How to Quiet That Inner Critic

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back after a week of work, writing, and reading. I’ve also been running. It helps me manage my weight and my stress. During the winter months, I found a gym with an indoor track that allowed me to run inside, so I was able to maintain my running schedule. But enough about me, today I’d like to talk about dealing with our inner critic.

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We’ve all got one, that nagging voice inside our heads that whispers, “You’re not good enough.” Sometimes we can beat that voice into a bloody pulp, but other times that voice cripples us. Where did this voice come from? I have a theory. It’s the voice of your most negative parent.

I find this voice doesn’t always whisper. I can feel it ramping up my anxiety when I’m writing. It takes a lot of energy to still this voice in my head, but I’ve learned some techniques that help me, and I thought I’d share them with the rest of the creatives out there who’re trying to get your work out into the world.

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The first thing I do when I feel that old anxiety creeping through my body tensing my muscles and stealing my good mood is, I remind myself that I’m trying to break into a tough business. Writing and publishing is tough right now. It’s not a walk in the park. I’m trying to do something that’s extremely hard.

Then I make sure and manage my stress. I go for a walk, run, or hike. Physical activity is a great way to get those endorphins flowing, and those endorphins drown out that nagging voice in my head. I bet it will work for you, too.

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Another way I quiet that voice is I get together with other creatives. We all need the support of our creative family.  People who believe in us and cheer us on. When that inner critic gets too loud, I hang out with my fellow creatives, and it does wonders for my motivation and drive.

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Another way I quiet that voice is I take a break. Sometimes we’ve been working so hard on a project that we become over correctors, and you can’t tell if what you’ve written is gold or dribble. That’s when I take a break and put the story out of my head. Sometimes we just need to get away from it for a little while.

Sometimes I read when I take a break or watch a movie. Something that takes my mind off the story and allows me to relax. Other times, I’ll hike through the woods or walk along the beach. Whatever I feel I need at the time.

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So, there you have it. Some ways I squash that inner critic. How about you? How do you quiet that negative Nancy raging through your head? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!

The Great Outdoors, It’s Good for You!

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a week of work and writing. We had some warm days last week which I am grateful for, but I’m ready for more. I’m ready for summer. Those consistently hot days when all I want to do is read in the shade while listening to the waves rolling in and crashing on the shore.

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This summer, I plan to get out into nature more. I’m going to make a concerted effort to get to the lakeshore and see more sunsets and walk along the beach. I’m also planning on doing more hiking.

Getting outside is good for our mind and body. Hiking in the woods is a great way to relieve stress after a busy day at work. It’s good for our immune system, too. The trees release phytoncides. These compounds are anti-fungal microbes that defend the trees from fungus, bacteria, and even animals. By breathing them in they help our immune system as well by telling worn out cells it’s time to go. No wonder I always feel better after a hike through the woods.

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Walking by the water is also beneficial. Something about the calming sound of the waves against the shore seems to unravel the tension inside of me. Walking in the sand barefoot has two benefits. It’s a great source of exercise for your leg muscles, and it’s a form of earthing or grounding.

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Grounding is a way of transferring the earth’s electrons to our bodies. It’s accomplished by walking barefoot on the earth or by digging around in the soil. For example, planting a garden or flowers.  This transfer of energy is an anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant according to experts. Inflammation is a common denominator in many life-threatening diseases. Just think by grounding twenty minutes a day, you reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer.

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Let’s not forget the sun. We get vitamin D from the sun. This vitamin is essential for strong bones. It helps them absorb calcium which makes them stronger. Are you seeing a theme here?

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Do you remember when you were a kid, and you’d spend the whole day outside riding your bike and playing near the water? We were doing more for our health than we realized. I plan on spending more time outdoors this summer. I hope you can, too. What are some of the outdoor activities you enjoy? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!

Stress Relief in A Chaotic World

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a busy week of working, writing, and kids. I’m making progress on the changes I wanted to make in my story, and I’m excited about that.

But enough about that, today I’d like to talk about relieving the stress of every day life. I’ve written about it before, but it bares repeating because we humans need to be reminded. Life can be too much sometimes with all these train derailments and mass shootings. These events whether or not they’re close or far away, cause stress. So, stress relief and self-care are more important than ever.

