S.R. Crawford's Blog, page 18

How to develop an intuitive writing practice

I thought about this concept randomly the other day and wanted to see if there’s more information out there about it. Because to me, it sounds like a really gentle, creative, and flowy way to write. Writing not by routines or goals (alone) but in line with your intuition. Your inner knowing.

What does this mean?

Firstly, if you’re not very spiritual or you’re a logical and practical thinker then this post is probably not for you (though feel free to stick around out of curiosity, you never know, it may resonate!).

Writer’s Digest defines intuitive writing as “letting go of outlines, plans, and expectations and allowing the power of your intuition to guide you through the writing process. Intuitive writing is creating with your heart first, and not your mind.”

This sounds a little like pantser writing, where you don’t know what will happen next in your story. But I don’t think that’s all it means. I think it means one simple thing: being less rigid in your process.

What this means for me is letting go of any ideas of perfection. It means allowing yourself to write a lot on one day, and not write at all on another day. It means not forcing yourself to sit and write if it doesn’t feel right and intuitive for you to do so right now. Maybe you need time away, to look after yourself or enjoy yourself before coming back to write when your cup has been refilled.

This summer, I’ve done really well in my writing. As of writing this, I am close to 50,00 words written in just over 3 weeks. That’s amazing. That’s better than I’ve done before (I think). However, I haven’t been writing all day every day just because I’m off on summer break. Instead, I am writing in sprints.

These are timed writing sessions of around 25 minutes each time. I can, in a good session, write about 1,000 words in this time. So pretend this is a hard rule, I have managed 50k words through 50×25 minute sprints. There’s 21 days in 3 weeks, so 50 / 21 is just over two sprints a day. Less than an hour of active writing a day!

Now of course, this isn’t really how it worked. As I say, I had long days when I did more sprints, and days when I did nothing or just one. Again, ebbs and flows. If you follow my Instagram (@Writersrcrawford), then it may seem like I’m writing all the time. I’m not. I’m writing when it feels right. I have a routine/joy of writing first thing in the morning, as it sets the tone for my day. But sometimes it’s hard to wake up and do it. That’s okay. Sometimes I write in the morning, but then spend the day with my husband and our dog afterwards!

Another thing to consider is what I found in an article on Medium, “Masculine energy is the goal-oriented, process and systems, action-taking energy. Feminine energy is more fluid, organic, receptive, and passive.” I think intuitive writing is feminine energy. More going with the flow, tending to your needs, and being gentle in your writing practice, rather than forced goals and powering through.

All energy types are needed and valid in our lives, though.

We need a greater understanding of our energies within. Energy doesn’t just mean how tired or lively you feel. According to Science Daily, “Energy in spirituality, refers to a widespread belief in an interpersonal, non-physical force or essence.” It’s our lifeforce. Energy effects many things: our relationships, our thoughts, our emotions, our creativity, our sexual desires, our decision-making, anxiety, digestion, sleep, pain and recovery, awareness and focus, and so much more. Understanding your energy and working with it is key to being an intuitive writer, and maybe even a healthier writer, too.

What can we do to be more intuitive writers?

Sit down to write and let whatever comes flow out without questioning itJournal in stream of consciousness oftenLet go of what we planned to get done and just writeTake breaks away from writing so we can get into flow when we do writeTend to our energy with things like yoga, stretching, meditation, walking mindfully, massage, accupuncture, etc.Let your characters take over (it’s always better to do this, let them make decisions to effect the plot!)Rest often/ take breaksDon’t force writing sessions when it doesn’t feel rightWhen inspired, write (no matter what)Let go of deadlines or word counts – enjoy the process to writing for the joy/practice/discoveryLet a scene be what it isLet yourself write messy drafts Use mantras and affirmations (even meditations) to slip into your creative energyActivate your sacral chakra which is your creative centre: “includes eating a decadent meal, luxuriating in a hot bath, and enjoying a massage. Physically, the goddess pose, pelvic rock, and hip circles. Dancing is also effective.”

