Apparently, I’ve changed my schedule.
And I wasn’t even trying.
I’ve magically gone from ‘Vampire Hours’ to ‘Actual Human’ Hours.
And here’s why…
It’s probably because October was such a crazy month for me. In addition to the 30 Day Photo Challenge, I was bombarded with doctor appointments, hospital visits, blood tests, and even more doctor appointments. And most of those doctor appointments, hospital visits, and blood tests were scheduled way before noon, forcing me to get up, and out of bed, and showered, and dressed, and out of the house.
Lately though, I’ve waking up between 6:00am – 7:00am.
Without the use of an alarm clock.
WHAT?
I know.
I can’t believe it either.
But this seems to be working out for me.
I always function much better when there is real structure and a concrete routine. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I can’t seem to operate when flying by the seat of my pants anymore.
My new schedule goes a little something like this:
Morning ritual: drink coffee, smoke a cigarette, brush my teeth, wash my face, log into Facebook, update my status, and check my emails.
And the next thing I know its 9:00am.
[Does anyone know why the early morning hours go by so quickly? That’s a real question. And I’d like an answer. Please. ]
Anyway…
I like to spend the rest of my mornings writing a blog post for the next day in keeping with NaBloPoMo, before taking my lunch break.
Then, I spend my afternoons reading / commenting on other blogs, before taking my dinner break.
This way, I can still spend my evenings working on my novel, in silence, without any distractions, in keeping with NaNoWriMo.
And right before I go to bed, I try reading at least one chapter from whatever book is on my nightstand.
With all of this writing and blogging, I’ve spent countless hours at my desk, hovering over my computer, and now I think I’m developing a serious hunchback. And probably carpal tunnel syndrome. Oh well. Maybe my hunchback will go nicely with my facial hair.
I really haven’t been watching that much television. Which is super shocking, especially since I am usually glued to the TV. And I certainly haven’t been socializing in real life. It’s just that I really wanted to dedicate the whole month of November, to the written word, and as much as possible. And I am very happy about my decision to stick with all of my writing commitments. Even though I am deliriously exhausted.
However, I am finding it difficult to jump back and forth between my blogging voice and my novel voice, as they are completely different. My book is on the darker side and I think that’s why my blog posts have been falling flat, or even down right boring. It’s tough to come up with ideas for humorous posts when I’m so focused on the seriousness of the characters in my book.
Maybe when November is over, and I go back to posting once a week, as opposed to EVERY SINGLE DAY for the past TWO MONTHS – IN A ROW – it will become easier for me to transition?
In any case…
I would REALLY like to thank all of you for sticking by me and cheering me on through all of this. You have no idea how much it means to me. And you have no idea how much it gives me the strength I need to keep this up!
Y’all rock.
PS: I will be in the hospital today having a procedure and I probably won’t be able to read any of your blogs. But I will catch up with y’all tomorrow.
I wish I could get up that early without the use of an alarm clock. Unfortunately, I’m still very much a night owl. I try to change it, but the early morning routine never sticks for too long. I do enjoy it though. I feel 10x’s more productive when I get writing done before 9am and I can spend the day doing other things.
That’s the thing. Anytime I’ve TRIED to change into a day person, I’ve failed miserably. This just sorta happened on it’s own.
My dogs get me up early, so I know what you mean, the morning seems to fly by,no clue why? I will be waiting to hear about your results. Oh, and I have loved all your posting. I will be kind of sad when you go back to once a week (:
I hope your procedure today goes well. I am definitely a morning person so I have to cheer for your early morning activities.
I am finding writing on my blog every day to be “too much.” I am following through, but see posting every day is just more than people can read…. Makes me feel good about NOT posting every day!
You and I pretty much have the same schedule now. I get up at 5:30 and walk but by the time I get back and start my day it’s around 7:00. I spend in inordinate amount of time in front of the computer. Crazy..I have trouble rationalizing the time suck it has become. It’s really a good thing that I am not trying to write a novel as well. My family would no longer see me..ever.
Being retired, I don’t need an alarm clock anymore – thank goodness! My body clocks wakes me up 4:30-5:00 everyday which I love because mornings are the best part of the day IMO!
Awww! XOXOXO
I’m at the hospital now.
The injections are over.
Now we have to wait for the radioactive stuff to soak into my bones before they can scan me.
Thanks for the cheers! I need them!
EXACTLY.
I feel like I am harassing the internet.
But I made a commitment. And I will see it through to the end.
However, I will be writing more SHORT posts and using photos so people don’t have to spend TOO MUCH time over here!
XOXOX
My family HARDLY sees me these days.
WOOOOOOT!!!
I understand it, but oh, all the waiting, ugh! You know, your brain can get it but it still doesn’t make it easy. Hang in there!
Hey girl, just to let you know….your posts are NEVER boring or fall flat. And I really mean that. So thank YOU!
I agree….the morning hours go by so quickly. In fact, anytime I’m online the hours seem to fly.
For me, I can only post twice a week. Between posting, responding to comments, visiting other blogs and working, two posts seem to be just perfect.
I read in your comment to Lucy that you’re at the hospital. Hope all is going well, my Libra friend!
((((( You ))))))
X
I like having structure in my day, even if it’s self-imposed. And you’re right, where does the morning go??
I just read yesterday’s post as well as this one. I hope all goes smoothly with your scan!
