Kiss Me, Kill Me – Holiday Distractions

Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays, but as a writer they provide one of the most serious distractions from getting any writing done. Even with the assistance of Santa’s helpers such as this one!

So what can you do to actually accomplish some writing and not allow worries about deadlines/revisions/etc. to dim your holiday cheer?

The first thing is to do a loose schedule of what needs to be done, when it needs to be done and with whom it needs to be done. See if there aren’t any chores which can be combined in order to use your time more effectively.

Second thing to do is multi-task. If you want to be able to watch those shows you love, set up your wrap station in front of the television so you can do two things at once.

Get up an hour earlier or stay up an hour later on as many days as you can. Try to fit in your writing in that extra hour. If you are definitely either a morning person or night owl, choose to do that extra hour during the time that is best for you. I’ve discovered I’m a morning bird and will get up at 5 a.m. instead of 6 to get the writing done.

If you’ve got some time coming to you at work, see about taking a day off to either do some of your chores or the writing.

Last, but not least, don’t worry about it. Worry is one of the most draining emotions that exists. It will accomplish nothing and only leave you feeling worse, which is the last thing you want to do during a season that should be filled with happiness, family and friends.

What do you do around the holidays to try to keep to your routines? I’d love to hear how you’ve managed to keep things running smoothly.

6 Replies to “Kiss Me, Kill Me – Holiday Distractions”

  1. I didn’t have my glasses on and didn’t notice the guy in the photo…I thought it was just pretty colors….

    Then I put my glasses on.
    Wow

  2. Can you send him to me? I am not a writer so he wouldn’t be a distraction for me. That said, no matter what you do, there will be things that take up your time when you want to be doing something else. I am retired but I have found that I still have to budget my time. I have had health problems this year so I have had to cut back on my volunteer work. That has been a big help but I can’t wait to get back to it. I shop on line and for my Grands in CA, I just send a lump sum so my daughter picks out what they want and puts my name on it. Of course that is the cowardly thing but I hate to shop. I hope everyone gets everything done without too much stress. Hugs.

  3. I will take that distraction anytime! 😉
    I mostly shop online, or pick up things when I go out… try to keep my holiday stuff for the weekends or at night…

  4. First let me say the title of the blog an the illustration are wonderful distractions, Thank you! :mrgreen:

    Not only do I have the holiday to contend with this month, but 2 of my 3 children’s birthdays and with my husband gone.

    To keep my sanity I’ve lowered my expectations. Not everything has to be perfect, the house doesn’t have to be spotless and we don’t have to do everything.

    Most important is making time to spend with my kids and then to make sure I have time for me to write. I got a wonderful laptop caddy that I can sit in the living room and write while they watch tv and still be with them.

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

  5. I shop online. That’s number one.
    Number 2, realize that you will not get as much writing done as you think. Get past it. You will be fresher in January.
    Number 3. Enjoy. You have to live sometimes to writer better later.
    cmr

  6. Thanks for the tips. For the first time, I took CyberMonday off and got some key gifts off the list and caught up on some Board of Dir chores that needed doing. I feel unburdened and ready to get to my writing. Stress can be such a creativity leech.

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