Just Burning One Flame

There’s always a small 📝 notebook and pen in my purse, car, nightstand drawer, and laptop bag. I write on napkins in restaurants or receipts. I’ve stopped in the middle of a workout to put the perfect phrase in the Notes app on my 📱 phone. Thoughts just come to me. I never know what will spark something in my mind, so I am always ready.

Sitting down at my 💻 computer or with a notebook and a great ink 🖊 pen is calming for me, a way to unravel the days and put some meaning to the moments. Some people like to draw or 🌷 garden. Sewing, woodworking, and 🍳 cooking are how some of my friends choose to unwind. My husband finds it relaxing to detail our cars. We all need something soothing because we shouldn’t burn the 🕯candle at both ends all the time.

Things are a little different lately. I still have thoughts. 🤔 I keep track of those words that pop into my head. It doesn’t feel as relaxing to me, though. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s been this way for the last few months. I couldn’t figure out why, but I think I understand now.

Writing isn’t something I only do for fun and stress relief anymore. It’s my job. I wake up and sit at my 💻 computer to research, write, and edit all day, every day. And it’s awesome! 🥳 My days are interesting. The work is fulfilling and creative. 😍 I’m so grateful that I can do something I love and call it work. Bonus- I get to do it from the comfort of my own 🏠 home. However, something I used to do whenever I had something to say is now my livelihood.

The trick is to continue finding contentment, relaxation, and gratification from writing in my spare time. I doubt I’m alone in this dilemma. Do 👩🏻‍🍳 chefs still feel passionate about getting in the kitchen at home? Are people who work in 👔 retail excited to shop? Do 🛠construction workers enjoy coming home to do remodeling? See what I mean?

I’ll light that 🔥 fire again by taking a step back for a bit. I’ll keep the 📒 notebooks close by and write down my thoughts. I’m just going to let that be enough for a while. 🥰 We’ll chat through another blog post soon, friends. Maybe a couple of weeks. Maybe a couple of months. Until then, I’m just 🕯burning one flame. 💖