So, here’s a short list of my go-to stress relievers. I hope they help you, like they’ve helped me.

1. Hiking. I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m in the woods the stress just melts away. I love hiking. The Japanese call this Forest-bathing, and there is scientific proof that the trees in the forest release phytoncides which boosts our immune system. So not only is hiking through the woods good for you mentally, it’s good for you physically, too.

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• Reading. Reading fiction is also an excellent way to reduce stress. Did you know if you read for only fifteen minutes a day, it’ll reduce your stress level by 68%? I love that. I love the idea that I can escape my problems for a little while, and when I focus on them again. They’re not quite as big.

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• Exercise.  Another great way to relieve stress other than hiking is doing some form of exercise. I run and let me tell you the Runner’s high is real. I feel so good after a run and the stress I’m dealing with at the moment melts away.

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• Yoga. Yoga is another way to destress. It calms the mind while increasing your flexibility and stability. I love yoga, when I’m done, I’m totally relaxed, but more aware. It’s an awesome feeling.

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• Going to the Beach. Did you know, just being by the water releases stress? I know I always feel better after a walk along the beach. I love watching the sun set over the water. I recommend walking barefoot. This is called Grounding, and there is evidence to support that grounding is good for your health. It has been found to reduce inflammation, pain, and stress. It also improves blood flow, energy, and sleep. You can ground anywhere, too. It doesn’t have to be at the beach. Just kick off your shoes and go!

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So, there you have it, five ways to destress in this stressful world we live in. How do you relieve your stress? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!

Stress Relief for the Holidays

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’ve had a busy week of working, shopping, and sneaking in a little bit of writing. It’s busier during the holidays for me, so I haven’t been able to write as much as I like to.  

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But enough about that. Today, I’d like to talk about dealing with stress during the holidays. It gets busier during the Christmas season and the first thing to go is our self-care routine.

Part of my self-care routine is exercising. I run, but since I’ve developed runner’s hip, I’ve taken up the elliptical machine to give my hip a rest. But I digress, any type of exercise this time of year is an excellent stress reliever. It gets those endorphins pumping.

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Another way to relieve stress is to take a few minutes and read a book. Reading for just fifteen minutes has been proven to reduce your stress level by sixty-eight percent. I love reading especially in the winter in front of the fire. It’s a great way to shut the world off and relax.

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Hiking is another way to relieve stress. Just getting out into nature and breathing the fresh air clears the cobwebs, and it’s healthy for you too. Hiking in the woods is great because you’re moving and releasing those endorphins, but also because you’re in nature and the trees release phytoncides that we breathe in. These organic compounds boost our immune system. It just goes to show you we’re all connected with the earth, so we should be taking care of it, but that’s another blog post for another time.

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Some people take up knitting or crocheting to relieve stress. I haven’t done this, but I’ve heard it’s an excellent way to relax. I’ve taken up painting, but since I’ve been writing, I haven’t had time to paint like I want to. I need to practice and strengthen my skills there. I’ll never be an artist, but it’s fun to take a break and paint.

Another excellent way to relieve stress is yoga. How could I forget yoga? It’s a great way to stretch those muscles and relieve the stress of sitting at a desk all day. I’ve always found yoga has relaxed me, and made me more aware at the same time.

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So there, you have it. Some stress relieving activities for the holidays. What are some of the ways you relieve stress? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!

A Beautiful Day for a Hike

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a busy week with work and writing. I’m making progress on my story, and I like what I’ve got so far.  I’ve been busy with my kids, too. I’ve got a senior this year, so we’ve been busy getting senior pictures taken and trying to choose them. Such a tough choice when you’ve got a handsome kid! 😉

But enough about that. Today I went on a hike instead of writing this blog post. I just wanted to get outside and enjoy the fall air. I hiked for a good two hours, and I had a great time. There’s nothing like getting out in the woods and strolling through the fallen leaves. And the smell. I love the smell of fall. The scent of decaying leaves mixed with soil. There’s nothing like it in the world.

The woods were beautiful. I’m kicking myself that I didn’t get out earlier this month and get some pictures of the woods in all their glory. The ones I did get were amazing though. There’s just so much beauty in the world. You know?

