Election, NaNo, Pandemic Holidays, Oh My!
Let's follow the yellow brick road to the end of 2020--anxiety included! Follow me!
A few days after the election and we're still not done...
It's Friday, 6 Nov 2020 at 5:50pm EST as I'm writing this. The only states left that are too close to call include Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Alaska and North Carolina lean red while Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania lean blue. The most important thing at this point is making sure we count every vote. Of course, this means my anxiety is high as we wait for the final tally.
Not that my anxiety changes the tally, but still...
Maybe it will?
(It won't.)
I need to remember to flush the bad stress while good moments stick around. This includes surfing through the month of NaNo and navigating the entire holiday season. Although, how will this change during the pandemic? Will anything change at all?
Type, type, typing through NaNo...
What the heck is NaNo, you may ask? Since I'm typing anyway... :D
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or NaNo) occurs during November and provides writers with the challenge of writing 50,000 words in 30 days.
O.O
Okay, don't panic. We've got this. Let's just break down the numbers to make the whole situation more manageable. Each day requires 1,667 words...but that's if you plan to hit 50,000 words by the end of the month. Sounds a lot more reasonable now, huh? Good.
But even knowing others might try to reach the 50,000 word rule--or even higher--there's no contract demanding you meet that amount. Some people don't have the time or maybe they don't have the energy. No matter the reason, some version of NaNo can still be achieved. In fact, this year I'm choosing to do a modified version instead. As long as I write something everyday, I've decided to count that as a win. And you can choose the version that works for you, too.
NaNo isn't an obligation. Maybe now you can let that stress go. Yes, 50,000 words by the end of the month is *a* goal but it doesn't have to be *the* goal. And whatever goal you make is good by me. (Make sure they work for you, too.)
Strange holidays continue...
Pandemic holidays...we've experienced them since March. The only difference now is we're numb to the weird dynamics. So, should these remaining 2020 holidays be fun, anxiety-inducing, intense, or non-existent?
For some, maybe all of the above.
No matter what's going on for you, these holidays are going to be bizarre. Just do your best and maybe the usual stress will melt away. Who knows?
Either way, I'm sending you holiday cheer.
Before I leave, take a breath...
Stress will always exist. That's part of life. But no matter what's happening on the way to the Emerald City, continue to breathe. You matter.
We'll be okay.
We'll push through this--whatever "this" may be.
We'll make it to the other side.
Cheers.