Found what you need? Stop looking

I’ve talked a lot about the fact I love to write on this blog. When I make time every day to write, and edit some of my existing work, I feel more like myself. Yet, it seems like I throw out my sensors to search for something else all too often. Exactly what I think I’m trying to to find I don’t know. I enjoy playing the guitar and writing music, I make sure I exercise enough to keep fit, I spend time with friends and family nurturing those good relationships, and I engage in regular prayer and conversation with God.

Maybe it’s time I figure out exactly what it is I think I need to find, or at least why I’m seeking to find it.

This world we live in is not an easy one to navigate. No one ever promised it would be. It can seem an impossible task to find the things that give us life and energy, among the plethora of ways we can choose to spend our time. Whatever we choose, there is merit in doing it with all our heart and to the best of our ability. For me, this means working hard in the job I find myself blessed with at the Stroke Foundation. At present this position allows me to be involved in offering support to those who’ve experienced a stroke and their families. I am a behind the scenes part of this, but an integral one. I feel comfortable and valued in this position, with all of its successes and challenges, and have no desire right now to seek out different paid work. Perhaps there’s something in that feeling for the stories and music I find myself working on, too? New ideas are great, but are not always where time is best spent.

Nearly every single day I feel a deep desire to write something. Most often this is weaving words into a story. When I am struggling with negative emotions the words often come to me in the form of poetry and music. I don’t always act upon this feeling, and actually write the words down. Instead I often slip into the act of seeking something else. Another game of football or ice hockey to watch, another calming YouTube video, or other ways to avoid doing the things I really want to do – writing and helpful physical activity included.

I am getting better at is to just keep starting. Abandoning my overthinking mindset and just doing the thing. I have found wonderfully rewarding ways to spend my time with where I am in my life at present, so it is up to me to spend the majority of my time doing them. I don’t need to find those other things to spend my time on, I need to spend my time writing.

The more I write, the closer I am to publishing a book. The more I write, the closer I get to releasing music. The more I write, the better I am at processing difficult emotions. What do I stand to lose?

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Are there times you get in your own way? How can you help yourself release self-imposed pressure and do the things you love?

Direct your perspective in productive directions when you can, and it will become easier each time you’re faced with a new obstacle.

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Cover photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.