New Writing Prompt #3

What do you do, even when you don’t feel like doing it?

When working any job, there comes a moment in the work week when you don’t want to work anymore. The reasons for not wanting to work anymore might be distractions like a big decision, loud neighbors, at home, and in the cubicle, not enough sleep, laziness, a case of grumpies, or simply the lack of motivation to do anything.

Sometimes, I don’t feel like writing, but I do my best to start at the best place in my head, the idea pool! I have a million ideas floating around in my brain, so pulling an idea, stretching it, and creating a coherent work should be easy. However, the words and ideas don't flow as they normally do. It takes longer for the creative juices to work their way into my fingertips.

Truthfully, I want to write every day. I want to share my opinions, knowledge, and faith with people around the world. The trouble is trying to organize the millions of thoughts on the page without making the writing prompt I’m writing under look like a mess. Sometimes, the words come out nice, and other times they appear like they came out of a blender. These times are when I need to focus on the task at hand, edit more, and do my best to stay on track.

I like it when my work is organized, but sometimes, you do need to let your freak flag fly and allow your writing or other form of work to swerve around a bit (unless your job is driving; hands on the wheel and focus!). Readers may find your style dull if every post is edited, clipped, and tailored to perfection. I say that those days when writing doesn’t come easy are the days to write whatever you want, even if it isn’t perfect. You don’t need to worry about punctuation, grammar, and sentence structure; have fun with a new writing prompt or story starter.

Most of the time, like this post, if you focus on a completely new prompt that you haven't looked at before, new creative sparks can give way to new energy in your writing. Days come when I don’t want to write, but I do it anyway to hone my craft, grow my arsenal of posts on Vocal, and write creatively every day.

Another chore that I do even though I don’t want to do it is laundry. The dreaded laundry basket that sits by the side of the bed is always overflowing and desperately needs to be done. I don’t know why laundry seems like a drag these days. The People of the Past didn’t have washers and dryers to clean their clothes with. They used a bucket of soapy water (natural cleaners), the river, or a rock to wash off the filth. All we have to do is throw it in, measure our soaps, push a few buttons, and voilà, we’re done for the next hour and a half.

In 2024, laundry is easier because we have electricity to run our machines. Sometimes, doing laundry is like taming a wild beast, but we do the thing and feel better when it’s done. The same goes for other chores like washing dishes, vacuuming the floors, cleaning the bathrooms, and other household maintenance that needs to be done.

The best advice for you is to do the task you need to do, even if you don’t want to do it. Completing one or more tasks off your to-do list will hopefully encourage you to keep tackling them. It makes me happy to streak my pen over a finished task. DO THE THING! I tell myself that I don’t have to finish everything, but I do need to make the effort to work on projects as much as possible.

My final piece of advice is the opposite and the same as what I’ve been writing about. Having the energy to do the tasks and completing those tasks are important, but there are days when we can’t find the will to do anything. It is okay to take a self-care day every once in a while. We can put away the keyboard, the pen, the calculator, or whatever tool we use for work, and have some fun! Go hang out with your family or friends, and play a board game! Go out to eat; find something to celebrate! Writing and other forms of work are important, however, taking the time to let your creative juices rejuvenate is also important.

Work until you can’t and then rest until you can!