Day 15: Evaluating my performance so far . . .

Day 15: Today's Task is to evaluate where I am with the 31-day challenge.

Is this challenge igniting something within me?

It's been important for me to take on this challenge because writing used to be an activity that made me feel alive and healthy-brained. At some point, I dropped writing. It was not a conscious decision. It was something I left behind like the way kids on the playground mysteriously let go of red rover when they hear the bell to end recess one day and never get back to it again. In my new stay-at-home mom life, I have found that I need to be intentional about outlets that are specific to me. I have put extra effort into meeting people, going to the gym, and with this start of this new year, I have taken on this challenge to be intentional about writing. This challenge is inspiring me to reach out to others, it helps me to feel a sense of accomplishment, and it gives me a space to process a few things I would never process.

Answer--Yes, this challenge is igniting something within me, and it feels like it is leading me toward an improved version of myself.

What about this challenge seems hard to sustain?

(1.) Quantity. I am not sure how I can write 500 words every day in the way that I have chosen to complete this challenge. The truth is that I'm not writing 500 words a day. On most days, I'm writing much more than that. The reason that is happening is that I have decided to post each task on a blog. Now that I have decided to post a blog every day, I feel that I MUST publish each task, which leads me to (2.) Audience. My 500 words entries often are fairly lowkey because I know I have shared a link to my blog on Facebook. I do not want to make an uproar when all I am trying to do is fulfill a commitment. I believe in making uproars, but I would like to do so with eloquence and a true belief in the words I am writing. So many of the words I write here are being processed as I type, and by the time my entry feels complete, I just want to get the darn thing posted. If I had it to do over, I would intentionally claim in my blog that I would post 2-3 entries a week and leave the other tasks for private viewing on a Word document on my laptop. And yes, I could make that change right now; no one is enforcing that I continue posting a completed entry every day. But, I have gone this far and so I will journey on with the same intention, knowing that after the challenge is over, such a change will be made. (3.) Lack of revision and editing. I am a huge believer in the editing and revision process. I don't have enough time to do that with these writings.

Answer--Quantity, audience, and lack of revision and editing.

What is sustainable about this challenge?

I can write every day privately with an understanding that public posts will slow way down after I finish this challenge. I also think 500 words is a nice goal especially if I don't have to worry about completing a story or essay or scene. I also think it's more sustainable for me if I don't expect to finish all 500 words in one sitting. Sometimes, my son needs more of me, sometimes he needs less. Sometimes I can get my writing done quickly, and sometimes I come back to work on it several times a day.

Answer--Keeping 500 words literal and understanding the time of day is flexible.

Am I better writer because of this challenge?

Yes, writing takes practice, and I was severely out of practice. If I got winded when I wrote in the same way I did when I ran the mile in middle school, I'd be pinching my side and lacing my fingers above my head and sticking my hands on my head to help with breathing. I believe that I (as well as anyone else writes) gets better with practice; that is definitely helping.

Answer--Yes, practice makes perfect, and that's what I'll continue to do!