I Don’t Wanna Leave My Bed Today

Day 4/366 days of publishing articles in 2024.

I was drinking my coffee this morning, tired, lifeless, thinking about my long day and the song “Burritos” by Sublime came into my mind.

One line in particular,”I ain’t gettin, I ain’t gettin, I ain’t gettin out of bed today.”

I wish. I thought about the commitment I made. Publishing one article per day in 2024. I gotta get this out before my long day. Sigh.

The Search for Writing Prompts

I went to google to search for writing prompts for when you don't feel like writing. However, the link took me to an article on Medium, and upon reading it, I found myself disagreeing with the author's perspective. Inspiration for an article!

Disagreeing with the Author's Perspective

I don't want to criticize or bash the author, so I won't share the entire article here. But I will address the part I disagreed with. The author quoted famous individuals who had shared their thoughts on writer's block. One quote in particular caught my attention: "Writer's block is a phony, made up, BS excuse for not doing your work." - Jerry Seinfeld. While I can understand and support this sentiment, the author went on to suggest that writer's block is often a disguise for fear. While that may be true for some, it doesn't resonate with me personally.

Not Fear, but Exhaustion

In my case, it's not fear that hinders my writing today, but rather exhaustion. I have a long day ahead of me as a personal trainer, especially in January when the demand for my services is high. So this morning, as I sip my coffee, I find myself contemplating the nine clients I have scheduled and the long commute that awaits me. The weather is gloomy and cold, and while I generally enjoy my job and even my commute because I get to listen to books and music, today I'm just not feeling it. I want nothing more than to stay in my warm bed, wrapped in a cozy blanket. I wish I could indulge in copious amounts of coffee, take naps, and pursue my creative endeavors like painting and writing without the pressure of having to churn out an article before leaving for work. But I can't. I have to dive in and get it done.

The Demands of the Day

Done is better than perfect, as I often remind my clients. A subpar workout is still better than no workout at all. Perhaps this won't be my best article, but I'm doing it anyway. My lack of motivation to write has nothing to do with fear, and that's perfectly okay. It's simply a matter of energy. Today, I need to conserve my mental and physical bandwidth for the demands of the day. Some days are like that, while others are not.

Embracing Imperfection

When you commit to something, the most important thing to remember is that it's okay to do it imperfectly. It’s okay when conditions aren’t perfect. Sometimes those are the exact conditions for great work to be born from. Currently, I'm listening to "The Creative Act" by Rick Rubin during my commute. He discusses the process of creating something, starting with imperfections and then revising and revising until you achieve what seems like the perfect version. However, he points out that sometimes, upon reaching that supposed perfection, you realize that the imperfect version was actually perfect all along.

The Beauty of Imperfection

One thing I've learned is that I am exactly where I need to be. Tired and messy are acceptable. And my hope is that as you read this today, it serves as a reminder that simply showing up and doing the work is honorable in and of itself.

Showing Up and Doing the Work

And so, as you reach the end of this piece, I invite you to ponder the following: What if we embraced the messy, imperfect parts of ourselves and our creative endeavors? What if we allowed exhaustion and fatigue to coexist with our commitment to show up and do the work? What if we let go of the pressure to always achieve perfection and instead embraced the beauty of imperfection?

Embrace the Imperfect Conditions

In a world that often demands flawlessness, let us remember that it is in our tiredness, in our messiness, that we find our true authenticity. So, may you find solace in knowing that even on the days when you don't feel like writing, painting, or pursuing your passions, simply showing up and doing the work is a courageous and honorable act. Embrace the imperfections, for they may just be the key to unlocking your most genuine and powerful creative expressions.

If you found this piece interesting, please consider leaving a 💜 or even a tip. Your support means a lot to me as a writer! You can also read more of my work here. My goal is to publish one a day during 2024!