Month: December 2021

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Episode 74 – Boundaries Part 2

Mariëlle and Lucinda needed a second episode to continue the theme of boundaries and recognise their importance in establishing a healthy writing practice. In this episode, they consider what distracted them in the previous week as they reflect on improving their response in the future.

Boundaries are essential in all aspects of personal and professional relationships. Without them or when people cross them, it can make us feel unsafe or angry.

Firm personal boundaries are an expression of self-love as they communicate our expectations to ourselves and others. However, there are dangers if they become too fixed. We want or need to do things beyond writing, commitments to family, work, or even hobbies, and need to find a way for the boundaries in different aspects of our lives to work together.

Writing practice needs healthy boundaries so the people around us can know and respect our routines. Honour your boundaries. Make it easier for your family and friends to recognise that you value your writing by committing time and energy to the practice.


EXERCISE

Prentice Hemphill said, “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously.”

Write this quote out and place it where you can see it.

 

 

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Episode 73 – The Importance of Boundaries for Writers

In this episode, Mariëlle and Lucinda talk about establishing boundaries that allow them to write regularly.

Boundaries are not fixed and need to adapt and change, sometimes becoming the new normal. Boundaries are more membrane-like than a drawbridge where aspects of life can pass through while others need keeping out. Only you can decide what to allow inside and what to push out.

Anger can signify that someone is attempting to compromise one of your boundaries and demonstrates why it is vital to be conscious about where your boundaries lie. A strong sense of self-awareness supports conscious choice rather than mindless reaction.

EXERCISES

Boundaries are vital for any writer, but no writer is an island. We all have things we have or want to do beyond our writing.

Set your timer to ten minutes, grab your journal or open a new document on your computer, and make a list. What have you allowed to distract you from writing over the past week? Month? Year?

Take a good look at last week’s list of things you’ve allowed to distract you from writing. Of all the distractions you’ve written down, which are perfectly acceptable to you? Which aren’t?

Now write a new list only containing the distractions you’re more than willing to accommodate in your life. Pin it to the wall or keep it in another place where you get to see it regularly.

 

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