When your brain is tired, you feel uninspired. When your brain is tired, writing feels more like work than fun. When your brain is tired, things that wouldn’t normally bother you actually do. It’s been a really long week and a lot of stresses are really starting to weigh on me.
So even if this isn’t my best piece of writing, it is my brain dump. And more importantly, I’m creating a space for you to hopefully dump yours.
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For the first time in a long, long time, my mind is totally blank. So this is really want this exercise is about. It’s why i created it in the first place. I’m usually never uninspired for writing. I can always write about something (clearly) but it’s always better when that writing is inspired.
It’s interesting to see everyone’s style that participates in this exercise. Some people tell complete stories that I am amazed are written off the cuff in just about 5 minutes. Other people simply write about exactly what’s going on exactly at that moment.
I usually have an idea of something major that’s on my mind. And I generally use this as a brain dump for that topic. But here’s what’s going on in my mind. True stream of consciousness.
Must be nice to get up and go to bed anytime you want without considering any obligations to wrap up the house for the night. I’m so tired that I feel like I’m going to be tired forever. I stay up too late and get up too early mainly because late at night is the only time I get to myself. I’m also getting really sick of looking at cities and towns and houses. I’m learning that my new adventure in living is not the same as my husband’s and I’m seriously worried about where we’re going to live and I’m secretly worried that I’m just going to give up and tell him fine, you pick where you want to live and I’ll just deal with it. But when I think about living someplace that I can’t see as home, it makes me want to cry.
23 comments
I can empathize… imagining your new life is mentally and physically draining. Don’t give up – but at the same time know that anyplace you find you can make a true home. 🙂
ps. for some reason I can’t link up! Thanks for the SOC platform today – i needed it.
Back home and my mind is taking a break. Feels better and glad you could link up (told you my brain was tired!)
Back home and my mind is taking a break. Feels better and glad you could link up (told you my brain was tired!)
I was there some months ago. I was working full-time at night (as a WAHM) and during my daughter’s naptimes and doing everything else, or being a mom, wife, and human around that. It was tough. My best advice is just to try to take one thing at a time, one day at a time. Eliminate those things in your life that are adding you the most stress (and that you can eliminate) and go from there. Also, be sure to reach out for help whenever you need it. It’s tough, but one day, eventually, you will look back on this time and be able to smile about it all. I promise.
Thank you for your perspective. Yes, it will all be okay. I just get impatient with myself and with life sometimes. I’ve been trying to tell myself to go to bed earlier. Everything will still be there in the morning!
I am right with you on the tired front. Night is the only time in 24 hours that I truly have to myself and it is quiet. Last night? I fell asleep at 8:30 from sheer exhaustion!
I also totally understand the moving dilemma. My husband says he doesn’t care where we live, as long as I’m happy…because I will be in the home more than he is on a day to day basis. Okay, makes sense. But then he will make statements like “I would love to have space for a 4 wheeler, I don’t want neighbors on top of us.” So then it’s back to the drawing board for me. May I suggest you and Sean make a list of things that you MUST have and then compare? Also, while you may want to move only once, maybe renting is really a better option? That way you can be sure you like or don’t like an area.
We finally made our list and if we made any progress this trip, it was figuring out where we would be willing to compromise. It’s progress!
Maybe it’s twisting the rules a little, but I *plan* for this weekly brain dump! LOL! I start thinking of it through the week and wonder what I’m going to write, or something happens that I say, “I’m saving this for SOCS!” … and then, like a poet, I begin writing pieces in my mind … I know. Weird, right?
And there are Sundays when I start writing for my brain dump … and I can’t stop. And before I know it, my time is up. Way up. But it’s there and its good and it’s there for me to read and I’ve been able to process it all the more better. :0)
I often have something on my mind. It’s not twisting the rules because you are still freewriting. I think it’s great to go beyond 5 minutes. But the goal for everyone is during those 5 minutes – just keep writing. Don’t stop, don’t pause, don’t think. Just go.
Hmmm, that first paragraph is sounding mighty familiar to me. I’ve been battling the uninspired tired brain for weeks now, WEEKS! I’ve chosen sleep over doing anything that I consider “productive”, which feels more like I’m giving up on a daily basis. I’ve said it before, but I think these brain dumps are so helpful. They’ve often helped me out of a rut and get ready to try again…kind of a fresh start to a new week. Oh, I recently got a massage, and when I finally settled into it and let go of millions of thoughts/worries/stresses, I felt a clearing in my brain that was entirely different from that blank feeling and so many Aha! moments came to me…it was awesome, so I’m recommending you try to make some pampering in your life happen! You have to balance the stress somehow, right?
You are so right about massage. People don’t realize how much we store in our muscles. I had one last week and I had to make a mental decision to just let go and it made a world of difference. Now if I can just find a way to extend that feeling. I think I’ll start with more sleep!
I hope y’all can find the perfect place to call home and neither of you have to settle or be secretly unhappy. I missed my SOC Sunday posts for a few weeks and realized how much I love this exercise! xoxo
I’m glad 🙂 Still playing catch up myself!!! I think we’re getting closer to some agreement.
I can really relate – especially, for some reason, on Sunday mornings – when I sit down, fire up the laptop, and my brain says to my butt, “So? any ideas in there? Cuz I’m all out.”
I’ve been writing mine on Saturday evenings. And I think my post has a totally different vibe than when I write it in the mornings. I might switch things up a bit this week.
Whew! Finally got my internet working again so I can actually leave a comment! I didn’t stick to the five minutes this week, I was a rebel! 😉
I am with you on the tired feeling and just giving in. I think most women do that because we are soo tired and just want to say whatever you want! Don’t give up, it will make you happier in the end!
You rebel, you. It’s totally fine to go over 5 minutes. I won’t penalize you 🙂
I am not giving up! I promise!!
Just came across your blog from another blogger who linked up with you. I love this idea! Also? I would love to be able to go to bed at night without having to ensure all the windows are closed, lights are off, etc.
Good luck on your house hunt.
Oh yay! You get it! I think it’s just part of being the wife/mother/household manager. At least we know our family has confidence in us to take care of everything. I’m glad you stopped by!!
tonight was a total “nothing to write about other than exactly what’s in my head right this minute” post… usually I have at least an idea of what I want to dump my brain of. late at night is the only time I have to myself most days as well… and I should be doing things around the house I haven’t done yet, that NEED to be done today, but all I want to do is sit here… and do nothing… and so I am… going to be a long night I think.
That was totally me when I wrote this Saturday night. This week is still a bit of a fog but hopefully tomorrow is better!
Completely with you on being tired and feeling uninspired. I’ve been mentally struggling for a couple of days and had to force myself to sit down and write tonight. I had no idea what would come out of my fingers & brain, but I’m glad I did make myself do it.
I do the same thing, going through mental/house/family obligations before I can even sleep at night. I am often jealous of my husband and kids, who seem to just close their eyes and drift off with no worries. My brain either doesn’t want to shut off, or it doesn’t want to get moving. Never an in-between!
Perfect. That’s EXACTLY what you need to do. Even if your writing is crap, it gets your brain moving in the right direction. And no matter how much we wish we could just relax, we’re women. It’s our job to worry!!