Image by Nana B Agyei I wrote this yesterday and forgot to post it! :

It’s the last day of NaNoWriMo* here, and I’m feeling completely burnt out. I don’t want to write any more words, I don’t want to do anything but be a couch potato. I am so done with this month. And it’s not just NaNo that’s been wearing me down. For the last six or so months, I’ve been writing and editing non-stop, working on projects that I have to do and should do. It’s been exhausting. I haven’t had time for much else, and this makes me feel terrible!

So, I decided that in January (once my three deadlines are met), I’m going to be taking some much-needed time off to do whatever my little bibliophile heart desires. And then I’m going to be writing a novel that I’ve wanted to write for a while now, but haven’t had the chance.

While it’s sometimes good to be busy with lots of projects, it’s also important to take a break—whether that be an hour to read a couple chapters of a book, a day to get yourself back on track, a week to give yourself time to breathe, or a month after a labour-intensive schedule—and to remember that you and your welfare should come first (I suck at remembering this). Stressed over a scene that just isn’t working? Don’t sit in front of your computer, go for a walk! Get some fresh air or read a book! Forcing yourself to sit there is only going to make it worse. As much as we sometimes lead ourselves to believe, we aren’t actually chained to our desks, and I know it helps me to go and do something else instead of stewing about the problem.

While I’m trying to finish my last 1,000 words for NaNoWriMo and trying to not stress about it, I hope you all remember to take a break! And eat a cupcake once in a while, it helps, too! (I just love cupcakes)

*National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo.org)