and staring at a blank screen can sometimes be so discouraging. Once I start it always gets better, but the inertia is so real. What I’ve started doing is making these audio musings. I make recordings about the topic and then I play them back to myself and type. I did say I was a natural talker. When it comes to write the post, it’s always easier as I’m working from a base.
Whenever, wherever. This one is so important with young children. I started this post on the steps, I’m finishing it locked in the toilet. Sometimes I need to push myself to write in unconventional situations. When the world opened up briefly and I got to go into the office a few times, I would write on the notes app on my phone. The hardest part is starting…so I’m pushing myself to start in spaces I wouldn’t previously had considered.

Looking ahead

“Discipline is underrated”
Me

I feel myself getting better at this, I know it’s something I can do. I’ve often agreed that discipline is underrated. I love getting hold of something and mastering it. In 2021 I’m looking to write regularly, to write more freely and to really try to enjoy it. Rather than feeling the pressure of having to crank out a Musing a week (I feel like this sometimes), I want to feel joy. This is another part of the journey and you know I believe in ‘Joy in the Journey.’ So I’m going to write because I have the right to speak and I have the privilege of being heard. I’m going to write through the discomfort and the funks, in the Highs and the Lows.

If you’ve read this far, thank you.

_{Image credit: Getty Images/EyeEm}