A few months ago I started journaling every night in a little book called Calm the Chaos, by Niccola Ries Taggert. It has little prompts for each day that help you focus on the positive things. “Did I get enough Sleep? How Much?” “Did I do something fun/pleasurable-just for me?” It also asks how you’ve helped someone, and what you’re grateful for. The second page gives three prompts to help you focus on tomorrow. They vary from day to day. “I want to feel…” “A courageous conversation I need to have…”
In two months, the practice of writing down a few positive things about my day has done wonders for my self esteem.
I used to go to bed at night focusing on my incomplete to-do lists. You know where that got me. It sent me to the halls of worry and fidget where real sleep is patchy at best. It made me question my value and wonder what on earth I thought I was trying to accomplish. It seemed like I was never done. Never complete with anything—and oh how I wanted to cross the finish line.
But what finish line was drawn, by whom, and where in gods name was it? I sure as hell couldn’t find it.
Finding and acknowledging the positive little things that I accomplished each day has changed my life.
Let me share what I’ve accomplished this week with you.
I sent a complete manuscript to three agents who requested it.
I edited 17 chapters of the manuscript that I’m publishing this year.
I added articles that I’ve written to my website and edited the website.
I edited the Blackbird Writers website
I helped a friend simplify her life.
I reached out to more than a thirty authors and friends.
I spoke with my granddaughter 4 times.
I shared a romantic meal with my husband.
I took care of myself in healthy ways.
Everything in that list has to do with following the creative muse. Because each item is a step toward something bigger. Did I reach my big goal for the year? No. (More on that later.) Am I working toward it in small, dribs and drabs? Yes.
This week I bought 3 more Calm the Chaos journals.
Like yoga, being human is a practice. I plan to continue the practice, to get better at being human, so I can feel good about chasing my muse wherever it leads me. Bemoaning the things that didn’t get accomplished is that exercise in futility. It made me hyper tense and frustrated. It made me think I’m crazy. Now that I’m developing the habit of taking a tally of all the creative work I’ve done, I’m more at peace with myself. By focusing on the positive, I feel less like a mouse in a hamster wheel.
Thanks for letting me share my process with you.
What creative work have you accomplished this week? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
I love everything about this post. It resonates with me. I appreciate your authenticity and vulnerability and deep appreciation of gratitude.