7 Survival Tips to Reduce Stress and Retain Your Sanity

Hi Everyone, Audra here. Happy Birthday, Seekerville! 7 years of fun could not be possible without all of YOU! So thank you, Seeker friends and villagers, for all your support and commradery!!!

Okay, back to our topic. As writers, we all know there's nothing we'd like better than to emerse ourselves in our stories and write from dawn to dusk ... or maybe from dusk to dawn, right? Either way, unless you're a self-made millionaire, this is probably not the way your life works. We all have family, work, church, volunteering, and/or many other demands that stretch us beyond possible. I thought I'd share some of the words of wisdom I've realized as survival skills that have taken me from stay-at-home-mom, to 8-5 day job (and often far beyond), and still pursue my true calling in life - writing romance with the essence of Jesus in the hearts of my characters.

Have a plan.

I hear you laughing. What? You don't think Audra Harders has a plan? LOL! I wish I could organize my time as well as Pam, or twist 3 days of work into 1 like Tina, or churn out books with the same ease as baking cookies like Ruthy, but alas, that’s not how I’m wired. BUT, I do have a plan. I write from 7:00pm to 9:00pm weekdays. That’s it. That’s my plan. If I write for more time than this, BONUS!! This is the same concept our tax accountant gave us the year we had to arrange for payments on the income tax we owed for my husband’s business – commit to the least amount for repayment, and when available, pay off more. Right? Write!

And along with this…

Be Flexible.

I’ve set aside 2 hours a night to write. My family is good with this. That doesn’t mean that stuff doesn’t happen, though. I used to worry I wasn’t a dedicated writer if I allowed things to interrupt my schedule. I’d fret and angst over trying to make up the time. What a waste! The number one rule to keeping your sanity while working your writing career is BE FLEXIBLE. If something gets in your way, deal with it, and then pick up your plotting, editing, writing or whatever and continue on. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Weight Watchers’ meetings, it’s if you fall off the wagon, you have to forgive yourself and pick up where you left off.  

Avoid distractions.

This is a toughie. Our world is all about email, text messaging and social media. Communication is the key to building relationships and creating structure for your writing support group. I understand the concept and truly enjoy the benefits and comradery, but you can’t let it get the better of you. Like I mentioned earlier, I only have two hours a day to dedicate to writing, and if I let email and social media have its way with me, I’ll not only lose my precious writing time, but find my final LOL of the night has eaten into my sleep time, too.

This particular survival tip speaks to your priorities. I know some folks can fit it all in and be perfectly productive. I’m not one of those people. I had to go cold turkey on social media and impose restrictions on my email in order to meet my writing goals. Take a look at your particular stress points and be honest with yourself – is too much social interaction keeping you from achieving your goals??

Feeding the Masses.

Don't let mealtime stress you out!! Creative license is allowed in this portion of your writing journey. Since I have a day job, the thought of spending my two hours of free time prepping food for dinner just doesn't excite me. I prefer to cook on weekends, but not everyone has that luxury. So, explore your options. Talk to the hungry souls involved. Delegate. This past summer my son was responsible for creating dinner for the family one day a week. He chose to bring home Taco Bell. No one complained : )

Explore the possibilities of slow-cooker recipes, make-ahead and freeze meals, 3-ingredient meals, etc. Google has become my best friend. I look in my refrigerator and see a head of cabbage. Hmmm, what can be done with this?? Google “cabbage” and it will toss a variety of suggestions at you like cabbage recipes. AllRecipes.com is my favorite. Check it out. How about Cabbage Jambalaya? I like this one (since I tend to have these ingredients on hand)

Remember, we're talking sustenance, not gourmet. Reward your family with a great meal on the weekend.

Walk.

Actually, it can be any kind of exercise, but the point is to get out and move. I tend toward Secretarial Spread. Walking a mile or two empowers me to think I have some control over the affliction, LOL!

I love walking the dog down our neighbor’s lane. She’s a rather stubborn Corgi and thinks she’s walking me when I have her on a leash. BUT, once we turn down Bob’s lane, I unhook the leash and start getting lost in the fresh air (knowing the dog will follow). Once I get the blood flowing and clear my mind, ideas begin to form and sometimes I find a whole different perspective on a plot point or conflict I hadn’t considered before. And it gives me an opportunity to hum and sing where no one will hear me : )

Embrace (or rediscover) hobbies.

I grew up sewing. Not clothing, but draperies. I was practically born with a needle in my chubby little fist since my family ran a drapery company. I loved the feel of fabric as I sewed, pressed and finished panels of window coverings. Since it was relatively mindless work, I had plenty of time to make up stories in my head as I sewed. I still sew, but now I concentrate on piecing together quilts rather than draperies. The feel of the fabric and creative exercise of coordinating colors and prints takes me away from plastic keyboards and illuminated computer screens and feeds my tactile creative side. 

Let me suggest something. When you’re stuck on a scene point, try turning away from writing and spend some time on a hobby completely different than typing words. You’ll be amazed at how your mind kind of “resets” itself.   

And Finally…

Make time to read.

Of all my tips, this one is the most difficult for me to embrace with a clear conscience. I love books. I love to read. Yet, sitting down in my comfy chair and losing myself in a sigh-dropping story makes me feel guilty. GET OVER IT. We are in the writing business. We must keep up on trends. We need to support our fellow authors by having a cocktail knowledge across our genre, and the newest releases of our friends and colleagues work. I must confess, my TBR pile is teetering, but with the popularity of digital books and readers, I’m overjoyed to carry around my Kindle and make the most of expected and unexpected waits. I give myself permission to read on weekends…entire books at a sitting. 

And then, I remember why I became a writer : )

How about you? 

• What is your Achilles' heel when it comes to staying focused and producing? 
• What kind of short cuts have you come up with to support productivity? 
• What do you need help with? 
• What kind of help can you offer? 
• What keeps you from writing till your heart's content?
• Any quick and easy recipes?
• How do you juggle all your responsibilities and writing?

Share with us and check back on Sunday to see if you're the winner of a $10 Amazon card!!

And wait! For a limited time, my indie release, Second Chance Ranch, is available through Amazon for .99! This great price won't last long, so tell you're family and friends and know I love you THIS MUCH!!!

Audra Harders writes "rugged stories with heart" featuring cowboys who haven't a clue about relationships rescued by ladies who think they have all the answers. In real life, she's married to her own patient hero, has two adult children and is surrounded by everything conducive to writing about farming, ranching and cowboys at her day job in the county Extension office. She began writing right after her son was born and sold her first book to Steeple Hill Love Inspired mere months before that same son graduated from high school. Surviving those years in between remind her God does have her plan for her life...and that He has a tremendous sense of humor. You can visit her at her website. Stop by and see what’s new, and sign up for her newsletter!