I’ve never been a morning person and I’m grateful to have found a night job here in Peoria. I usually get up around ten in the morning, but I’m groggy till about noon. Sorry to hear things have been so crazy and I hope you get good news on the tests today! Thinking positively for you! AndI agree that your posts are never boring, keep on doing this thing you do!
I hope your procedure goes smoothly. Let us know how you are. Enjoy the anaesthesia. I had it recently for a colonoscopy. It was wonderful.
I need structure, too. When I was unemployed, I had one foot in the psycho ward. I was so distracted by everything. Following a makeshift schedule was a fantasy.
I also hate morning and Mondays. I used to tell people I wasn’t a Monday person.
What are you working on? I’ve been revising a memoir. 60k words.
Home! Exhausted! Passing out!
Are you okay?
I will be very happy to get back to my once a week posting schedule; this is way too much.
Especially while I’m writing a novel too!
But I will say this.
For me, it’s providing an extra boost of inspiration to keep plugging along.
I wrote every single night during the month of October too, and with that crazy photo challenge!
And I truly believe that forced me to back on track after spending the summer playing more than writing.
And now that I’m already in the habit of writing, every night, again, it doesn’t hurt to participate in NaNoWriMo.
Right?
But, I probably shouldn’t have ALSO signed up for NaBloPo.
That’s putting me over the edge!
However, I haven’t missed a day yet.
YAY.
Oh and yes.
I survived the scan. It was much easier to get through this knowing I had your love and support.
And while I’d love to share all of the funny and gory details, I’ve had a very long day, and I am totally-super-medicated. And I need to take a really long nap.
But before I pass out, I will tell you that my technician was incredibly amazing. For serious. And I loved the “IV Therapy Dream Team” for getting the needles into my hand for the radioactive nuclear injection with only ONE stick!
Thank you, Abby!
I’m home. Happy as HELL it’s over!
Awww! Thank you, Marty!
🙂
Morning? What’s that? Oh! that thing I only see when I have doctors, dentist or (more recently) hospital appointments?
Nothing you write is ever boring or flat. I have watched your writing get better and better over the past year or two and it’s NEVER boring 🙂
Rest, get a lot of rest, sending you a big virtual ((((hug))))
I love anaesthesia! I have to have a colonoscopy twice a year [stupd crohn’s!] but it’s the best sleep EVER.
Now that I’ve been unemployed for over a year, I finally feel like I have a REAL routine. The only thing that gets in the way are a million doctors appointments!
I actually LIKE Monday’s.
And I’ve been working on this damn novel forever. Luckily, I am making some really GOOD progress so, yay!
Much better now after I slept for four hours.
Radiology guy has to read the tests, write up the report, and send to to my doctor.
I am hoping to have the results by Friday-Monday.
Awwwwwww! Thank you, Babs!
And I am SO happy both of us made out okay at the hospital today!
🙂
XOXOX
Good! You don’t have to wait long
Lauren
Lauren Salkin
lasalk@gmail.com
Thank you! And hooray for not having to wait too long!
You GO, girl!
I truly admire you!
X
YIPEEEE! So glad to hear that you survived the scan and that the technician was amazing, Meleah!
“And I loved the “IV Therapy Dream Team” for getting the needles into my hand for the radioactive nuclear injection with only ONE stick.”
Yahooooooo!!!
OXOXXO
Aww. Thank you, Ron. XOXO
They were really SPECTACULAR. I couldn’t have had better treatment.
First of all, your posts are never flat, and I, for one, am thrilled that you signed up for daily blogging!
Second, I am so glad you got through this day, although I imagine the waiting is just as difficult. Still sending prayers and positive vibes your way.
Funny that you think getting up at 6 or 7 is early. Some of us have started work by that time. On my off days, I sleep IN til 6. 🙂 It’s a great time of day though, don’t ya think?
Thank you, Selma!
And I am really LOVING this whole daytime thing.
yes i have noticed that you’ve been up quite early. i like waking up early – the day seems longer. well it is longer i guess.
Oh well. Maybe my hunchback will go nicely with my facial hair. – ahahhaha. nice look, bring it with you in january.
i always enjoy reading your blog posts, fall flat not!
Thank you, Valerie!!!
I am SOOOO looking forward to January!
XOXOX
I’m still not used to seeing your early morning statuses, but I’m glad it’s working out for you, for now. Luckily, I only ‘have to be’ a morning person two days out of the week. And there’s nothing flat or boring about your writing, or you.
I love your early morning statuses and am so damn glad your new schedule is working for you. Sucks that it’s all about doctors, tests, and hospitals.
Did you know that it’s okay to simply write what’s on your mind without the need to find the funny? Just wanted to take your pulse on that one question since this post is just perfect. It’s not at all dark, it’s simply you. Your discipline is stunning.
Thank you, Jimmy.
Being a day person is still very surreal to me too.
Awwww…
Thank you, my sweet friend!
Go Meleah GO. You can do it. You are the awesome sauce!
I don’t know why the morning hours go by so fast, but I feel the same way. I’m so impressed with the way you’ve kept up with your writing commitments. If the new routine and schedule works, keep it up!
🙂
Thank you!
With all the stress you’ve been having lately, hell, I am surprised you are getting any sleep at all. A little change in routine can be expected. I am sorry I haven’t been keeping up with you lately – been off the grid. Hope that things can normalize a bit for you. BTW – I am up at the crack of early every morning as well (old habit).
I’m glad you back from being “off the grid” – I hope all is well?
Nice!