Burnout is like forced hibernation

I feel like I’ve been asleep for the last few months. Maybe it’s the weather changing, the daylight waning, or even just the burnout talking, but I feel like there has been a fog over my mind.

Burnout is a wild beast. My focus is asleep, everything I try to do is boring, and worst of all I consciously feel myself making bad choices. Too much social media, sitting through hours of a TV show, not texting people back, and ignoring projects that are in progress. It’s like I’ve been forced into hibernation, only waking for food and basic needs. It’s lightening up though as I let myself rest a bit more.

Last weekend, I finally sat myself down and cracked open my manuscript that’s been sitting since my developmental edit in August/September. I haven’t read it in almost a year. I was actually quite shocked that I was the one to write it. There are still some obvious flaws and plot holes, but I’m actually very proud of how the writing is currently. I wanted to give the story a dreamy feel and I think the writing style is achieving that so far.

It’s still slow going. I’m only about 100 pages into reading it after two weekends. But it’s something! Progress is being made! I’m reacquainting myself with the world and seeing questions I didn’t have answers to before since I’m seeing it with “fresh eyes.”

I’ve also got another project brewing in my mind. The pieces are still being scattered around my mind, but I’m excited for the potential. Otherwise, I’m writing whatever comes to my brain right now. I don’t want to squash any of the creativity that’s managing to shine through the fog.

Hopefully I can get back on track with the rest of my life too. We organized our basement the other day which felt like a start. I also finally finished a larger planning project at work. Slow progress in all aspects of life.

Let’s see where some random writing bits can get me. Who knows, maybe I’ll crack open edits for my manuscript and finally get that ball rolling.

Happy Writing!

Rachel