I am writing this while looking out the sliding glass doors of an air bnb. I am currently in the mountains of North Carolina on a family vacation and our cabin has a beautiful, clear view of the mountains. The peaceful and serene semi-silence that only nature can provide with birds chirping, the breeze whipping against the cabin, and the sound of rustling leaves. The fresh air has been wonderful and the time with my family has been great, with the exception of a few work-related calls, texts, and emails I have been required to engage.
It makes me think about - and wish for - a time where I can hopefully read and write without having to participate in the hustle and bustle that comes with being a functional member of society these days. The daily grind is more than just a catchy name for a coffee shop - it is the slog that everyone has to deal with and for writers, especially writers with full-time jobs, it can easily derail your writing schedule.
I had this grandiose idea that I would catch up on writing goals for my debut novel - I got behind by writing and submitting two short stories in recent months. My goal required me to get up and write three hours each morning during vacation and quite frankly, it was absurd to think I would be able to do this while staying up late with family to play games, watch movies, or build a fire for smores. I did, however, write for at least an hour each morning and was able to get more done in a shorter period of time than I am usually able to accomplish.
While it is not what I was hoping for when I set my goal, progress is progress, and I am closer to finishing my first draft than I was last week. I have caught up on some sleep, which for me is difficult, and I have been able to hit a reset for re-entering the slog next week. All-in-all, a good vacation.
I am sure a lot of you are reading this while at work, or during a break in your schedule so me being on vacation is probably not what you want to hear about, but it is important to know it is ok to not always hit your goals. Keep setting those goals though and as always, keep writing!