Working Out: A Strange Writing Task
… or one task that helps me keep my mind clear so I can write when needed.
A few months ago, I knew I was ready to start really focusing on writing. I’d started putting neglected household tasks in order and I’d begun thinking about what my writing routine would look like. I realized that I needed to figure out movement, though.
I am a very stationary person. I sit at a desk all day and it’s a short walk from my desk to the kitchen or bathroom at the office. After work, I’m generally sitting and winding down. For a lot of different reasons—many of which I didn’t even completely realize were there—I didn’t have any time during the week when I was moving my body.
I knew going into the next phase of writing, I was going to have to somehow include a workout routine; since I’m sitting most of the day already, adding more sitting and being stationary won’t be good for me (or, at least that’s what the experts say). So, I joined the local community center, which has a gym that works well enough, and I go there after work. I walk a mile-and-a-half or two miles on the indoor track and, on days when I’m feeling well enough, I add in some weights or some time on the rowing machine. When my body feels too tight or my muscles are shouting at me, I do yin yoga at home—someday I’ll find a yoga studio, but this works out well enough for now.
In doing this, I’ve realized that there’s another benefit of starting with the workout routine—I’m clear headed. Something about walking has quieted some of the extra noise in my head. This, combined with the fact that I have three employees helping me and the fact that I’m down to working 45–50 hours a week (well, most of the time), means I’m optimistic that I can actually do my own writing and work effectively at the corporate job that pays the bills.
Those of you that work out regularly likely already know this, but for someone like me who genuinely despises working out, I’m pretty excited about this new development. It’s made it easier to focus when I do sit down to write—whether my own projects or at work—and it’s helped me manage my anxiety. Hopefully it’ll stay that way.
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