Covid is destroying me, Ami. But I'm getting back to work and feeling better today than I did yesterday. That's a big change from the last few weeks, so I have hope!

And you're exactly right. It is so hard to give ourselves grace! And we NEED to! I wonder if that is in any way related to how some people don't believe me when I say a think is "okay." They continue to act like there must be a problem. When to me, it is truly okay, FOR THEM... but they distrust me because they know I would not accept the grace for myself. I've been thinking along that circular path quite a bit recently and thinking that being that much more obvious about being kind to myself AND my clients makes a ton of sense!

I hope Covid has flown the coop for you and that you're feeling much better.

LOL Jeanne. Thanks!

Thanks, Denise.

Alicia, focusing on what you CAN do and rejoicing in that is huge. Living with chronic illness is not for the weak. I would go so far as to say that all of those folks you see tromping through "doing" things would struggle to "do" one day of your life. We can't compare with others. We can only enjoy what we can do. And I'm betting that as someone who lives in that world where doing is precious, you choose your energy usage wisely, and hopefully gain more joy and satisfaction from the done!

Oh, Christina! Hugs. Give yourself that grace. Take care of your body and your soul. Rest, let yourself heal, then dive in on Nano when you feel better.

I'm feeling this so bad this month. I wrote this post a couple of weeks ago - before I got slammed with COVID and missed the first week of NaNo. I'm questioning my life choices, that's for sure! But I've been doing a lot of thinking, specifically around:

Why do I love NaNo? What do I most want from it?

I love the camaraderie, I love the challenge. And I can join in with more joy after this post-COVID migraine lifts. I'm still going to hit my writing goals hard, but not while I can't see straight.

Probably after my kids stop reacting with fear when they see me and insisting "SIT DOWN BEFORE YOU FALL DOWN." Kids can be such worry warts! (falls over)

I will occasionally try something (podcast, library visit, book club), but it's for the experience, not as a continuing possibility UNLESS the requesting organization meets a lot of jumps, which they probably won't.

It is what it is, I can't change it, and I don't spend much time berating myself about it or worrying about what I can't do - I don't need to add to the stress of writing, the primary task I WANT to accomplish; that's for those who can and can benefit.

It is freeing to know where you are on the scale of things, if also endlessly frustrating (because other people who can do them are reaping the benefits, it seems). I try to float somewhere between 'NEVER' and 'Try something once in a while to test your limits.'

Meanwhile, I write when I can.