Photographer Lisa Orchard

Photographer Lisa Orchard

Photographer Lisa Orchard

So, instead of writing a post for today. I decided to share my hike with you. I hope you’re able to get out and enjoy the fall colors before winter sets in. Are you a hiker? What’s your favorite place to hike? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!

Exercise: An excellent way to combat Writer’s Block

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a busy week at work. I’m still noodling an idea for another story and sending queries. I’m also running to stay in shape, and I got to tell you there’s nothing like that runner’s high. When I run in the morning before work, I have a better mental attitude throughout the day.

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Exercise is important for everyone. It keeps you in shape and lowers the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. It’s especially important for writers because writing is such a sedentary activity. When I’m in the midst of creating a story, I could write all day. I have to force myself to take a break and exercise. I make sure and do it though because it also helps my writing. I’ve solved many plot holes while I’m running, and exercise keeps my creative juices flowing.

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To keep me from getting bored, I also engage in Yoga and Hiking. Both provide not only physical benefits, but emotional ones as well. Yoga is a great way to focus on yourself. It brings me clarity when I’m dealing with complicated issues. I’m allowed to focus on my needs and find solutions to difficult dynamics. Sometimes we run into issues with family members, and we have to be creative to solve problems that arise.

Hiking is another terrific way to exercise. It’s also a great stress reliever, too. I’ve also found that when I’m writing, if I take time out for a hike through the woods or the beach, I solve plot holes and come up with creative stories. Noodling ideas in the woods is an excellent way to improve a great story.

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So, if your stuck in a story and not sure how to move it forward. Step away from your work and go for a run or a hike. I guarantee you’ll either solve your problem while you’re exercising, or you’ll feel better about your story, and you’ll come back to it with a fresh attitude and solve it that way.

How about you? How do you deal with your writing when you’re stuck? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!

Where do you find your Inspiration?

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a busy week at work and polishing up my manuscript. I also went to an art fund raiser and bought some amazing pieces. It was a fund raiser for Ukraine, and my good friend and artist organized it.

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It was an amazing event. Of course, she is part of my creative community. She’s an inspiration to myself and many others. I have a group of friends that are my creative community and I love them dearly. They are artists, photographers, and writers. They inspire me and help me grow in my craft and I’m grateful to have them in my life. Today, I’m talking about inspiration. Where do you get yours from?

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My kids inspire me. The thought of leaving something behind for them keeps me writing. When they were younger, they loved the Super Spies stories, and it did my heart good to talk about those stories with them.

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There are other things that inspire me, like walking alone in the woods. There’s nothing like a hike to clear your head and allow story ideas to come to the surface.

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Other stories inspire me. When I read a story that touches my soul it inspires me to improve my writing. I try to learn new skills and improve my voice. I try to take on grittier stories that will touch other people.

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I also get inspiration from the past. Sometimes, it’s something I went through that inspires a story and sometimes it’s an historical event. Our past is important. I’ve got a rich past I can pull from as I’m sure every other writer does.

Movies also inspire me. When I see a good movie or a good Netflix series, like “Breaking Bad,” or “Better Call Saul,” or the “Ozarks.” It inspires me to write more interesting characters with strong backstories.

How about you, where do you find your inspiration? Leave a comment, I love to hear from you!

What do you do when the Burnout Bug Bites?

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. We were lucky yesterday and had a sixty-degree day where I was able to get out and go for a walk. My pinched nerve is still bothering me, so I was only able to go a couple of miles. Even so, it was nice to get some fresh air.

But enough about that, today I thought I’d talk about burnout. Burnout for writers or anyone really happens when you don’t pace yourself. Like a runner who sprints to early in the race, you can run out of gas. The joy you used to feel while creating your work just isn’t there, and the ideas are stagnant.

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You’ve hit the wall and the only thing you can do is stop and take a break. When this happens, I have a few go-to activities that help ease the stress of burnout, because not producing something can be just as stressful as producing something, right?

I go for a run and get those endorphins going. Nothing beats a run for handling the stress of burnout.

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I go for a hike. A hike through the woods is good for you mentally and physically. Forest bathing is really a thing and there’s nothing like a walk through the woods to calm the static in your head. FYI walking along the beach is just as good for you.

