Do you ever think that if only your life were simpler, then you’d get more writing done?
Perhaps you’ll start your novel when you’re no longer having an existential crisis about the state of the world.
Maybe you want more stability and poise before you could even think of writing that non-fiction book even though you have tonnes of expertise.
But what if the state of your life, right now, is perfect for your writing?
Karma to mission
In my Buddhist practice we have a phrase called “karma to mission”. It means that a very challenging aspect of your life can become your greatest treasure. Eventually, not only will you be able to overcome it, but you can also use your experience to help others in a similar situation.
Years ago, this played out for me in my relationship status. I was single throughout my twenties and thirties. As my friends, one by one, paired off and settled down, and my biological clock started ticking loudly, I struggled with depression. I was still single! However, dealing with this sent me on a valuable personal development journey. Discovering that I had to be happy within myself before I could attract anyone decent to my life became the theme for my first novel.
I loved attending personal development seminars and I eventually trained as a coach, set up a coaching business and wrote a book called Don’t Give Up Your Day Job, to help others find a way to lead a fulfilling life and still pay the mortgage.
My Bridget Jones status changed just before I turned forty when I met my husband. We were forty-five when we eventually bought a house together and set up home. Even though I had yearned throughout my thirties for this version of domestic bliss, I often found it hard to make Graham a high enough priority and struggled to cede domestic decisions to him (because obviously I was right on all matters!)
I called this Relationship Karma 2.0 and again, it played into my novel writing. Having bagged the man of her dreams, in the sequel to Tales of the Countess, my main character struggles to reconcile her ambition with the needs of a relationship.
Challenge can make your writing more efficient
Eight years ago, when my parents’ health took a turn for the worse, I had to spend a lot more time with them. Even though this ate into my writing time, I became more efficient with my creative efforts. I started writing for an hour before getting ready for work. Having prized myself out of bed at an ungodly hour, there was no way I was going to waste that time scrolling social media and indulging in general internet surfing.
I got straight on with the work, either writing a blog post or making progress with my novel edits. I loved those early morning sessions and was amazed at the creative ideas that I came up with.
Challenge will make you stronger
It is so easy to let life get in the way of writing. Your inner gremlin will easily give you an excuse as to why you can’t write at the moment, or you shouldn’t publish your book or that there is too much chaos for you to be taken seriously.
Challenges make us stronger. They are perfect fodder for writing. Not all writing has to be public. I journal a few times a week and this writing helps me to process what is going on and to make decisions.
We all have the power, when necessary, to muster up incredible levels of courage and resilience. Let your writing be part of this.
Plodding gently
Cali x
P.S. Please share this article if you found it useful. It might be just the nudge that another writer needs. Thank you.
Hi Cali, Point well taken. Everything has to be in order for it to me ok for my to write. Maybe not!!!