Acclimation
Getting used to my new life is difficult. I still have all the old guilt. Because, with two jobs, I used to work from the time I got up until the time I went to bed, I feel guilty when I don’t work all day long.
When I used to work two jobs, I used to have 4-hour nights a majority of the time. Lately, I’ve been sleeping a full nine hours. Also makes me feel guilty.
I am struggling to overcome this.
In the meantime, I am enjoying the fact that when my niece wants to pop by my camper and spend the afternoon, I can do it. I can spend a couple hours with her, and still get my work done later. I can take a walk with my best friend during her dinner break. I have time to babysit my niece for an evening.
I am also enjoying the fact that I have time to make dinner. Before, the maximum time I could spend on dinner or lunch or breakfast was about five minutes of preparation, and I had to eat it while working.
At the end of the day, I have time to sit by the campfire and just look at the flames. And do nothing.
I am still reading a book a day. You can friend me on Goodreads, or just check out the little widget to the right: it lists all my latest reads, in descending order. I’ll put up a list of what I want to read in a bit, but I’m starting to worry: this could be expensive! I might have to end up just reading whatever I come across. We’ll see!
So how is your life going? Do you have the time to spend with friends or family when they call? How’s the writing?
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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.
Natasha, you are finally leading the perfect life for you. I always take time to spend with friends or family. My husband is the one who gets in the way with all his three-day weekends. But I set myself a goal of 10K words a week, and so far I’ve met it. I know there are people who write that much in a day or two, but I’m not one of them.
Edie, I’m embarrassed, because I’d totally forgotten it was possible to be so happy every single day.
I need to set myself a weekly goal, and refuse to be guilty for not writing more!
Even if I feel like I don’t have the time when friends or family call or stop by I always make the time because they are truly the most important people in my life!
So, my writing is almost non-existent lately because of the important people in my life. But I am working on a schedule since my littlest guy starts school on Monday and will be there for 3 whole hours everyday and the are several bookstores/coffee shops/Panera Bread’s within 5 mintues of school
…I’m just a little excited!!!
On a side note, a little birdies named Melanie told me I’ll get to meet you next Wednesday at her “AW” dinner. I guess you and I will be the only non-AWer’s there.
YES! I can’t wait to meet you, Jenna! And Melanie, too! I’m really excited. I get to meet Mark Terry and his sons, too.
I’m excited to meet the AWers, too!
3 hours of writing every morning in a bookstore/coffee shop/Panera’s sounds awesome!
A book a day sounds like fun but I could never do it, Well, do children’s picture books count? Actually when I was talking about books I’d reread I forgot all the Dr Seuss I read myself and then read to my kids. Not to mention books like Good Night Moon which I read to the ids over and over.
LOL, Eric, I was looking at Dr. Seuss books and thinking the same thing myself!
I don’t watch TV, don’t have kids, and the only job I have, currently, is writing. So the book a day thing is a challenge, but doable. 
I’d take kids instead, though, if I could!
A book a day! I’m envious. I’m back at work myseld and reading less. I’m glad you’re getting some time to sit back a bit, though. Such is needed.
Charles, I love it! I feel like I can read books now, whereas before, I wanted to read so many, that I’d start a million and just sit and mourn that I couldn’t finish them all!
Natasha, I’m sure it will take a while for the guilt to subside. When I quit my job it took me a long time to get used to not going to an office every day, but now I couldn’t imagine going back. Granted, I do need to WORK, but still,
I can’t wait to meet you, and I’m excited for you & Jenna to meet, too!
Totally, Melanie! It’s taking a while for me to adjust, but it’s a new lifestyle, and a better way (for me, at least) to live.
Yay! Only one more week!
Don’t feel guilty! Enjoy every delicious moment! You deserve this!
I need to say that to myself five times an hour!
I can’t wait to hear how your visit goes! How fun! Next visit, I’m so there! (If you want me. Notice how I just plopped in there.)
You’ve worked your butt off for a long time. I’d say you’ve earned a break. Be nice to yourself! Plus, you’ve learned how to live on a shoestring budget, so you really don’t need to work as much.
Oh yes! Can you come? YOu should come, Robin! It’s just a meeting of writers, and I’m sure she’d love to have you come, too! Say you’ll come!
Problem is, my income is now a shoestring, too, so I need to work faster than I am.
I struggle with guilt when I don’t work 7 days a week and eight hours a day. I have a hard time relaxing. So I understand where you are coming from. ENJOY your time.
E
Me too, Erica, me too! I’m just so used to getting up, writing, dealing with studio stuff while eating a late lunch, then teaching piano until 9, eating a late dinner, and going to bed. When I make a meal, I have to tell myself over and over, “It’s okay. You have TIME to do this now. You still will get your writing done for the day.”
And then a voice says that if I have time, shouldn’t I be writing more? Grrr!!!