De-Stressing, taking off a few of my hats

I wear too many hats I've decided. Can't keep up with everything these days. So, what to do?

Saturday we will have our last class at Writers Circle for this season. I will concentrate on changes I want to make in the studio and downstairs. I will have all winter to get things done.

My last class at TCCC ends in October and I will not teach again until next year. As much as I love teaching senior adults to write about their lives, I need time for myself now. 

When those two hats are hung up until next year, I will still have another hat on - working with individual writers and poets to help them complete goals for their writing. 

But this winter I will put in place a new schedule for the coming year. I will work more from home, in my studio, and will not be hosting as many out of town writers as I have done in the past. 

I have been asked to teach more at my studio instead of the college. I have also been told by several people that I don't charge enough for my classes. I know that, compared to other writers and teachers, my fees are very low, but hesitate to charge what I should. However, I must. The cost of living has increased and my fixed income has not. 

Lexie loves to ride in her car seat where she can see everything.

Plus--I have a second mouth to feed. Lexie eats like a small horse even though she is only 8 pounds. But the biggest expense of having Lexie is making my house and yard escape-proof. I  had a new gate built for my upper deck because she jumped the other one any time I left her out. I have to replace the carpet on my stairs and upstairs office because she thought the carpet was her special place to potty. All of this has been costly. But when she cuddles up with me and looks at me with those sweet eyes, I know I will work as long as I have to if it helps me keep this lovely little thing safe and happy, and keeps me from being angry at her for soiling my floors. She is a year old now and she is good about going outside but it is too late for my carpet. 

My goal is to make my life more stress-free and to spend more time with those I love. That will mean taking off some of my hats, I think. At least I am realizing that I need to take more time for me - to rest, to sit on my deck and enjoy my garden, to read some of the many books I've stacked up and never get to, and to watch my little dog play. Time passes way to fast. I have books to write and publish and the days grow short when you reach September. 

Finding Time to Write

For two hours today I enjoyed the company of five writers sitting around my table. For two hours I forgot about aches or pains, forgot about bills I needed to pay, forgot that my computer acts like dial up and Frontier has no answer for me, forgot that Direct TV has fouled up my television viewing and expects me to continue to pay them. I forgot that I must call the vet about my old friend, Rocky. I forgot I had bought several plants that must be potted soon. I forgot I still don't have my office moved upstairs, forgot I had a stopped up toilet, forgot I still haven't had those blood tests that were ordered, forgot I need to go to the grocery store, return something at Wal-Mart and have my car washed because a bird fell in love with itself in my sideview mirror.

In fact, for those two hours nothing mattered but the six of us in the room. My creative writing class was such fun today. Ginny brought some of her from scratch muffins. Lord, that lady can cook.
Staci amazes us when she takes a prompt and lets it lead her to a story that brings us to tears. Another woman writes like a pro, but needs to give herself permission to write. We can all relate, can't we?

I wonder how many writers have what it takes to do it, but just don't give themselves permission to put themselves first. We all hear it when we get together. How can we find the time? How do we still that little voice in our heads? "You need to do the laundry. You haven't cleaned the kitchen yet. Get up and sweep off the deck and the steps."
How do you, as a writer, find the time, or make the time, to write and submit your work? Give us your best advice.