Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try
– unknown
In amongst the daily grind we must not forget about our own personal accomplishments. So as I speedily arrive to the end of this month, what have I been up to?
Understand the global impact, at home
The Coronavirus, which came to global realisation after the New Year has swamped everything and anything. As countries started implementing their own lock down procedures, here in the UK it came into full force this month. It also meant schools around the country shut their doors, with only kids from key worker families attending. Regardless, this meant parents having to juggle things at home. But more important was ensuring kids mental health and well being was top of the agenda. So we devised a timetable, which while not plastered on a wall pans out as follows (only item 1 & 5 in that order):
(1) Morning exercise
(2) Homework/reading
(3) Garden play (depending on whether)
(4) Meditation
(5) Board games
Social media cut down = more writing
Beginning of March must have been the last time I posted anything on my personal Instagram account, or my comedy one to say the least. I haven’t logged in to check since then and for now I don’t think I will.
The turn of this year I was making good progress on final edits of my first book, and had it in my head that I needed to remain social media aware and hungry to spread the word. But the balance between keeping up to date with all those Insta updates, twitter feeds and writing can become blurred. In some cases it’s the social media that can start to take precedence. Since taking a break from my social media shenanigans I can say my writing has picked up. While I still need to get back to reviewing feedback from my beta readers to see what needs changing in the draft, my blog has benefited from my needed attention. Once my book is completely finished, at that point I will delve back into the world of spreading the word. If this has taught me anything, then it’s not to panic and don’t give into the concept of FOMO (fear of missing out) – look at what will work for you, as opposed to focusing too much on everyone else.
Keeping up the reading
This month I picked up a short novel by the famous author Paulo Coelho called Veronika Decides To Die. I read his best seller The Alchemist many years ago and really enjoyed.
You can read my review here.
The tail end of February I just finished reading Some Rain Must Fall – and Other Short Stories by Dutch-born writer Michel Faber. I didn’t include this in my February update but you can read the view here.
Blogging Community
Saving the best until last! While the reduction in social media time has resulted in me writing more often, majority of the credit goes to our Blogging Community. To the writers, their stories, their challenges, the conversations and the positivity is something I feel so proud to be part of. It’s daily practice for me now, for this time is so well spent. Thank you to each and every member for creating and maintaining our virtual relationships.
How has your month been? Have you been able to tick off something on your list?
Potato Sandwich 
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