Stress and writing

Photo by SEO Galaxy on Unsplash

 How does stress affect you as a writer? For me, I find it hard to write. At the moment I have things going on and I feel like I'm on hamster wheel and can't get off. I'd hoped this year would be better in this respect, but it seems to be a continuation of last year. There is so much to be done and at times I feel overwhelmed by everything. I've found it very hard to write anything new, or indeed to concentrate on editing existing work. I know I overreact, but knowing that doesn't help. It is my nature to feel anxious, especially about things I have no control over. So, what, if anything, works?

For me, switching off usually involves reading or listening to music. They are my go-to stress busters, yet the problems linger in the background. Walking, getting away for a day somewhere also helps, but that isn't always possible. Being with friends who make me laugh is a great help too. Where would I be without those great friends of mine?

 Stress interrupts sleep. I either can't get to sleep, or wake too early and can't get back to sleep. Sometimes both! Lack of sleep then adds to the problem. I get snappy with people, and I feel cold all the time. I can't concentrate and can't settle to anything for long.

Today, I have fallen back on my trusty herbal tablets. These should help me feel calmer and hopefully able to sort out the things I need to do without getting into a state. When anxious, my decision making isn't as good and/or I make mistakes. It's time to take action.

I wonder how others deal with stress and/or depression when writing. I think some write through it, but I find if I do write at these times it reflects how I feel, so angry words, dark subjects, and I usually have to scrap what I've written, or at least tone it down! It's probably more about me than anything else, and I wouldn't want anyone to read it. Another way is to just write my feelings down to try and exercise the ghost, as it were. However, this can become self-indulgent and ends up making me feel more depressed! When the reading and music stop working, I know I'm in trouble.

It's not all doom and gloom. There are lights in the darkness. I've had two poems accepted for a new poetry print magazine (two poems from a set of four I submitted last year and was awaiting the outcome of). I'm thrilled about that. More news to come on that.

I have been trying to edit a short manuscript; it feels like an uphill struggle. It needs to be gone through again before I let anyone see it. It doesn't help that the subject matter of the piece is a little depressing and contains very little humour, which is unusual for me. I have even considered abandoning it, but I don't think I'm in the right mindset to make that decision right now. So, I'm leaving it for a bit.

Submitting poetry and short fiction is something I wanted to get back to this year, and I have managed to submit to two places this month so far. At the moment I don't have any particular goals. Last year was a great year for my writing, but I can't keep that up. I feel a bit wiped out, so I am not rushing into anything at the moment. I've had the opportunity to sign up for courses, but again, I'm not ready to tackle them. My personal life is commanding so much of my attention right now I cannot commit to much else. So, I am doing bits and pieces when I can with no big projects to aim for yet. Sometimes you just have to look after yourself.

I have another nice photo to share with you from my launch night for Tinsel Street. This was taken with my friend Ioana, who took her play to the Edinburgh Fringe last year. If you would like to find out more about her work, you can find her on Instagram @joan-of-all-trades.

If you have comments about how you deal with stress as a writer or anything else, do leave a message. See you next time.