As I type this, I’m sat in my Batman onesie with Cheshire Cat bed socks on. For years, I’ve resisted buying a onesie. I don’t know what put me off, perhaps just the idea that everyone had them. I don’t like being part of a crowd. It’s something I’ve always struggled with. Now, however, the need to keep warm in my freezing attic bedroom has taken precedence. I’ve accepted that comfort (and warmth) matters.
I’ve made a few subtle changes to my life in the past few weeks to try and clearly delineate my work schedule from my relaxation time. I’m not the best at switching off, but I know how vital it is to allow me to not only produce my best fiction but also to earn a living by my freelancing. So, I’ve changed the aforementioned freezing attic bedroom into a room that separates sleep from fun stuff. I can no longer watch television in bed, therefore encouraging me to read more. I’ve downloaded some fresh books for my Kindle and, as soon as my feet thaw out on my electric blanket every night, I’m perfectly comfortable.
I’ve also started a few craft projects. I’m not a visual artist by nature and so I’m not expecting anything I do to be amazing. However, I bought a dollhouse kit to assemble, decorate and furnish. The hope was that it would give me a reason to step away from my computer and, so far, it’s worked. Not all the pieces were lined up correctly so I’ve spent quite a bit of time with sandpaper making everything fit this week. The next job is to paint it in some of my favourite colours. If you’re interested, the best place to keep up with my craft activities is on Instagram.
The plan is to steadily increase the amount of time I spend away from my computer, making my time there precious and even more important. Hopefully, this week I’ll get back to the gym and feel a little brighter. Roll on spring when I can take some long walks!
With any luck, these changes will help in the long run. The good news is that this latest draft of ‘Valerie’ is coming along nicely. It’s nearly ready to be set aside for another month and is still on track to be released in May. Keep your fingers crossed!
