Hi guys!
How’s it going? Hope you are all well ๐
Unlike what the title of this post suggests, I am not actually going back to school. I wish I was, but I’m not.
Today’s the first day of classes for my brother’s university, which also happens to be the university I graduated from.
Today’s the day I set for myself to get out of the vacation mindset and to get back into a routine.
Not sure if I mentioned here yet or on my Facebook page, but I quit my grocery store job about a week ago, and since then, was lazing around the house, watching hours of Korean dramas (my guilty pleasure!), stalking people on Facebook, eating my weight in pies and cookies, and spending as much time as I can with my 2 month old nephew (<3). Obviously I got no writing done in this week-long vacation, despite promising myself that I was going to start writing full-time as soon as I quit my job.
As the week came to an end, I realised that this could not continue. For one, I was getting bored of the vacation. I’m so weird that whenever I get a chunk of time off in between stuff, I get bored of it very quickly, since I always need something to occupy me with, and am someone who thrives on schedules and lists.
And even though I’m not in school anymore, and don’t technically don’t have a job, I told myself toย finally make writing my full-time job. After being distracted and busy all year, while also simultaneously working on this particular story, I’ve been stuck at one place pretty much since April, which is when work for the convention I was volunteering for pretty much took over my life. And then was the actual convention. And then I went on vacation. After I came back, my nephew was bornย and I pretty forgot about writing and breathing and eating and everything else for some time. And then it was Ramadan, and then naturally Eid. And then I started getting 9 hour shifts at work EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. which made me into a cranky bear and resulted in not much blogging or baking or happiness. But now, I am free! (Wow, what a blog/life recap! Totally did not plan that -_-).
But now, I am going to focus completely and utterly on this work in progress (InshAllah or God willing). My goal is to complete the first draft by November, and am planning on writing 8 hours a day. Please don’t laugh at me >_<
Yes, it’s ambitious, but I’m going to try my hardest to actually maintain this goal, especially if I want to be a full-time writer. Instead of letting other people put me down about how writing is only a ‘hobby’, I’m going to treat my work seriously by giving it my full attention.
So what does this mean? This means no more Facebook. I deactivated my personal account sometime last week (don’t worry, the Facebook page for the blog is still there!), which means no more stalking people. Lol. I kid! Kinda…
This also means actually goingย out to write, as in outside of my house. I’m hoping putting in the actual effort of getting dressed, packing up my laptop, and making myself walk to the local library will get me in a better mind frame. ๐
This also means less entries on the blog, sadly. Over the summer, I’ve been blogging a lot, especially since it was the only writing I was doing, while being grouchy after coming home from work, and so I really increased my blog posts per week. (You’re welcome, by the way. Lol.) But in order to completely focus on my actual writing, I’m going to have to cut down the amount of posts I do. Don’t worry, I won’t disappear completely, but I’ll only post about twice or three times a week. And I’m hoping to actually post more about writing and actual writing snippets, which is what I intended this blog to be, before it became overrun with recipes.
Hmm, what else happened today?
Oh yeah, I went back to my efforts of losing weight. From January to about May, I was on a very strict mission diet. I managed to lose 25 pounds, but then in my success (and probably my tiredness), the diet sort of went downhill and I kind of started devouring everything again. Feel free to refer to my excess of cookie recipes on the blog over the past few months as proof of this -_- Then I was going on vacation, so naturally I wanted to enjoy myself, so I kept eating everything in sight. And then it was Ramadan; I was already not eating all day, and it seemed like a SIN to make myself eat healthy at the end of such a long fast.
With everything said and done, I’ve been cheating for far too long, and so it’s time to get back on track! And what better day to start than today, the day I deemed as my ‘back to school/routine’ day? ๐
Anyway, today’s only the first day my new routine, so we’ll see how it goes. Not sure why this post seems like a lot like a diary-entry, but there you have it. ๐
Hope you all had a fabulous day and enjoy your week!
And now I’ll leave you with this video, for no reason other than the fact that this song is super catchy:
Thanks for reading ๐
Ikhlas
I really admire your determination to dedicate so much time to your writing! I’m finding it hard enough as it is to motivate myself each day to simply do homework for my final course and write cover letters! Getting out of the house definitely helps though! I plan on doing just that this afternoon to help motivate myself better! Good luck ๐
Yeah, it’s definitely not easy! Getting out of the house in order to get into a different mindset definitely helps.
Good luck! ๐
First let me tell you this; I Love Your Blog. I Love everything about it (unfortunately I’m one lousy cook ๐ ) finding your blog was the serendipity of 2012 to me ๐ and something else; I’m also writing a novel in the Victorian Era, my FIRST novel (well my 1st serious one that is), I’m working hard to finish it this year for good, considering that I started writing it end 2009!! and yes, your posts here were one of my inspirations to do the hard work. I simply want to thank you for the existence of this wonderful being, your blog I mean ๐
What can I say? I so much admire your strong well and determination. Funny I’m in a similar state in my life, so let me tell you this from experience; it’s hard at the beginning but by reminding yourself again and again of your final goal you will manage to accomplish it in the end.
I so agree with you on getting out of the house, as a matter of fact your inspiring enough…I intend to do that tomorrow morning insha’Allah. Always remember I cheer for you and support you so go for it girl, go get your dreams, you know you deserve it.
P.S can’t wait for your posts on writing, that will be something to look forward too.
so much Love ๐
You are WAY too sweet, Haneen! Reading your comment totally made my day, so thank you for that ๐
I know that feeling of working on a piece of writing for a long period of time, and struggling to complete it. Keep working at it, and try some different techniques to move past that pesky writer’s block! InshAllah, you’ll make it ๐
I wish you all the best with your work (especially that Victorian novel- so cool!), and thanks so much for your well wishes and for keeping up with this sad little blog!
Good luck & much love,
Ikhlas
Thank you for all the lovely comments you left on my blog =) I wish you all the best in becoming a full-time writer inshaa Allah. Here’s something I watch from time to time for motivation and inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikAb-NYkseI
Awwww thank you so much for your comment and the link! And no problem, your blog is honestly a treat to explore ๐