I’m still working on this. As I said, both masculine and feminine energies are needed in life. This is the ebb and flow. The yin and yang. The balance of energies and ways of writing/creating. Knowing which you need at each moment of life, is the key here. Tune in, listen, pay attention, and see what works for you.

Sincerely,

S. xx

Mommy’s little girl (poem)

Mommy’s little girl

Stands silently aside

Never fussing or fretting

Hides what’s inside.

Mommy’s little girl

Has a voice unheard

Whispering. Screaming.

A fiery bird.

Mommy’s little girl

Doesn’t know who she is

This Phoenix of power

That comes from within.

Mommy’s little girl

Has a story to tell

But mommy is speaking

And we mustn’t yell.

Shush, little girl

Come, sit down.

Why I should write today! (Motivation for writers)

Today I wanted to bring you some quickfire motivation to get writing. Some of these are silly or funny, but ALL of them are subjective. Don’t take them to be accusatory or rude!

Why I should write today (and so should you!):

Because I want to, deep down, I’m just overthinking itBecause I will never be a successful writer who can make a living on my writing if I don’t practice and writeBecause I didn’t write yesterdayBecause I have the time to write (and aren’t I always wishing I had time to write?)Because I have so many story ideas that I need to start turning into booksBecause the world is waiting to read what I have to sayBecause my characters will be angry at me if I don’tBecause I can’t find a book I like, therefore I must write oneBecause my ideas are cool and I need to work on themBecause it’s the only way I will get betterBecause it’s funBecause every sentence I write can’t be utter crapBecause the act of writing is an act of discoveryBecause I like writingBecause I’m good at itBecause the people who love me want to see me succeed at my dreamBecause I just read a bad book and I think I can do better Because it’s a challenge and I like challengesBecause I want to see if I can do itBecause I want to prove my fears and self-doubt wrongBecause I know I can write a good storyBecause people want to read my workBecause of my future fansBecause my children want their mother to succeedBecause I’m tired of starting and never finishingBecause I’ve read lots of amazing books and I know what makes a story workBecause I’m boredBecause I want/need to escape from reality for a whileBecause I need to prove my haters wrongBecause younger me wants me to make it

Happy writing!

Sincerely,

S. xx

What to do when you’re too tired to write

For two days now, I’ve felt too tired to write. It’s been justified after long days out. We all have those days. Some may say that the best thing to do is to power through. Sure, if that’s possible; go ahead. It depends on what you need. Sometimes the kindest thing to do for yourself and your work is to power down instead of powering through!

Here are some things to do instead of writing that will actually help you to write next time:

Pinterest dive

When you’re really tired but you want and need to work on your story, why not hit up Pinterest? It’s the best app and website for me. I adore it! It has a wealth of effortless inspiration for everything in your life, including your stories. Follow my Pinterest boards here.

Yes, scrolling on Pinterest can be a waste of valuable time. But when you go on there with intention, you are potentially helping your story. You can find images to inspire and enrich your characters, your setting, your magic, your mood, your aesthetic, names for people and places, history, clothing, everything!

Watch videos

Again, potentially a naughty one when done without awareness and intention. But watching videos about writing or worldbuilding etc can be the perfect inspiration and motivation to get started. Especially if you’re a beginner (but not limited to beginners), you can gain valuable advice that can help your work.

YouTubers who talk about writing that I follow:

Abbie EmmonsHello Future MeChristy Anne JonesMerphy NapierQuotidian WriterSincerely, VeeKate Cavanaugh Writes

Reading your work

Reading over the last bit your wrote is a great way to still be engaging with your story without having to write. Sure, you can edit if you want to. But just reading it can be enough to feel good and like you haven’t abandoned your story on your days off.

Brainstorm

I love a good mindmap because it lets you be creatively free to explore lots of random ideas without them needing to make sense or connect. If there’s an area of your story that needs a little work, write it at the centre of a blank page: MAGIC SYSTEM, MAIN CHARACTER, SIDE CHARACTERS, EMOTIONAL JOURNEY, whatever. Then, go wild. Build from any random ideas that come into your head. Get out the bad ideas to leave room for the good ones to find you.

