Random Freewrite Challenge
For the past six weekdays, I’ve written a blog post, and found I like the daily challenge.
This morning, I woke up and didn’t come to my computer immediately, so before I knew it, the day had slipped by without me writing a blog post. Late afternoon, I found I missed the writing, but so much has happened (mentally, emotionally, physically) in the past 72 hours, I discovered the creativity was missing. So I decided to just freewrite some random thoughts (and questions) of the day as my challenge. If you’re struggling to write, I challenge you to try a freewrite – they always help me.
I thought once I was done with all my chemo treatments, I’d be done with doc visits for awhile. But June has been full of them, and this week, four of the five days are all doc visits, two of which weren’t scheduled until the last minute (including a Friday appointment that was scheduled today). I’ll give another health update next week, but there’s nothing to worry about. One appointment is Tim’s eye checkup, the others are mine.
Morning writing is so much easier, even though waking up earlier is a little more difficult.
I’ve realized this week, I don’t know how to rest. Vegging in front of a TV isn’t restful for me, but I haven’t figured out how to rest otherwise. Naps have become a nightmare – I used to love them so much, but now, a one-hour nap turns into insomnia of 4-6 hours, for days in a row, so I’m having to avoid naps completely right now.
It’s easier for me to write emails sometimes than it is for me to write blog posts. I yak away in an email.
I had the first book signing for The Pink Pages last night with a cancer support group I’d visited last month. I gave away one of the books then, and the woman who won it, told me she loved The Pink Pages, saying it was informative and helpful. Then she said something that touched me deeply, and even a provided a sense of relief. She said, “I liked the way you wrote the book. It was like we were having a conversation. It wasn’t technical, it was comfortable.” Precious words to hear.
As I mentioned in the last blog post, I lost a friend this week. After her death, I painted a picture and gave it as a door prize during my book signing. I first used it as a visual, when I told the ladies how crucial it was that we all support and encourage each other – we’re in this journey together.
The day after my friend’s death became pure chaos. Why does death bring out the worst in humanity? And even though I stressed it in my Healthcare Decisions post, I’ll say it again here – we are all going to die at some point. I am going to die. You are going to die. Period. So please, for the sake of all around you, for the sake of sanity – PLEASE write down your final wishes in detail and give copies to a few people you trust who would be the first people to know about your death.
Well, that’s my random freewrite challenge for the day. Where’s yours?
Read More:
Blog Challenge Day 1: Questions I’ve Had Since My Cancer Diagnosis
Blog Challenge Day 2: Does Your Hospital Have a Navigator?
Blog Challenge Day 3: Turning Points: How I Became a Writer
Blog Challenge Day 4: The Pursuit of Wisdom
Blog Challenge Day 5: Summer Activities and Book Recommendations