Oh ,

I don’t know about you, but this meme is certainly resonating for me as of late:

(Meme: cartoon of dog drinking coffee at a table while a fire rages around him. In the second panel, a close up of the dog and the words “this is fine” in his speech bubble).

So honestly, f*ck it.

Don’t write more in 2021.

You don’t need my permission, but if you’d like it: Permission Granted.

We’re in the middle of a once in a lifetime pandemic and a slow-moving coup attempt, not to mention the usual stress of living (in my case) as a Boricua Mama Writer in this messed up world.

So. Um. Yeah. Take a break. Take a nap. Take it easy.

Or don’t.

Do what feels good or important or easeful or urgent to you in this moment. 

And give yourself the room and grace to switch gears as needed in the coming days, months, weeks, and years ahead.

If the astrologers I follow's readings are any indication, then the intense energy is only getting started. (Yeah yeah I follow astrologers, don't you? lol).

The world needs your voice, but not at the expense of your life and wellbeing.

So care for yourself and your people and your community — and if writing is your way of doing that, then yes, please, Write. We need you.

But if writing’s not accessible right now remember that living is a type of writing.

That there will be more space again. Or you will eventually have more capacity to make the space you need. 

If, on the other hand, you feel more driven than ever, ride that wave too. 

Pat yourself on the back. Celebrate every. single. win. Small and big alike. 

I’m in awe and inspired by you AND I honor my own need to go slow right now.

There’s room for all ways of being in the messiness of a writing life.

If you are feeling motivated to make 2021 a big writing year (or if you must in order to stay on track financially or work-wise), I’m including below -- as promised -- 3 Tips to Help You Write More in 2021.

And if you’re not feeling motivated, ignore those tips. No biggie.

Wherever you are on this crazy writing life ride, you’re not alone and it’s more than ok to be right where you are.

PS: I've written before about slowing waaay down in my writing life postpartum; this post (and the suggestions in it) might resonate with you in the current moment.

PPS: If what you're craving right now is some support as you clarify your writing priorities and make plans for your year, my workbook is still available until 2/6: Write Your 2021: Reflect, Set Intentions, and Chart a Course for Your Writing Life. With the workbook, you'll also gain access to a Group Check-in via Zoom (yay accountability) on February 7th at 10am PST.

May you write [more] in 2021 

*AND*

when in doubt remember what @WritersofColor recently told us on Twitter:

(Tweet from @WritersofColor on 1/13/21 reads: “it is ok if you aren’t writing because of the coup and it is also okay if you aren’t writing because of the pandemic and it is also ok if you aren’t writing because you do not want to”)

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