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!

Pursue your Joy

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a week of work and writing. I’ve made some headway on my story and I’m loving where this is going. Hopefully, this is the one.

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But enough about that, today I’d like to talk about doing what brings you joy. Many people grow up believing there’s a single career path they need to follow because it’ll lead them to success. They work hard to achieve this lustrous goal only to find when they achieve it, they aren’t as happy as they thought they’d be.

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Now a lot of this is the fault of parents who with good intentions wish to raise self-sufficient adults. But instead of telling our kids they need to make a lot of money. Let’s tell them to find what brings them joy and do that. Maybe if we had kids pursuing those dreams we’d have fewer unhappy teens and fewer teen suicides.

I know what you’re thinking, if we have kids pursuing a dream of being an artist and they can’t sell their art, how do they become self-sufficient? A very good question and I am here with an answer.

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In order to pursue their joy, a young adult has to be able to support their dream. They must buy paint, brushes, and canvases, right? So, to do that they’ll have to get a job. Now, the job isn’t all that important, it’s just money to support their dream, but they’ll learn so much from that job. They’ll learn how to get along with people. They’ll learn negotiating skills, and most importantly, they’ll learn what they don’t want to do with their lives. That’s an important lesson to learn, don’t you think?

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Another reason everyone should pursue their joy is because it builds resilience. It’s true. I’ve found that a person can handle their bad days on the job, if they know they’re working there for something other than just the money. If they know it’s helping them obtain some other goal.

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If they’re there just for the money, they may start to feel trapped and that leads to depression.

So, teach your kids to chase their joy. Whatever it may be. It’ll teach them so much about life and give them direction. Moving forward is important, but we as parents can’t pick our kids lifestyles and goals. They must pick those for themselves. So, why not encourage them to chase something that makes them happy?

Now, most kids have more than one goal. Let’s say they want to be an artist, and have a family. So, now they have more than one goal, and they need to find a job that can support both goals. So, now they really have to think about how to do that. They may start looking into careers that require artistic talent like a graphic artist or an architect. See how this all works? They reached their goals pursuing what they loved to do, and they’re happy.

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I know this sounds simplistic, and there are many ways obstacles appear on everyone’s journey, but when you break it down, it really is as uncomplicated as this.

Thanks for reading my post. What makes you happy? Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you!

My One Little Word for 2023

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. It has been a hot minute since I’ve written a post because of the holidays. For some reason, this year seemed busier, probably because I hosted Christmas for my side of the family. My mom has finally passed the torch to me. I must say, I enjoyed hosting, but enough about that. Today, I want to talk about my one little word for 2023.

For the last couple of years, I’ve been choosing a word for the year. In the past, I’ve chosen the words strive, perseverance, and resilience. I love these words because they illustrate strength to me. This year I’m choosing the word FOCUS. I intend to focus on my goals and aspirations and ignore those pesky distractions that pull me away from my goals.

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I’m going to focus on my family. We’re at a milestone this year with my oldest. He’s graduating from high school, and he’s ready to start moving into adulthood. This is a scary time for him. There are a lot of unknowns right now. He’s not sure what he wants to study in school and that weighs on him, but he’ll be all right. We’ve all been there and he’s strong and resilient, I’m sure he’ll find a path that works for him.

I’m also going to focus on my friendships and extended family. I am blessed to come from a large, loving family, and I want to extend that love back to them. When they say we can never repay our parents, that is so true. I’m also blessed with a great creative family who’ve encouraged me on my writing journey, and I appreciate them as well.

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When I say focus for 2023, the thing that springs to mind is the story I’ve been working on for the last few years. It has morphed several times, and this year is the year to make those revisions and create my final draft. I’m confident the changes I’m making will bring about the results I’m striving for. I’m going to use my laser focus to accomplish that.

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So, there you have it. My one little word for 2023 is focus. How about you? Do you have a word that’ll encompass your year?  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!

The Season of Hibernation is Upon Us

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a busy week of work and writing. It grew too cold to run outside this week, so I have to bite the bullet and either join a gym or get an exercise bike. I’m leaning toward the gym. I want to keep running. I can’t run on the treadmill any longer, I’m afraid of messing up my back again.

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But enough about that. Today, I’d like to talk about hibernation. That’s right. The season’s changing and the weather Gods are predicting snow in the upper peninsula this Tuesday. I am not ready for winter. It doesn’t feel like we’ve even had a fall.

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I can tell the season has started to change. I’m more tired than I usually am. I think this is probably due to the fact there is less sunlight available right now. I’m also craving carbs. Ugh. This is the hardest to fight. I haven’t met a carb I didn’t like. I believe this is all part of my body saying it’s time to slow down and hibernate. It wants me to eat more carbs to fatten me up for my long winter’s sleep.

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That’s how I know we humans were also supposed to hibernate. Why else would I be feeling this way and having those horrible carb cravings after months of eating low carb?

