Do you ever feel the need to jump start your writing? What drains the energy from your “writing mind”? What do you do when your creative battery dies?
Firstly, a personal bit about me. It has been sometime I have talked about myself here. I have not even visited my dear blogger friends. Most of you have not let that deter you and visit me regularly. I must thank you for sticking to me. There has been a lot of changes in the past three months. As you know I changed my residence from one part of the Delhi to another. And last week I got transferred to a school near my new home. Although I had applied for it, somehow I feel saddened. I had been there in my old school for 11 years. A long time. I made lasting friendships with a few. And I loved each corner. Not to forget my students. I am getting withdrawal symptoms. I know I will adjust. I will like it just as much. Changes are always for the better. But...
So what is new? I am still the same old Gautami waiting to be renewed...Yes, you heard that right...renewed. Inevitable I think of that word, when there are so much of rains here. Rains renew the earth, embracing it. So what am I waiting for? Hell, I don't need to tell you about my personal life more than I have. Let me remain the elusive woman you have always known me as.
Coming back to the question on top, when I am stressed out in all fronts, like I am now, , my writing energy becomes low. I can't find any kind of order anywhere. My mind feels pulled into all directions. How do I deal with it? I sleep it off. Yes. Reading does not help that unrest state of being. I find sleep is the best antidote. It refreshes me. Although sometimes it might take a bit longer. It might appear inappropriate for some. However, that is my only shortcut from stress and into more writing. Does it make sense?!
I know what you mean about going to another school. I've only been in one, but it would kill me to go to another. I'm too attached to those kids! I have each for 5 years - I start thinking of them as my own kids.
ReplyDeletehope all goes well.
Another teacher. Me too. I also switched from a school that I had been in for twelve years. I now work in three different schools and teach Technology/computers. Change is good. Essential. Good luck with the new start. It keeps you fresh.
ReplyDeleteYour not as elusive as you may think!
ReplyDeleteDear sistah,
ReplyDeleteI wish you all the best in your renewal. I believe that moving and resting are the same things and that renewal blooms when least expected.
Rose
xo
I can totally understand how you feel. I am fighting not to let my own fount of poetry dry up.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes with everything going on for you.
-Nicole
I think I have some idea how you feel and empathize with your need for renewal. I have spent less time at my blog than usual, following my mother's move into residential care, which has left me feeling sad and emotionally exhausted. She has been living with me for almost 10 years. Yes, sleep is probably the best thing that you can do.
ReplyDeleteRenewal is always distracting, I think. I've moved jobs and homes so often I've got used to it. And after such a time I find it difficult to write.
ReplyDeleteSo I let life wash over me, just take notes, experience, observe. And when it's ready, that old muse moves back into the mind. And it has such a lot of new experience to let pour.
Renewal is a perfect word to describe your situation. With time you will start feeling it, even thought the feeling is foreign to you now.
ReplyDeletechange is difficult. I have been living in a state of flux for the past year and just wish it to be over
ReplyDeleteChanging jobs, divorces and moving are the three worst influences on one's wellbeing. It seems you have had two of them, so not surprising you feel fleeced! But writing is such an idiosynchratic activity anyway: what you are writing about or should be writing about does not fit the mood you're in on the day, half the time. Or does that sound too complicated? Anyway, good luck in your move and your new school, I wish you all the best!
ReplyDeleteHi Tami,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about the stress that comes with so many changes. I loved hearing you in this post because you are elusive. I think we're growing on you. ;) XXOO
Gautami, you have had a stressful time lately. The relationships we form with our co-workers and students are special, and it's hard to leave them behind. Stress like that is one of the biggest drains on my creative energy.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you can sleep - it means your mind is renewing itself while you rest, and one day soon will burst into bloom with all sorts of ideas.
Just want to say hello!
ReplyDeleteAnd give yourself time to re-orient. I suspect the writing will suddenly pour forth - and when it does, it won't matter what kind of writing it is, only that you are, at last, writing!
maybe you just need a break, but hey you're still writing so that's something
ReplyDeleteI look for renewal and inspiration in places like your blog. Thank you for that! Illusive is good...:)
ReplyDeleteb
What major changes for you! That does require a lot of your energy. No doubt you will soon feel energized in your new surroundings. :)
ReplyDeleteHi gautami,
ReplyDeleteWish you luck and hope you settle down and get back soon :)
Hello, Gautami,
ReplyDeleteWe have been under a lot of stress recently and it's very challenging to put thoughts down coherently when being pulled in many different directions. In our case, it is a child (albeit a young adult) with a cancer diagnosis and surgery. Prognosis good, but still stressful. Even sleep, which like you, usually works for me, is restless. But it does get better, I think. I hope you will find all the peace you need to settle back into writing soon enough and find that you made the right move with your school. Change IS stressful, but sometimes, after we settle in, it is very good.
I've been teaching at the same school for 10 years and my husband at that same school for 11! It was great to read your words saying 'Change is always good' - we have considered it...as for sleep...its how I deal with everything - depression, stress, sickness and reading well that just sets up my sleep for open portals and escape.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing more about you - my 3WW is called Growing an Ocean's Tail
http://amarettogirl.squarespace.com/the-written-word/
It's been the same with me. I haven't had the energy or devotion to writing that I had for a long time, and I would say that all stems from personal things too. Hopefully I'll snap out of it one of these days. :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck at your new school. Switching jobs is never easy, even when it is something you wanted.
this makes perfect sense to me. and everybody needs a break from 'things' now and again.
ReplyDeletei think i've reached a stage where i can't continue to produce art on a daily basis and perhaps should take a longer break... but i miss the thrill of blogging if i'm away too long... oh well :)
Rest is the best tool "to sharpen the axe" in readiness for the next stage of our journey.
ReplyDeleteI saw the comment on my blog today regarding "he was...". Someone else said this was a "read aloud" poem. Thank you for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteGood to have you back.
b
why does everything you say mirror whta i feel? change...i crave it yet i get disturbed by it...
ReplyDeletegood luck...and keep smiling...