Do you struggle sometimes looking for inspiration for your blog? I know I certainly do, particularly when I’m tired.
You may have heard fibromyalgia being called the ‘holiday illness,’ a very cruel characteristic of fibro/chronic fatigue that, when you ease down from any continuous activity, you then realise you have over-done it. In my case it’s when I’m let go/laid off from my paid contracted Adult Education/Adult Literacy employment. My body crumbles into an exhausted and sometimes lonely mess; if I let it…
When I’m totally drained, having used every tool available to me to manage my fibro/fatigue, such as positivity, pacing and prioritising, I find writing or indeed achieving anything, including socialising is next to impossible but I choose to believe that there is always light in the darkness if you look for it!

So I take encouragement from the words of Pat Schneider in her excellent book ‘Writing Alone and with others.’
She reminds me that…
P.13 “…we will create powerful writing out of the stuff of memory…”
And she tells me…
P.15 ‘…every time you came home from a hard day at school or work and said to someone in your family, “You know what happened to me today?” and told the story – the writer in you was practising using suspense, character, dialogue, metaphor, simile, plot, denouement. All your life, you have been writing on the air, and that has built craft and confidence and voice. It is all there, ready and waiting for you.’
So, I say don’t struggle with tiredness, loneliness or with writing…just reach out in person or via social media, keep sharing your day, keep on “writing on the air.”
So, what do you think? Please join in the discussion below and share what encourages you! Thanks for visiting, your company is another source of encouragement for me!
Much love,
Marie xx
July 8, 2018 at 2:01 pm
Thank YOU for the encouragement. I, personally, am at a standstill. It’s like when I was in school and new all the information for a test and when the paper was placed in front of me, I would go blank. At least for a moment any way. But that is the feeling that I have. And then I think, who really cares what I am writing anyway. It is a struggle sometimes for sure!
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July 8, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Thank you so much for reading and responding and I’m glad my post has given you food for thought and some hope. For sure you are not alone! It is difficult to feel ‘stuck’ but try not to judge it…it is just what it is, ok in this moment.
If I can offer two suggestions… have you tried ‘freewriting’ where you just let the pen write whatever random thoughts come to you, writing non stop for a set time, even writing ‘I have nothing to write’ rather than stopping. Or try using an informal letter style, penning your experiences, thoughts and feelings as if you were writing to a friend or relative you hold dear, although not sending it. Personally I miss the Daily Prompt, which often stirred random ideas. Stay in touch!
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July 9, 2018 at 3:30 am
Absolute wonderful suggestions ~ thank you so much.
And, when I first commented above I know that new should be knew ~ don’t you just love autocorrect on the phone and no way to correct it later 😳
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July 9, 2018 at 7:16 am
I’m delighted to hear that – I hope you get time to try them out and that they work for you. Just goes to show, no matter how advanced technology becomes it’s never going to be able to compare to us!! Homophones such as new & knew or their, there & they’re are tricky at the best of times and for many people.
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July 9, 2018 at 7:16 pm
For writing, I find that I need to just ask myself, “What is it that I’m thinking about right now? What am I feeling right now?” And then I write about that. For general encouragement, it’s almost always an act of kindness or understanding that brings me around. Too much negativity is overwhelming, but one small kind word can pull us out of the darkness, I think.
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July 9, 2018 at 9:24 pm
Hi Ann, thank you for visiting and sharing what works so well for you, which is always so evident in your heartfelt posts. Feeling understood has to be one of the most encouraging feelings and I agree a little kindness goes a long way!
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July 16, 2018 at 11:42 pm
I love the inspiration we can all draw from this, Marie. Not sure if you are doing anymore links to other sites but this reminded me of one I read today. It was called, It is OK to struggle. You might want to link it. It is applicable. Fantastic. Hugs my friend. https://forgivingconnects.com/blog/
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July 17, 2018 at 2:53 am
Thanks again Donna for your encouraging feedback and for taking time to read and comment on numerous posts…it’s a real treat to find the dot on the WP bell when I’m wide awake in the middle of the night during sleepless hours! I don’t understand your comment…”Not sure if you are doing anymore links to other sites”…did I link other sites? Do you mean did I reblog other sites? Some of the technology and terminology baffles me! Thanks for the liink, I’ll head off to check it out. Xx
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July 17, 2018 at 9:32 pm
You are welcome.
I guess I should have worded it differently. I am not too tech friendly either. I think I meant… creating a pingback like we used to do with The Daily Post. I noticed you did go to #forgivingfridays . I just thought you could tag your post with that, if interested. It is a great message and one I know Debbie would enjoy. Hope I made more sense this time.
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July 17, 2018 at 10:13 pm
I could give it a try…not sure if I’d succeed but I can give it a go anyway!
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July 27, 2018 at 9:56 pm
Took a look at the requirements but not up on pingbacks and hashtags….just a little lost!
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July 27, 2018 at 10:24 pm
ok. its ok. I just love ya. Catch up with your page in a bit. Crazy busy here.
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July 27, 2018 at 11:12 pm
Aaah that’s so lovely! Take your time, I’m not going anywhere…just mind yourself! X
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August 17, 2018 at 12:34 pm
A very encouraging post. Even when we are tired, emotionally and physically, we have our memories to drawn upon when writing. I certainly appreciate your suggestion of free-writing and am often pleasantly surprised by the outcome when I sit down and do it! 🙂
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August 17, 2018 at 8:34 pm
Thanks for stopping in Brenda, it’s always lovely to hear from you. I hope you have returned home safe and well from your great work in Mongolia. X
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August 19, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Yes, I took some time to rest and am doing well. Thanks! =)
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August 19, 2018 at 6:40 pm
Good strategy! I’m having to do the same myself.
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