May Journalling Prompts to Help You Gain Perspective

I’m smack-dab in the middle of my writer’s retreat, but wanted to check in with you. The first week of my retreat I took advantage of the space to decompress, journal, and review what was and wasn’t working for me.

During one of my freewriting sessions, I reminded myself that nothing in publishing, games or fiction, is “fast.” It’s a slow business to get readers, to find players, to write, to submit, and to get published. Even self-publishing, which is not a path I wish to pursue for my fiction, does take time as well. Asking myself: “Why? Why did I get so stressed about a truth that I’ve learned long ago?” I realized that, while I enjoy Instagram reels and YouTube! clips for funny videos, the near-constant barrage of “Here’s the things you can do to improve yourself!” followed by “Here’s all the wonderful things I am doing!” began triggering compare/contrast comparisons that eclipsed joy gleaned from hilarious-to-me animal videos, amazing artists, and the discovery of new musicians. Comparing and constrasting my path, the path I’ve walked, with anyone else is absolutely Not The WayTM.

My solution was to take most social media apps off of my phone, including Instagram, and explore other means of engagement. I don’t know if there's a platform out there that doesn’t push algorithmic content in front of me, but I’ve identified it’s the algorithms (combined with bot-generated content) that are my issues with most platforms right now. I have gotten pretty good about avoiding or scrolling past posts designed to enrage me. If I like a post that shares a bit of wisdom, on the other hand, I just want to like that post—and not be inundated with 1,000 other posts in that category unless I choose to do so. Ugh! I know that “I” am the product, and these platforms are designed to capitalize my attention, but it’s frustrating AF.

Thankfully, turning off my phone has helped tremendously, especially during this quiet time. I’ve also spent quite a bit of time outdoors hiking and wandering this green, gorgeous part of the country. Combined, both have helped me regain perspective and have reminded me that regardless of what’s happening—either in publishing or the world at large—my work begins and ends with what I control, the blank page.

In an age of nonstop content, it’s very, very easy to lose perspective. I don’t know what your expectations are, mind you, or even if you’re experiencing similar frustrations with this latest iteration of social media shenanigans. I do, however, think it can’t hurt to journal about how you’re feeling, what your expectations are, and where you perceive your career to be—especially now.

With that in mind, here are some journalling prompts to help you gain perspective. Feel free to tailor these prompts to your needs:

1.) Are you happy with the state of your career? Why or why not?

2.) Are there external factors affecting your career? Can you identify them?

3.) List all of the aspects of your career that are and aren’t within your control.

4.) Are you stressed out? Can you identify where your stressors are coming from?

5.) What helps you find your center? Your sense of calm and fortitude to keep writing?

As you process your expectations, please be mindful of the fact that what’s realistic and what isn’t will vary from person to person. The element of luck is also not to be undermined, either. It’s just that, if you believe your next title will sell a million copies... Well, that might be an expectation you’d want to temper with the question: “What will you consider a success?”

Managing expectations is a good journalling topic to revisit from time to time, because expectations can and do change—and there’s no right or wrong answers. Yes, there are metrics in every industry that can help you ground your expectations, but sometimes the pragmatic reality of any industry cannot temper your feelings. Instead, consider this exercise as determining what’s “right” for you. Think, instead, of your expectations as a potential source of personal growth. Or, if you feel you don’t have the spoons to do that kind of analysis—you can always write down your thoughts and feelings and reread them at a later date, too.

With that in mind, I need to get back to the next project on my white board. Please stay fabulous. And if you aren’t feeling fabulous, I hope you find some joy soon.

Warmly,

Monica