Character interviews

It’s always a good idea to work on your characters. Keep asking yourself key questions. Who are they? Even better, ask the character themselves!

Why did you do that?

Why do you want this?

What are you afraid of and why?

What do you need to learn to get what you think you want?

What is really going on here?

Even if you think you know your characters pretty well, time away from your manuscript speaking with your characters and going deeper into their minds and backstory is never wasted time – even if it doesn’t make it into the story, it still adds depth to your characters and influences their decisions and reactions.

Read

Reading is a key part of being a writer. You don’t need to read fast or a lot compared to other people, but if you’re writing books, it’s a good idea to read some, too! It helps you to know what you like in a book and what you don’t. It helps you understand genre, structure, and depth. If you’re reading something popular, ask yourself what might make this appeal to so many people.

Reading is a gentle activity and an important one for writers. Take some time away from your world and slip into another one. However, be careful not to compare your writing to published books. They have been edited A LOT and by A LOT of people. So comparison isn’t kind or fair to you.

Watch tv (but take notes)

I’m so naughty! Instead of writing, just watch the telly. I’m joking but I’m not. Television shows are written first!Crazy, I know! Someone thought about the characters, the plot, and the setting just like we do for our books. Therefore, watching tv shows can actually help us with our writing. But, you need to wear your writing cap while watching.

Ask some questions:

Who are the main characters and what do they want?What is stopping them from getting it?Why does this location work for this story?Who is a villain and why?Why do I care about the characters?Why do I want to keep watching? What questions do I need to be answered?How is visual storytelling playing a major role here and how can I bring that into my stories?

(Just because you’re writing a book and not a TV show or film, doesn’t mean you can’t learn A LOT about writing and engaging your reader from studying visual storytelling).

Look after yourself

Lastly, you’re tired. You can’t write right now; that’s okay. Take a nap. Go for a walk. Do some yoga or pilates. Go for a jog. Cuddle up with a good book or your pet. Have a cup of tea and a chat with someone you love. Play a game. Take a bath. Journal about your feelings of late. Go sit by a river. Paint. Call a parent/carer. Do a puzzle. Cook a good meal. Scrapbook. Sing. Dance. Meditate. Get a massage. Go swimming. Scream into a pillow. Book a therapy session. Get dressed up. Rewatch Harry Potter.

Live. Love yourself. Look after yourself. And live your life.

Your writing can live without you for a day. I know that lately I’ve been talking about and showing my fast writing process. But I’m also looking after myself and taking breaks. Writing yourself to death isn’t fun, so what’s the point?

Let me know what you’re working on.

Happy writing (or not!).

Sincerely,

S. xx

Anxiety update

I thought I’d feel different. I said to my sister not long before my wedding day that I felt like once the wedding was done, I’d feel euphoric. All anxiety would slip away. That I’d have done the “hardest thing I’ve ever had to do” and so I’d feel invincible. Makes some sense, right? Overcome a mountain and you’re stronger for it.

I still believe this is true.

Except I don’t feel euphoria. My anxiety hasn’t disappeared, leaving a mystical confident and self-assured version of myself.

I had a horribly anxious day yesterday, just because I was going bowling and out to eat with friends I’ve known for over 15 years!

My social anxiety has not gone away, it seems. It still has its claws in me.

I did a meditation on this day. It was for anxiety and overwhelm. I cried. I repeated the mantra “it’s okay.” And I reminded myself that this anxiety journey will take more time than I thought. Maybe forever. But I’ve gotten better. I’m not as ill as I once was. It doesn’t control me as much. And so, with each year and each brave thing I do, I’ll get better and better.

But it won’t disappear quickly. It’ll slip away in millimetres. Almost unnoticeable. Until maybe, just maybe, one day I’ll look back and say, “wow, the prison has gone.”

I hope so.

But part of me knows I might need to be realistic and assume that anxiety will be a passenger in my metaphorical car long term. I just need to minimise it into a smaller voice in the car with everything else. The other passengers being creativity, love, compassion, and bravery.

