10. T.V.
Judge shows, Scandal, Shark Week, an SVU marathon, who could write with hip-hop ab infomercials and paternity test being read left and right!!! I hate to admit it but unless I am truly inspired I CAN NOT work while watching T.V.
9. Food
I love to snack. Writing while snacking never works for me because snacking generally leads to more snacking, which leads to watching T.V. (which also distracts me from writing)
8. Cell Phone
Rather someone is calling, texting, emailing, tweeting it all manifests through my phone... which has mysteriously become an appendage (I'm sure it's a government conspiracy) and I obediently make myself redly available to the world, all day, everyday...and God forbid I cut my tracking device off, or don't answer it, or say the battery dies...it is as if catastrophic events are scheduled to transpire if people can't contact me for a day or two (pardon my venting)
7. Significant Other
I am quite sure that being in a relationship with a writer, or any artist for that matter, can be frustrating and confusing. Normal people don't stop mid-conversation to search for a writing utensil (even a crayon will do) and paper (a receipt, paper bag, envelope...anything really) so that they can write down the poem that has been harassing their brain all day, and then return to the conversation like nothing ever happened! Being a writer and being in a relationship I have to make sure that I am not being selfish with my time. Writing can consume me if I let it so I make a conscious effort not to neglect my partner...or my writing...
6. Anxiety
I am aware of my anxiety.
I work my way through my anxiety.
But working through my anxiety takes physical, mental and spiritual energy which sometimes leaves me too exhausted to write. Writing helps but sometimes my anxiety creates an almost electric energy that keeps me bouncing off the walls, mind and body. During these times it is like I can't shut the words in my head off, they just keep coming and it is so overwhelming that I can't grasp one word, thought or idea to help me stay afloat. That is why I named my first book "Drowning in my own spit", because sometimes it feels like I am really drowning in my words and thoughts.
5. Illness
4. Sleep
I wake up before the sun most mornings and I am constantly moving ALL DAY LONG, so when I do get a second to sit still I usually fall asleep, sometimes I plan it...sometimes it just happens! Sleep has become such a precious commodity to me at this point in my life. I was always a night owl but now I can't wait to cozy up, wether it is to sneak in a nap or get a full nights rest sleep has become my new muse!
3. Researching conspiracy theories and watching hood fight videos on YouTube
My guilty pleasures in life are conspiracy theories and ridiculous YouTube hood fight videos, there I admit it! I am sure that there is a conspiracy theory about YouTube being invented to keep us from being productive by providing an endless supply of whatever you want to see...*side note- I also look up how-to and DIY videos on YouTube about things that I never plan to do.
2. Books
Hello, my name is Amber and I am a bibliophile...every since I was a little girl I have loved books. The smell of the pages, the sound of the pages turning, the weight and texture of the paper, an most of all the worlds that exist between the covers have kept me captivated for years. Books have always played an important role in my life, to the point where if I start a book and set it down for too long I start to feel guilty for neglecting it. When I start reading I tune out everything like i'm in a trance or an alternate universe...lol...so it is often times the case that I cheat on my pen with my books.
1. Kids
My children are my world, the reason why I exist, my everything...including my fail proof scape goats! Everyday there are between 5-11 children ages 1-12 at my house requiring my attention in some sort of capacity. I personally gave birth to 5 children, my S.O. has 1 child, and I help my sister with her 6 children so that she can work. I homeschool 4 children and cook dinner every night, and just doing those two tasks can be a feat! Not to mention laundry, diaper changing, potty training, dealing with puberty...time for writing, hell I barely have time to breathe!!! But one thing that I promised myself as a naive, pregnant 19 year old was that I would never let being a mother be a burden. I never want my children to think that you have to sacrifice your gifts in order to be an active parent, you just have to be organized, driven and full of faith in the fact that you were built for this!
Hopefully making this list will help me to focus my energy and remain conscious of my distractions and take the steps needed keep my distractions and my productivity balanced. (and if not oh well at least I tried)
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