I wrote about this on my own Substack, but I think I've sorted out for myself that I don't like resolutions because they seem rooted in the idea of changing yourself into a better version of yourself, which feels a little too shame adjacent to me. I do really like to set goals and that feels different to me because goals (in my mind) are about discovering what *this* version of myself can accomplish. I'm not trying to *be* a different person, I'm just figuring out how to make more space to do cool stuff I want to do, if that makes sense.
I am usually a night owl and my partner goes to bed early to get up for work so I definitely understand that dynamic. I have been hoping to get into a habit of writing for myself at least 30 minutes per day but with writing as my main job, it feels so much harder to do it for my personal projects. Using your post to affirm this intention and goal!
Hooray! I was really inspired/dumbfounded to learn that Lydia Millet writes for an hour in the morning and 90 minutes in the evening every day, around her day job. That seems like...a strangely realistic schedule for producing books that are National Book Award finalists. But I'm sure it's also like a marathon, with the endurance of doing it day after day being the hard part. Anyway, I hope you can find your writing time because I always enjoy reading your thoughts!
I wrote about this on my own Substack, but I think I've sorted out for myself that I don't like resolutions because they seem rooted in the idea of changing yourself into a better version of yourself, which feels a little too shame adjacent to me. I do really like to set goals and that feels different to me because goals (in my mind) are about discovering what *this* version of myself can accomplish. I'm not trying to *be* a different person, I'm just figuring out how to make more space to do cool stuff I want to do, if that makes sense.
Yes! I like the analogy of making more space -- clearing out what isn't working to make room for what might.
I am usually a night owl and my partner goes to bed early to get up for work so I definitely understand that dynamic. I have been hoping to get into a habit of writing for myself at least 30 minutes per day but with writing as my main job, it feels so much harder to do it for my personal projects. Using your post to affirm this intention and goal!
Hooray! I was really inspired/dumbfounded to learn that Lydia Millet writes for an hour in the morning and 90 minutes in the evening every day, around her day job. That seems like...a strangely realistic schedule for producing books that are National Book Award finalists. But I'm sure it's also like a marathon, with the endurance of doing it day after day being the hard part. Anyway, I hope you can find your writing time because I always enjoy reading your thoughts!