Maybe my anxiety will become the annoying little dog that yaps along the car journey, but you tell it to be quiet and ignore it as you go! Instead of the driver. Never the driver.

Luckily, it hasn’t been the driver for a while. More so the loud, arrogant front passenger who tells you how to drive even though their instructions are rushed, rough, and often wrong.

So anyway. It’s here. It’s frustrating to accept but I must. I am hoping to learn more about the body. I think I have a foundation of knowledge about the mind and psychology. I’ve been to therapy many times. I have a counsellor I can book an appointment with when I need her to help clear the mental clutter. I have tools in my toolbox: journaling, therapy, walks, yoga, exercise, time with family, crying, laughing, creating; meditating and so on.

But I need to learn more about the physical body. How anxiety is influenced by the foods and drinks I consume. My hormonal changes. My gut health in general. My anxiety is very much a stomach virus that attacks from my centre. And so, I want to learn more about that and try to influence it consciously.

We’ll see.

Mantra: I am still capable of living my life, and worthy of love, even when I have to deal with my anxiety.

Sending my fellow anxious bugs all the love and understanding I can throw across the ether. Look after yourselves. You’re not alone. You’re not crazy. You’re not incapable.

Sincerely,

S. xx

How I’m writing so fast this summer

I started writing my new Young Adult Fantasy Dystopian novel on the 26th July. I am now 20,000 words into the story. That’s 20,000 words written in just 10 days. I feel like I’m writing very fast. I already did a post about how I plan to write this summer, which is similar to this. But here’s how I have achieved this so far.

Breaks

I have taken many breaks between writing. Yes, I have a lot of time to write because I’m off from work and university over the summer for 6 weeks, but this does not mean I am writing all day.

Repeat: I am not writing all day!

Instead, I write in sprints. Writing Sprints are timed active writing sessions. I use 25-minute sprints, where I set a timer for 25 minutes and aim to write until the timer goes off. Sometimes I want to carry on, but I mostly stop on purpose. Why? So that next time I sit down to write I know what I’m writing next and I’m excited to get back into it.

In between these sprints, I take breaks. I live my life! I read, do yoga, work out, walk the dog, see people, blog, eat, watch TV, stretch, clean, and so on. I can do about 1k during a 25-minute sprint. Of course, not always, but usually 800-1000 words if I’m focused.

Looking after myself

As I say, just because I have a big writing goal for the summer, it doesn’t mean I am neglecting everything else in my life. You need to look after yourself in order to be successful in your goals. You need to sleep, eat, drink water, move your body, and check in with yourself.

Don’t neglect your needs in order to get more done

Breaks are productive. Looking after yourself is productive. You are more likely to show up and do well when you’re feeling healthy inside and out.

Plotting

Thinking ahead is useful when you sit down to write. If you’re a “pantser”, someone who makes it all up as you go along, you may find yourself lost at times and having to write much more slowly. When you know (even loosely) what is happening next, it helps you sit down and get right to it.

Don’t get me wrong, I make things up, but I generally know what needs to happen in a scene before starting it.

Enjoying myself

Creative freedom is crucial to enjoying the writing process. As I say, I don’t plot so much that I have no freedom to make things up, too. I need that space to be creative and let the characters take the wheel and be spontaneous. It’s exciting! There has been a few time where I’ve said, “ooo that was so cool” or “OMG this is connecting to that other thing in a cool way I didn’t see coming” which is awesome.

Knowing my characters

Knowing your characters means you know what choices they will make. You know them. You enjoy them, for one reason or another. You want to tell their story. You’re excited to do it justice. When you know them, it helps you to write faster because they are alive and basically whispering in your ear telling you what should happen next.

Accountability

Accountability is a great motivator. You sometimes need someone to know what you’re doing so that you feel a little “friendly pressure” to get things done! I have been very active on my Instagram, treating it like a YouTube channel almost. This means people are seeing my progress. They’re watching me and expecting me to reach my goals because I’ve shown them the inside of my process.