We’re supposed to hibernate during the winter so our bodies can renew, and our brains can rejuvenate. I bet our metabolism slows down in the winter. I don’t have any evidence of this, but it just stands to reason that it would. That’s why we gain weight during the snowy season.

So, if you find yourself slowing down this winter. It’s okay. Give yourself permission to do it. It’s the natural course of things.

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 Below is a list of some of the things I’m going to do this winter while I hibernate:

1. Write: I plan on finishing the novel I’m working on now and pulling apart the one I finished and putting it back together, so it’s a stronger story.

• Exercise: I plan on keeping up on my exercise routine, so I can keep that winter weight off.

• Read: I plan on reading a lot this winter to keep away the winter blues and hone my craft.

• Bingewatch Netflix:  This one I do during the winter when it’s too cold to go outside and I’m to tired to write, but I’m not ready for bed.

• Maintain my low-carb regime: This will help me combat that winter weight that always seems to creep on.

How about you? What do you plan to do during your season of hibernation? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!  Thanks for stopping by and reading my post.

The Need for Distractions

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’ve had a busy week of work, writing, and kids. The kids are back in school. It’s the end of summer and that makes me sad. I wasn’t ready for it to end and I’m hoping we can eek out a few more hot days before winter hits and I go into hibernation mode.

But enough about that. Today I’d like to talk about the importance of distractions. I know, right? Distractions, how can they be important, but they are. Let me explain.

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We as humans need to make sense about what is happening to us. We need to find a rational reason behind an experience. We want to find the lesson. What is this experience teaching me? So, we mull it over, trying to find the why. Right? I know we’ve all been there. But sometimes the answer eludes us.

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The why will never be found. Either it’s because the person who we need to find the answer from isn’t available or refuses to communicate with us. That happens. That flash of understanding, that epiphany never happens.

This is the time we need to pull out our bag of distractions. To get our mind out of the groove of trying to find the answer. Otherwise, you can sink into a depression. I’ve seen this happen with myself as well as some of my friends.

So, what are good ways to avoid sinking into the pit of overthinking?

I like to escape reality and read a book. There’s nothing like sinking into a good story to forget about life for a while. When I start overthinking about a problem, and I recognize I’m doing that, I pull out a good book and forget about life for a while. It works wonders. This takes away the power of what I’m overthinking about, and when I’m done reading, the issue I’ve been thinking about is much smaller and more manageable.

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Another way I distract myself when I start overthinking, is to exercise. I go for a run and that seems to jolt me out of the overthinking groove, and again when I’m done the issue doesn’t seem so big.

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I also distract myself by writing. Working on my story, is the best way to get my mind out of that familiar groove of trying to understand the problem. and solve it. Some problems just can’t be solved no matter how hard we try.

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So, there you have it. Distractions are important in our lives. They serve a purpose. How do you get your mind out of the groove of finding the why in a situation? 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!

The Writing Life…

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’ve had a busy week of work and writing. My neck is feeling much better and I’m thinking about getting back into my exercise routine, but I won’t be running on the treadmill. There won’t be another treadmill season in the Orchard house. In my opinion, I need to run on harder surfaces if I’m going to run. So, I’m going to have to find another form of exercise during the winter months.

But enough about that. Today, I’d like to talk about the writing life. I haven’t spoken about this in a while, so I felt that I should address it today.

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Writing is a solitary endeavor. We writers create by ourselves and work with editors and beta readers to produce a viable product. It’s time consuming and takes us away from our families and friends.

Sometimes, it can be discouraging. The waiting for an acceptance or rejection of a manuscript can take a long time. It can get downright lonely.

So, it’s important to have a creative community who supports you. They don’t all have to be writers. They can be artists, or sculptors, or photographers. These people will understand your struggle. They will support you in ways your family can’t because they don’t understand.  I have an artist friend who I get together maybe once or twice a month and paint with her. I’m no artist, but it’s always good to take a break and do something different. I support her art, and she supports my writing.

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Another way to combat the anxiety of waiting is to start another project. Work on something else. If you do get an acceptance, you’ll be a step ahead of the game because you have another project to offer.

Still another way, is to take a break from writing all together. Spend time with your family. Go on a trip and enjoy some down time. Maybe even read. 😉

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Exercise is another great way to deal with the stress of writing. Get out of the chair and move your body. Get those endorphins moving, it’ll help with the creative process. Trust me.

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So, there you have it. Some ways to combat the loneliness and stress of writing. How about you, how do you deal with it? Leave a comment! I love to hear from you!

Tuesday Chuckle

Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I know I didn’t write a post this week and I apologize. I attended a writing conference last weekend and I have a pinched nerve in my neck at the moment, so sitting at the computer is painful. However, it’s getting better and I should have a post up for next week. So, instead of a post, I’m offering you a chuckle. 😉 I hope you’re all having a great week!