You’re probably thinking, ugh, not another COVID-19 post. 🙂 I wanted to post about something else – I really did. But, nothing came to me and that’s been indicative of writing life during quarantine.
For the first few weeks, I was working constantly. My day job is a communications person for a university and, as you can probably imagine, I was pretty darn busy. The days flew by while I operated in crisis communications mode. I was so anxious and stressed that all I could do was watch true crime shows, watch videos on TikTok (this app has been so helpful during quarantine) and do jigsaw puzzles.
Write? HA! Keep revising my debut cozy that I had planned to launch in the fall? Yeah right. Start drafting something new? Keep dreaming.
You know what? That’s okay.
We don’t need to be productive. We just need to survive a pandemic, you know?
I see so many social media posts about people beating themselves up for not accomplishing a million things during quarantine. But that’s not what we have to do. If that helps you manage your stress and anxiety, awesome! Or if trying to do a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle every few days helps? Do that!
Once the crisis slowed down on the work front, I was able to redirect some of my attention. I didn’t choose my books – that still wasn’t there. I’ve been working hard on finishing my master’s thesis (I should be done next month!) so I can cross that off my worry list.
I’m starting to look forward to writing again after 6+ weeks of quarantine. I’m holding off until I finish my thesis so I can pour my whole focus into revisions.
Will I still launch my debut in the fall? That’s doubtful but that’s also okay.
I’ve managed to get through the first couple of months of a global pandemic and that’s freaking awesome.
You have too and that’s freaking awesome. You’re freaking awesome.
How have you been coping with stress? I hope you’re doing well!
Ladies of Mystery 
Working at your job AND working on your thesis? You’re impressively productive. When I was working full time and going to grad school, I had not even thought about writing fiction.
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Loved this! I actually have to try to be productive (deadline on a book, doncha know) but you’ve given me a fresh eye on just how productive I need to be. And to be more forgiving of me, myself and I. Thanks a lot for this!
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Good post. This is a good time for people to learn how to enjoy time, being with family and staying in touch with friends and trying out new things. We put so much pressure on ourselves that now we should take advantage of the opportunity to try a different way to live.
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Some days are better than others. Looking forward to it being over. I’m productive in some ways, certainly not in the cleaning ways. Great post!
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Thank you for sharing! I have worked from home for many years now, so the pandemic really has not done that much to rearrange my life. What I am starting to see is that the new normal will be very different from what we considered “normal” two months ago. Trite as this may sound – just reopen the darn nail salons!
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And HAIR salons – I look like a shaggy dog!
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That was a cool post. Thank you. I’ve thought of all the books to read, and writing to do too, but I just couldn’t do it. Thanks for the validation. And the compliment. Instead of writing/reading, (and trying to keep Hubby from parking in front of the TV all day), we have been making wood kid’s games. (ten so far) Simple ones (from scrap lumber from other jobs), each played either alone or with a few others. Some easy, some challenging. It’s been fun, and the kids we’ve given them to have been so crazy happy.
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It’s nice to see a “positive” post about the times we are in. I agree. Everyone processes and takes change differently. Some will hunker down and write a lot others have trouble focusing as with everything we are all different and that’s okay. Thank you for this post!
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