Motivating Eeyore
You know writing’s not going well when you say to yourself, “Just write one good sentence today. That’s all you have to do. Write one good sentence.”
Yeah, well. All those posts the past week? I wrote before New Year’s. Glenn left New Year’s Day. I’ve been a regular old Eeyore since then. Worse: Eeyore with a sore throat and a cold.
I’m in a numbers group that sorta is in fizzle stage from the holidays (I’m sure we’ll get back to it), where we “just” have to write 100 words a day. That helps.
But on really bad days, I get down to, “Just open the document. That’s all you have to do. You don’t even have to read it. Just open it.”
I’ve started thinking about my New Year’s resolutions, but no doing. Well, I just looked up and realized my camper is clean and I have my candles set out. I always resolve to think about my New Year’s resolutions, but not stress about getting to the “doing” part for awhile.
And lo and behold, I just realized I’ve gone and started them. I’ve added visualization and meditation already to my daily routine. Huh. I’ve exercised a few more times than normal.
I didn’t even notice.
That’s the magic of “just.” If I “just” start, sometimes I surprise myself and do a whole lot more. Even if I’m slow and mopey.
How do you motivate yourself when Eeyore has taken possession of your enthusiasm?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats. She is currently enjoying the lizards and desert heat in Arizona.
I do a similar thing that you do–I point myself in the right direction–instead of ‘cleaning the whole house’ I just make rooms neater than I found them. I’m moving in the general direction of cleanliness, even if I never reach it.
I’ve been exercising, and thinking about my writing. That’s a good start on the resolutions.
A great start, Heather!
It does help. I need to do more of it.
I’m majorly stuck on my current project because I’m at the equivalent of the end at the original story. I know where I want to get to but the how is giving me a world of grief.
So.
I’m redoing a short story for a contest using my new Dragon software. I figure by the time I’m finished with it over the weekend, I’ll have enough gumption (moldy oldy word) to actually start doing this type of writing:
Brain to voice to computer, as opposed to brain to fingers to computer.
We hope.
Endings are so hard! And your adventures with the Dragon software fascinate me. I could never do it, as me and speaking don’t get along. I write because, evidently, only my fingers can make coherent sentences, LOL.
This one especially, since I’m using the old story as an outline for the new one.
I know exactly what I want and how I want to get there. Putting it into action is the problem.
As for Dragon, man, I am gonna be writing a somewhat scathing post about it that will be published on Jan 17th.
I’m determined. Forcing myself to write, though I have a migraine. Anything else–cleaning, exercising, eating better–not today. Today I just need to write, wash 3 loads of clothes, and make myself something to eat. (Hubby’s eating leftovers.) I think a grilled cheese for me. Comfort food.
Oh man, nice. I need to get stuff done, get out of this Ms. Mope phase. I’m determined to get 1,000 words today, at least.
Cheese is the ultimate comfort food!
“That’s the magic of “just.” If I “just” start, sometimes I surprise myself and do a whole lot more.”
You’re right. It’s true and I had forgotten that it often works when things seem insurmountable.
Thank you, Girl!
I only wrote it to remind myself. Now I need to take my advice, Bernita! Sometimes the silliest things seem insurmountable. Like last night, I was overwhelmed by having to go outside, turn on the water, come back in, scoop the litter, and take out the trash. And then do dishes.
Sheesh, they’re just regular chores. I didn’t get much justing done. But today is a new day!
I go back and start at the beginning. Reread everything and probably spend more time editing then writing but at least its something.
I’m struggling now too. Do you think it’s a January thing?
I find so much in the beginning!
Yeah. January. And for me, Glenn just left for four months. I’m in a funk.
I’m in a funk, too. My shiny new idea seems to be in one also. It could be the weather – no sunshine and lots of snow. But, I’m not letting it win, not this time. Yesterday I wrote a new poem, worked on two others and then created a poetry file (as if I needed something new to ignore, lol). Maye I didn’t work on SNI, but at least I flexed my pen.
I do wish I could be more like Edie and just force myself, but my muse is stubborn. Pushing just makes her obstinate, the bitch…
Kath, I’m in the same boat! Even my shiny new idea is dull and unappealing. But just one sentence…
I think poets are gods.
I’ve said a lot of times in my life, just one good paragraph. Just one.
I tried “just one good word” this morning. Got a whole paragraph out of it! I’ll try for a sentence this afternoon, and a paragraph this evening.
A hard day of work, let me tell you.
Frankly, Eeyore is my favorite of all the “pooh” characters. That said, I totally hear you with the “just” idea, and it works for me as well.
I’ve also begun making more lists. It’s particularly satisfying when you can scratch something off the list, even something small.
Me too, Elizabeth! I love Eeyore. And you know what? In the last few years, they’ve made him into a SMILING character. Like, when I did a picture search? Most of his pictures were HAPPY ones.
That’s so wrong! You can’t change Eeyore!
“I always resolve to think about my New Year’s resolutions, but not stress about getting to the “doing” part for awhile.”
Oh, I LOVE this! Going by that, I’ve saved myself a lot of stress in the past 40+ years.
LOL, Kate! I just learned that technique a couple years ago. It helps me, for sure!
I was just thinking about our group and wondering what’s going on with everyone. I really need to start writing again…
I know, we need to touch base again! My bad. I keep telling myself: tomorrow! No, I’ll do it now.
I have one important piece of advice to keep you working – don’t start watching Supernatural. Deadwood, either.
ROFL, Robin! Aw man, and I’m looking for a new show. Supernatural seems to be calling me…
Awww, Eeyore.
Great job on getting started. I’ve made progress with my fitness/diet goal, but I haven’t been writing.
Bad Jill! I have a mountain of grading to finish before I can really give my WiP the love and attention it needs, though.
Jill, that’s great! The fitness thing! Whenever I get on a fitness kick, my writing falters. It’s like I can only handle one big goal at a time. I don’t know why!
You know, every New Year I think, “This is going to be a great year”. Just the newness and fresh slate thing gets me optimistic. Not this year. I keep trying, but can’t get there yet… don’t know why that is exactly, maybe Eeyore’s invaded my brain.
On the bright side, I’ve greeted each new year that sucked with optimism… so maybe greeting this one less enthusiastically will make it a good one
I was there, Merry, but then Eeyore showed up.
But I like your theory. Maybe that will work for me, too!