if you can read, I’ve found Oliver Burkeman really helpful about the pressure to be productive, & how & why it’s never possible to get on top of things… 🩵
Thank you for writing about this in such a clear and insightful way. It's something I experience too, and I hadn't thought about its relationship to childhood trauma (which, for me, also included periods in care). Unpredictable periods of burn out definitely complicate life as a working writer, with its constant deadline demands. The way I make sure of getting regular down time, since I don't have a Clive, is by having a dog. Getting out into the countryside with her is a necessary part of my daily routine and ensures I have breaks away from the desk. I'm still working on the tendency to take too much on for all the reasons you cite above.
Matt, thank you for taking the time to write this. I say this for two reasons; it has made me stop and think about my own balance and secondly, as a person who leads a mental health charity your honestly will I'm sure encourage others to be open too and perhaps reach out, or for someone to reach out to them. Speaking of which - you and I are due another hot chocolate...
This title caught my eye. I’m sorry you’re going through this Matt! I recognise “My vocation and advocation are so wrapped up into one that I don’t know the difference anymore.” I know this can be beautiful and harrowing. I’m glad you got your guitar, love it he has a name! No idea of my work resonates with you, but I thought you might like this free Self-Care Kit for Overwhelm… Take care! Eline
Just to say how much I've enjoyed keeping up with your writing Matt. You'll get through this and resume writing, because that's what writers do! You've done brilliantly. Keep on. Katyx
stay brave, Matt, you have so much to give..
if you can read, I’ve found Oliver Burkeman really helpful about the pressure to be productive, & how & why it’s never possible to get on top of things… 🩵
Thanks so much - don't worry I will. I'll definitely add this to my reading list!
Thank you for writing about this in such a clear and insightful way. It's something I experience too, and I hadn't thought about its relationship to childhood trauma (which, for me, also included periods in care). Unpredictable periods of burn out definitely complicate life as a working writer, with its constant deadline demands. The way I make sure of getting regular down time, since I don't have a Clive, is by having a dog. Getting out into the countryside with her is a necessary part of my daily routine and ensures I have breaks away from the desk. I'm still working on the tendency to take too much on for all the reasons you cite above.
Thanks for reading Terri. Honestly, it's not something I linked it to until I started writing this post.
Take care of yourself. I hope the emotional tank is filling up.
Thanks Jacqueline. It is!
Matt, thank you for taking the time to write this. I say this for two reasons; it has made me stop and think about my own balance and secondly, as a person who leads a mental health charity your honestly will I'm sure encourage others to be open too and perhaps reach out, or for someone to reach out to them. Speaking of which - you and I are due another hot chocolate...
Thanks Sarah. Yes we do! I'll send you an email.
This title caught my eye. I’m sorry you’re going through this Matt! I recognise “My vocation and advocation are so wrapped up into one that I don’t know the difference anymore.” I know this can be beautiful and harrowing. I’m glad you got your guitar, love it he has a name! No idea of my work resonates with you, but I thought you might like this free Self-Care Kit for Overwhelm… Take care! Eline
https://www.elinekieft.com/self-care-kit-for-overwhelm
Thanks so much for this Eline. I'll be trying out some of your strategies.
Ohhh thanks for letting me know Matt, and good luck!
Just to say how much I've enjoyed keeping up with your writing Matt. You'll get through this and resume writing, because that's what writers do! You've done brilliantly. Keep on. Katyx
Thanks so much for being so supportive! You're right I will keep writing because I don't know how to do much else
What Alex said. X
You have no idea how many times I said this as I child to her.
Love you Matt. Just breathe, just be Matt, and keep shining. X
Thanks Alex. You're always there no matter what.
Always will be. X