Consistency

Consistency but not rigidity is crucial for my writing process this year. I am writing every day but not setting a word count goal. I didn’t reach 20k in 10 days by consistently writing 2k a day! I did it by writing 1k here, 500 there; 3k here, 5k there. In fact, I think this ebb and flow way of writing helps me to feel less boredom from my writing. I kind of get a “day off” by writing less one day, then I come back with a vengeance the next day and write more than expected!

But to write fast, you do need to keep writing. Even if you only write a paragraph. That’s still one paragraph more than you had yesterday.

Cutting to the chase

I have been cutting the fluff and getting right into it. Instead of taking a long time setting the scene, I give what’s needed and then get right into the core stuff. Especially with first drafts, you don’t need all the added fluff (descriptions, unnecessary conversations, etc). It just isn’t important yet. Instead, it sometimes slows you down.

There you have it, how I have been writing quickly this summer. Are you writing anything? Let me know!

Happy writing, fellow writers!

Follow my writing Instagram for updates and writing advice @writersrcrawford

Sincerely,

S. xx

Affirmations & Meditation for Creative Writers

I am a writer because I show up to write. My writing ability is not up for debate. I can and will enjoy myself when writing because it is something that brings joy and growth into my life. Writing is a state of freedom and creation.

Each word I bring to the page comes together to form something unique and beautiful for my readers. My writing is valid even if no one reads my work. My writing is for me, first and foremost. My characters have a story to tell, and it is my duty to tell it. I can and I will.

It is important that I look after myself – mind, body, and spirit – so that I can be a healthy me and therefore a better writer. I will not turn my writing into something I hate or find a chore to complete. My writing is a gift I give to myself. On days when writing is hard, this doesn’t mean I have failed. There are good days and bad days, but I write anyway.

I grant myself permission to write bad stories. I grant myself permission to write messy drafts. I grant myself permission to make mistakes.

I write because I have something to say. What I have to say matters.

I write because I love stories. My stories matter.

I write because the world needs my work. My work matters.

I can write today. I will write today. No matter the outcome, my time writing is never wasted.

I love being a writer. I will continue to write as long as it brings me joy and fulfillment.

I married my best friend!

We did it. On Saturday, we finally did it. The day has come and gone by so quickly. I won’t go into the intimate details of our day, as it’s private and for our closest people to share with us only. But it was magical.

Everyone says that their wedding day was the best day of their lives. I understand that more so now. By no means do I think it will be the happiest or best day of my entire life. But it’s up there! I didn’t expect to feel so many emotions in one day. The good and the bad. Anxiety, dread, fear, excitement, joy, love, calm. I felt it all, sometimes all at once.

Anyone who knows me well or has kept up with my content knows that I was apprehensive about getting married. There is a lot of nuance to this feeling/decision. In the end, we decided to wait until I finished university so I could think and plan with a clearer head. Good idea, right? Well, this year I felt more ready. That’s the only way I can put it. I didn’t feel as much resistance about it and because other people stopped talking about it, I was able to ask myself and Patrick what we actually wanted and needed for the day.

In the end, we kept it small. There were 20 people at the ceremony at the registry office. I had the beautiful dress I wanted and Patrick the handsome suit. He finished his ensemble the day before, which really worried me, but it worked out well! No fancy colour scheme for the guests. My mom made my bouquet out of paper.

My grandad walked me down the aisle, as I wanted. I’m so grateful that I was able to do that with him, as sadly with time, you worry about whether your grandparents will still be around for much longer. I’m so happy they were there for my special day.

There were a lot of jokes and banter at the wedding. This was perfect for me. Patrick had the registrar in bits! It reminded me of why I love him; his pure, genuine energy. It settled my nerves right away. From my nephew eating breadsticks during the ceremony, to me fumbling over which hand was the right one for the rings, it was perfect! I love the cracks of imperfect things. The moments that are real and raw and unfiltered.

We took MANY beautiful photos out in the morning summer sun in the courtyard at the registry. We ate brunch at the Mailbox. We drank, we laughed, we were merry.