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Reading is another way to beat burnout. Just reading for fifteen minutes reduces stress by sixty percent, and you get the added bonus of opening up your mind to new ideas. Most authors are voracious readers. It’s one way to improve your craft and beat stress all at the same time.

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Get together with your creative community. I get together with mine and they’re so good at building up my confidence. We go hiking or paint. Sometimes we just go out for a bite to eat.

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Shopping. Sometimes a little retail therapy is all you need to get those creative juices flowing again.

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So, there you have it. Five things you can do when the burnout bug hits. How about you? What are some of the activities you do when you get bitten by the bug?

Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!

Self Care: It’s a Choice

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. Because of the pinched nerve in my neck, I’ve been doing more editing and reading this week while I wait for my neck to heal. It’s getting much better thanks to my chiropractor, but I believe my treadmill days are over. There will no longer be treadmill season at the Orchard’s.

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I’m not upset about that. I’ve always disliked running on a treadmill. But enough about that. Today, I’d like to talk about self-care. I know I’ve talked about this before, but I feel it’s important. Sometimes we get stretched too thin, and we need to take a moment and regroup.

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There’s nothing wrong with that. We can’t be going full tilt all the time. I can always tell when I hit the wall. I get tired and cranky, and I don’t enjoy the things I usually enjoy.

Here are my go-to self-care activities.

1. Reading. I grab a good book and curl up on the couch. I do this during the winter more because it’s too cold to go outside. Did you know reading for just fifteen minutes reduces your stress level by 60%?

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• Exercise. Exercise is a great stress reliever, and it gets those endorphins going. Even a walk is good for you. Especially if you’re a writer and you sit at a desk all day.

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• Hiking. Hiking is also good for you. I love hiking in the woods, and if you hike in the woods, you get the added benefit of receiving phytoncides from the trees. In Japan, this is called forest-bathing and it’s a real thing.

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• Painting. I’m learning to paint, and it’s a great way to take a break. I’m still creating something, but it’s just for me, so I don’t have to worry about what anyone else thinks about it.

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• Yoga. Yoga is another great way to create calmness within yourself. You stretch your muscles, and you relax while becoming more aware. It’s a great feeling.

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So, there you have it. Five things I do when I’m in need of some self-care. I know there are more. What do you do for self-care?  Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!

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Finding your Community

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’ve been busy this week with work, writing, and family. Now that winter is almost upon us, I’ve been preparing by making sure my kids have coats and gloves that fit. I’ve also taken some time off to go hiking. I’m hoping to get a couple more hikes in before the snow flies and we start hibernating.

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But enough about that. Today, I’d like to talk about friendship and connection. I remember in my teen years, many moons ago, I had a group of friends that I hung out with constantly. We did everything together. Bike rides, skateboarding, sleepovers, and slumber parties. They were my support group and I supported them.

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I miss those days. I feel women need their groups of friends to feel connected and part of a community. We need to get back to that in our society. I know social media allows us to stay connected over long distances, but it’s not the same kind of connection. Something gets lost over the internet. The ability to read facial expressions and get a hug. The ability to actually touch someone is gone. This is something that’s desperately needed in our society. Remember the old quilting circles? We need to bring them back.

So, how do we do that in our bustling world? We go back to those days of quilting circles and start anew. If you don’t like quilting, you could get a group of friends together to play cards, or do something creative like painting, or join a writing group.

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These are all ways to recreate a community. It’s always good to create one around an activity, or common goal. That way everyone is focused on something positive, and they can forget about their troubles for a while. Whenever I get together with my group of friends, I always come away from the gathering inspired and motivated. It’s refreshing to be with like-minded people.

This last week, I got together with my artist friends and we went on a hike then painted together. Even though we were all working on our own paintings there was a sense of community and support. I left that group inspired to keep working on my writing. Sometimes we time away to refresh so we can continue working on a long project such as writing a novel.

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So, there you have it, need something to boost your mood? Start your own community. Create your own quilting circle, or writing group, or hiking group. You’ll be glad you did. It’s cheaper than therapy. 😉

How do you find support? What kind of groups would you like to create? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!