Hi Reader,

I have had a terrible couple of days. A fender bender that was my fault. My dad’s car that I was lucky enough to borrow had a dead battery. A nasty HOA meeting, an incompetent doctor’s office, and family drama. Whew! As I was stomping around my kitchen yesterday morning because my coffee pot had inexplicably not turned on, I thought of the children’s book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. Yep, that’s what was happening.

In life, it seems like when one thing goes wrong, often it is the start of a tsunami of bad luck. I find it very hard to be productive and creative when I am in a bad mood. How do you shift your attitude when things are not going your way? Whether you are having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day like me and Alexander or dealing with a tragedy like the death of a loved one, how can you get out of your funk (even temporarily) so that you can create?

Finding Solace in Goofing Off

If everything is going wrong, sometimes the simplest thing to do is stop. Stop your day and change your plans. Give yourself grace and recognize today may not be the day to start that new project, write that scene, or paint that painting. Instead, do something that fills your creative well.

What are your favorite things to do? Walking always helps me recenter. Maybe you sneak away to the movies. Or play video games for a few minutes. Try soaking in a bubble bath. Changing your routine or changing your location will help your emotions reset. You will feel better, and it will be easy to get back on track.

Seize Control Through Creativity

This next approach to getting out of your funk is the complete opposite from taking a break. Instead, dive into your creative work. One of the few things we can control is our writing. If you are in a bad mood or got bad news, the best way to get out of it is to write. The more we create, the better we get, the more things we have to market, and the easier it is to make a living. One of the most wonderful things about being a writer is you can do it anywhere, anytime. No one has to give you permission to write. So, if you got a no on your latest project, the best thing you can do is write another one. Escaping into your story will always make you feel better.

I hope all of you are having an easy and wonderful week. But if things are hard, try these tips and let me know what you think.

In Case You Missed It

​Creating Worlds That Jump Off the Page​

​How to Write by the Seat of Your Pants​

​Idea Generator #2: Childhood Literary Heroes ​

Cheers,

Lindsey

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