My Quiet, Private Way

I've been doing a lot of journaling and intense "brain dumping" in the last three weeks. And let me tell you, it's done a heck of a lot of good for me.

I realize I can't help everyone. I can't help every single person. It is impossible to please everyone, and I tend to be a people-pleaser. But here's what's going on.

Recently I've been reading more about my personality type. For around a year I've known I was an INFJ - Introvert, INtuition, Feeling, Judgment. (Judgment would be more about self-judgment in this case.) And it's true I have trouble adjusting to major changes or suddenly stressful situations.

So I've decided to reduce my stress by easing up on things.

I am learning new skills so I can create my products and work more independently and not need to depend on anyone else. I am learning how to use certain software and utilize techniques to facilitate independent creative work. I am not going to depend on someone else's schedule or agenda because I can do with less conflict.

Already I have mentioned I'm gearing up to be an authorpreneur. My workaholic tendencies can sometimes get the better of me, but I'd rather have that than a boss. I'm not accepting any client work now, not for at least another long while. When I know better what I can do, I can consider working for others, but I otherwise have only done excellent audio transcription as a freelancer and I'd now charge more for it than before, because my time is very valuable.

I am happier when I do entrepreneurial tasks that are congruent to who I am, what I like and what energizes me. So if I want to make journal books too, then I'll do that. I can still help more people without feeling like I'm worthless just because I don't do "real" work or have a "conventional" job. I will be helping others but in my more private, quiet way.

I apologize if this blog post feels somewhat of a mess. But I felt I had to update you and my other readers about what's going on, and it's not even everything. I'm taking a bit of time off to figure some things out and write some ideas out. It's very necessary... and right now I shouldn't deny myself this important period of healing and reflection.

Curl Up With a Good Journal In Front of the Fire

Autumn is upon us in the United States. Little by little the climate is getting colder.

Most people would like to come back home after a long day and curl up with a good book.

But maybe some others, like me, want to write in a book ourselves.

We’d prefer to write in a journal book instead.

Relax and Pour Out a Cup of Brain Clutter

Sure, reading a novel is a good distraction from the real world. We are reminded how grateful we can be, that we are not in as troubled of a situation as the protagonists we read about.

Then there is also the clutter in our heads.

We shouldn’t leave our brains cluttered. It’s bound to happen at least after half of a day goes by, and it can be that way even as early as getting out of bed. “What’s gonna happen today? What should I not forget today? What do I need to be careful about today? Is that milk still good?”

Keeping that all in your head is not going to do you good if you need to, or want to, be in the present moment.

Maybe you had a new story idea you want to write down that’s been floating around in your head since lunchtime.

You can look forward to writing it down when you get home. Maybe not on a loose sheet of paper, but in a nice, good-quality journal book you bought for yourself some time ago. Or maybe that journal book was a gift, and you didn’t know what to write in it or when to start it.

Get Cozy

Start that journal today.

Ask for that time. No—GIVE yourself some time to be in a quiet place and write things down.

If you get resistance, well…

Here’s the thing. You need to treat that time like it’s sacred. Your doctor would order it. Your writer friend would suggest it; whether you identify as a writer or not, that sacred personal journaling time will still benefit.

Whatever it is you want to talk about, that you can’t talk about with anyone because it’s a story idea or it’s a painful emotion… your journal book won’t talk back at you. It won’t tell you what to do. It will show you what you thought, what you think, and how you feel. 

You can turn what you wrote down into something you can use.

 

And then… your brain won’t be as cluttered after you write your whirling thoughts. You can go to sleep. You can be fully involved in a conversation.

Curl Up With That Journal

So if you want to read a book when it’s time to relax, then go ahead. You can read that book soon.

But before you forget those important or interesting thoughts you don’t want to forget, write them down. Write them down in your journal book or notebook.

And maybe you won’t want to put that pen down. You may keep writing. The novel you’re reading can wait a little longer.

QUESTION:

Do you prefer reading or journaling on cold or rainy nights? Leave your answers in the comments.

Hello There and Welcome!

Hello fellow writers and readers!

Welcome to my author notebook. I am Sara A. Watts, the author of Easy Journal Writing: Jump-start Your Journaling Routine with Expert Tips and Light Prompts.

This is something of a starter blog until I’m able to make a better website. But for now, you can learn more about me and my book's topics here.

I will also be writing my thoughts and experiences as both a writer and an introvert. The purpose of this blog is to continue sharing those experiences after my book has been published. But I will share them so that you may relate. 

I want to make it known there are many positive aspects about being an introvert writer. I am constantly learning about my new life and continue to journal. And since I'm an advocate of journal writing, you will benefit from what I share.

I enjoy personal journaling, which is one of those positive qualities as an introvert. It allows me to write more when I'm not at my computer. And, journal writing really is stress relief. I say this in my book too. At the end of the day my head is filled with thoughts and ideas that need somewhere to go. So I write them down in a notebook. 

It's very therapeutic. :)

As of today I'm in my final preparations to publish the book for the Amazon Kindle, so I'm very excited about it!

Glad you found me. Happy reading!