Mondays Just Aren't What They Used To Be

The pace of life when one is a writer is so different than the structured world of banking that there are times things seem completely backwards.  When I was driving to the office every day, weekends and holidays were the rewards for grinding it out during the week.  They were oases of rest, diversion, and relaxation that were eagerly anticipated and disappeared all too quickly, making Sunday nights as anxious as Friday nights were  relaxed.

Now that I'm writing full time, there is one crucial difference that changes everything.  I am spending those hours from Monday morning to Friday evening immersed in an activity that is totally inspiring to me.  When I'm not actually writing, I'm thinking about writing.  When I'm not designing newspaper ads and contacting newspapers, I'm thinking about the design of the ads and which papers might best reach my target audience.

The unusual result of this is that my weekends are now less enticing than my weekdays, which is completely backwards.

Don't get me wrong – the weekends are still very enjoyable.  Spending time with my family, catching up on things around the house, sharing holidays like Thanksgiving with extended family, seeing friends that visit only occasionally, and celebrating milestones like birthdays has lost none of its joy.

The difference is that I am inspired by what I do Monday through Friday now, rather than driven to do it by financial need, social obligation, family expectation, or because it was what I was trained to do so by God, I'd better do it.

This is a terrific situation to be in.  Sunday nights now feel like Friday nights used to, and Friday nights are still, well, Friday nights.

The reasons more people don't do what they are inspired to do are nearly infinite, but a big one is fear of financial disaster should they stop doing whatever it is that provides their weekly paycheck.  This is the end of the 17th month since my stable, "safe" career position was eliminated due to factors entirely outside of my control.  Financial disaster has yet to strike.  Our lifestyle has been supported without any changes (outside of not traveling as much, probably).  Our quality of life has improved exponentially.

So it is with excitement that I look forward to tomorrow morning when I can jump back into the world that is created through writing.  My fervent hope for you is that you feel the same anticipation for what awaits you when the alarm clock goes off.  Living an inspired life is an unparalleled adventure, and a gift for which I am unendingly grateful.  Read something today that inspires you!  Thanks for reading.  -Jon