My One Piece of Paper Solution to Overwhelm
Hi, friends!
I’m loving November (Hello, Summer!) but I’m also a bit tired. Are you the same?
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I do this simple thing. I’m almost embarrassed to share it because it’s so basic, but it helps me EVERY TIME. Maybe it will also help you.
I keep a block of A3 paper on hand, and whenever I feel stressed and overwhelmed, I grab a sheet and a sharpie. Then I brain dump everything major that’s waging war in my head onto the page. I usually chunk out my thoughts by month, with a few lists as well.
It’s become my go-to coping mechanism. (So much healthier than chocolate, right?)
One big piece of paper, with everything on it.
Sometimes I stick the page up on my wall in the study, replacing as I write new ones. Sometimes I just look at everything in one spot, and then I transfer jobs to To Do lists. Sometimes I stare at the sheet and breathe and remind myself that it’s do-able and not as jumbled and overwhelming as I thought.
Why does it work?
There’s magic (for me!) in the relief of putting everything in one place, outside myself, and in seeing it visually at one time…not in a series of lists. Maybe it will also work for you!
And now for some fun…
Since Jacaranda Snow launched, I’ve had SO MANY people ask if they can meet me for lunch or coffee to talk about writing their own picture books. You guys, it’s a super fun thing to do. But I’m running out of time to meet up and share (cue: feeling overwhelmed!), so I put together an e-book for anyone interested.
Here it is:
My e-book distills everything I learned in two years of expensive writing courses (plus the 10 years I spent doing it all wrong). It’ll set you on the right track to write your first viable picture book, if you want to!
It’s easy, fast and streamlined. I’m a good teacher!
If this sounds like fun and you’ve always wanted to try writing your book, you can buy it here. You’ll get it now, because it’s an e-book! You could write your book today!
Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Be fun to live with!
Love Catherine x