My anxiety set in during the middle of the day. It’s like once my mind had a chance to stop and think, it went overboard. Luckily, my mom came to help set up for our bbq and helped me to calm down. Once I was busy with my guests, I felt okay. As a very introverted person and someone with some social anxiety, hosting our first bbq with over 30 people and on our wedding day of all days, it was safe to say I felt uncomfortable! However, I anticipated this and so I walked people to their cars as they left for some fresh air. I walked the dog for some alone time. I slipped off upstairs for a breather. I think I handled it well, considering!

All in all, it was a perfect day. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. My one regret was that I didn’t throw caution to the wind and dance my sandals off during our bbq! I wish I’d danced with my husband, too. But we have years to dance together ahead of us.

Thank you, sincerely, to everyone who came for our special day. The people who shed tears with us. Those who laughed with us. Those who helped set it all up. Those who contributed in some way. Those who gifted us for our honeymoon. Those who sent lovely messages and cards and congratulations. It is all very appreciated. We feel so loved.

It’s strange because for the last three months everything was about the wedding. It was like I couldn’t see beyond it. Now that it’s done, it’s like “what now?” which is an unsettling feeling. But I am reminding myself that nothing is required of me except to just be. It’s summer break so I can do just that, take a break! Write and read and enjoy the sun and people’s company. Recharge and rest for the coming of a new school year at work, my final year of university, and hopefully an amazing trip to South Africa in the Winter for our honeymoon.

As I had to remind myself for the wedding, it’s about taking one step at a time. That’s all we can do. If I think about forever in our marriage, I get overwhelmed. But forever is composed of nows, and right now, being married to my best friend is easy.

Sincerely,

S. xx

I got married to my best friend!

We did it. On Saturday, we finally did it. The day has come and gone by so quickly. I won’t go into the intimate details of our day, as it’s private and for our closest people to share with us only. But it was magical.

Everyone says that their wedding day was the best day of their lives. I understand that more so now. By no means do I think it will be the happiest or best day of my entire life. But it’s up there! I didn’t expect to feel so many emotions in one day. The good and the bad. Anxiety, dread, fear, excitement, joy, love, calm. I felt it all, sometimes all at once.

Anyone who knows me well or has kept up with my content knows that I was apprehensive about getting married. There is a lot of nuance to this feeling/decision. In the end, we decided to wait until I finished university so I could think and plan with a clearer head. Good idea, right? Well, this year I felt more ready. That’s the only way I can put it. I didn’t feel as much resistance about it and because other people stopped talking about it, I was able to ask myself and Patrick what we actually wanted and needed for the day.

In the end, we kept it small. There were 20 people at the ceremony at the registry office. I had the beautiful dress I wanted and Patrick the handsome suit. He finished his ensemble the day before, which really worried me, but it worked out well! No fancy colour scheme for the guests. My mom made my bouquet out of paper.

My grandad walked me down the aisle, as I wanted. I’m so grateful that I was able to do that with him, as sadly with time, you worry about whether your grandparents will still be around for much longer. I’m so happy they were there for my special day.

There were a lot of jokes and banter at the wedding. This was perfect for me. Patrick had the registrar in bits! It reminded me of why I love him; his pure, genuine energy. It settled my nerves right away. From my nephew eating breadsticks during the ceremony, to me fumbling over which hand was the right one for the rings, it was perfect! I love the cracks of imperfect things. The moments that are real and raw and unfiltered.

We took MANY beautiful photos out in the morning summer sun in the courtyard at the registry. We ate brunch at the Mailbox. We drank, we laughed, we were merry.

My anxiety set in during the middle of the day. It’s like once my mind had a chance to stop and think, it went overboard. Luckily, my mom came to help set up for our bbq and helped me to calm down. Once I was busy with my guests, I felt okay. As a very introverted person and someone with some social anxiety, hosting our first bbq with over 30 people and on our wedding day of all days, it was safe to say I felt uncomfortable! However, I anticipated this and so I walked people to their cars as they left for some fresh air. I walked the dog for some alone time. I slipped off upstairs for a breather. I think I handled it well, considering!

