Monday, March 4, 2013

Brain Time


There's not enough time in the day. I don't have any time. Time goes by so fast.

These are all sayings that most of us say everyday, but I'd like to offer a new one: I don't have any brain time left.

What does that mean?

Well, I have to say that I'm not as busy as I might like to think I am. Yes, I have the usual dishes, laundry, three kids to feed and clean up after. I work three days a week, and I am now in the throes of basketball playoffs. Even though I'm busy, there is still time to sit down at the computer and do a bit of editing. There's time to take a notebook with me to practice and jot a few notes while I try to remember which kid I'm watching play. I could sneak in a half hour here or there to write something new.

The thing is, by the time I get to these moments, my brain is done. I can't think anymore. I can't decide where the proper place to put a comma is. I miss spelling mistakes, and character development gets the shaft. Thus my new saying: I don't have any brain time left.

Am I crazy or does anyone else feel this way? Do you try to push through or give up for the day?

11 comments:

Stina said...

I get this at the end of the day. But my schedule isn't as crazy as yours, Patti.

Jessica Nelson said...

YOu're not crazy. I usually don't write in the evenings. I'm just fried. But I do read.

It's hard. I'm trying to force myself to write in the mornings rather than clean or do errands because I know this is my most productive creative/brain time. *hugs*

Mim said...

I've been totally struggling with this lately. I'm thinking about ways to rework my schedule so that I have time to relax, and time to write. It's tough to find a balance though.

The Happy Whisk said...

I have never subscribed to the whole drama of not having time to breathe. Just silly to me.


Jessie Oliveros said...

I totally get you. I write at night, but when I am not writing it is because I'm unwinding, which I need. Which my brain needs. I'd write in the mornings if I could, but my baby wakes up at six. Then I have to get my son to school and the day just picks up after that. I keep waiting for that time my kids are older, but from the sounds of it, I might have to wait until they are grown up and moved out but then I'll just be too sad to write:(

Laura Pauling said...

It's just the stage of life. It'll go by too fast. But yes, sometimes, at night I feel like this. Some night I don't.

Anne Gallagher said...

I totally hear you on dead brain syndrome. And I have to say, I usually give up. It doesn't make sense to try and power through because the next time you read what you've written, you think, "OMG this sucks toad's toes." and you throw it all away so you're not really being productive.

Don't worry, basketball will be over soon.

Love the new blog look. Sorry I haven't been by in a while.

Sarah Ahiers said...

THIS. This is exactly it. After i put in an hour of working out and 8 hours at work and making dinner, sometimes i just need to sit on the couch and veg

Connie Keller said...

I'm so glad I'm not the only person who gets this way.

Sometimes I can push through it. Other times, I write total drivel. Or worse, edit my novel into a nightmare. Ugh. Now when my brain is beyond mush, I try to read.

Carol Riggs said...

TOTALLY. There are just periods in life that are like this. Not enough brain power to go around. Sounds like you are WAY busy enough--I'm always surprised people can find time to write when they have young kids in the house and work too!

Deanie Humphrys-Dunne said...

I think we can all relate. There never seems to be time enough for everything we would like to squeeze into our day. I wrote a blog on this subject. You can find it at: www.dhdunne.blogspot.com. Perhaps one of the hints would help.