All in all, it was a perfect day. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. My one regret was that I didn’t throw caution to the wind and dance my sandals off during our bbq! I wish I’d danced with my husband, too. But we have years to dance together ahead of us.

Thank you, sincerely, to everyone who came for our special day. The people who shed tears with us. Those who laughed with us. Those who helped set it all up. Those who contributed in some way. Those who gifted us for our honeymoon. Those who sent lovely messages and cards and congratulations. It is all very appreciated. We feel so loved.

It’s strange because for the last three months everything was about the wedding. It was like I couldn’t see beyond it. Now that it’s done, it’s like “what now?” which is an unsettling feeling. But I am reminding myself that nothing is required of me except to just be. It’s summer break so I can do just that, take a break! Write and read and enjoy the sun and people’s company. Recharge and rest for the coming of a new school year at work, my final year of university, and hopefully an amazing trip to South Africa in the Winter for our honeymoon.

As I had to remind myself for the wedding, it’s about taking one step at a time. That’s all we can do. If I think about forever in our marriage, I get overwhelmed. But forever is composed of nows, and right now, being married to my best friend is easy.

Sincerely,

S. xx

Treat your life like a video game

I was thinking the other day about how our lives are like a video game! Let’s see what I mean…

Pay attention to the health bar

In video games, there is a health bar usually at the top which allows you to see how your character’s health is doing. That drops into the red, and they die! It’s not that dramatic in real life, except, it could be. If we keep ignoring our health (physical, mental, other) we may be doing irreparable damage in the long run.

Instead, let’s learn from video games and keep a constant awareness of our health. Create routines that can act as a check-in for your health in all areas. Journaling to check-in with the mind, doctors visits, stretching, sleep diary, conversations, jogs, etc.

Experience points

Gain experience points if you want to level up. You need to actively try new things in order to gain experience and therefore learn new skills. This helps you to complete the harder levels in the game. The same is true for real life. The more experience you get from trying things and practicing, the more confident and competent you become over time. Confidence and competence creates a happier, more successful you.

Can’t beat the boss straight away

You can’t beat the big boss at the end until you level up. If you start the game and go straight to the big boss level, you will lose! In real life, I hope you don’t have any enemies (lol), instead remember that those big goals or milestones don’t need to be rushed. Take your time. Learn what you need to along the way so you’re better prepared for the big final mission!

Unlock new maps by exploring

In video games, you can unlock new maps by exploring the area. The game is much larger than the missions. Sticking to the path of the story means you miss out on all the extra locations and people you could see around the game. In real life, this means traveling! Don’t stay in your comfort zone. Don’t restrict yourself to the city or country of your home and work. Expand your world map and horizons by exploring the world around you as much as you can.

Don’t create a small world for yourself

Information from others

In games, there are NPCs everywhere (non-playable characters). These characters are important because they give us information about a place, people, or mission. In life, it is easy enough to never speak to people who don’t “matter” to you. These are the people who you don’t work with, love, or care about. But in your workplace, there are people in roles who you never interact with but could be truly awesome people! They could be your best friend waiting to meet you!

Even if you don’t become friends, these people are information waiting to be accessed. They could have amazing stories to share; advice to give; answers to problems you have. Conversations go a long way, and having them with strangers can be invaluable.

Use your tools and skills

As you level up in the game, you will do yourself a disservice if you don’t use the new skills or tools you’ve unlocked. They are there for a reason. Many of us have amazing skills, talents, opinions, and resources that we don’t use or share. You don’t need to monetise these things, but using them for yourself goes a long way. It feels good, for one. But it also means you could take yourself to a new level by doing so.

Don’t hide your talents!

Respawn and try again!

And lastly, if you fail, you can re-spawn and try again. Okay, if you die in this life, I don’t think you come back. But in terms of failure, you most certainly do! We think failure means we will die of embarrassment and never recover. That is just a mindset. If you choose to see failure as a lesson learned, you are well-equipped to get back up and live to fight another day.

Try, fail, try again, fail, try harder, fail again…until you succeed!

Let’s level up and complete these missions! You got this.

Sincerely,

S. xx