“A woman is like a teabag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Let me raise my cup of chai to you on that one, Spidey!
Firstly, can I say that as I read this quote, I was compelled to go and make myself a nice, hot, strong cardamom tea!
So, I’m back now with a steaming mug of tea, and a chocolate chip muffin to go with it, because, well, you need that sweet treat, too, don’t you?
I do believe I am about to really show the world just how strong a teabag of a woman I am, this year.
What with my ever-busy school career, being mum and wife, as well as dutiful daughter/daughter-in-law, I have now added signed author into the mix, which means I can’t just write when I fancy it, but I kinda really have to!
Snd I feel quite determined, to be honest.
I have a year to finish this first draft, but I want to get it done by the end of the summer holidays, so I have time to read it, get opinions, go through what I want to change, etc. before the whole submitting to the publisher.
It’s not as simple as picking up a pen or opening your document on your laptop, and writing, though.
You have to be in the right frame of mind, as well as free of other responsibilities, too, in order to fully embrace your writing time. Oh, and your writing mo-jo needs to be around, too!
It’s always been a bit of a sticking point for me. Because the children were a little younger, the last time I rushed to finish a manuscript, and the rest of the family weren’t that invested in what I was doing, I was stealing time, where I could.
But I did it.
This time, however, I have the support of all of the people around me. The kids are teens, which is great because they don’t (strictly) need me running around after them, picking things up, cleaning, feeding, etc., unless it’s the summer months and cricket has started… and Hubby Dearest is so much more aware of just how important my writing is to me. If you saw my Friday post, you’ll see the beautiful flowers and balloons he gave me as a Congratulations gift for having signed the contract!
Last night, I was up at 3.30am, after having slept a few hours, and ended up reading, to lull me back to the Land of Nod. Hubby Dearest asked me why I was reading, and not writing that book if I was up!
This was a first.
For a change he is actively encouraging me to go and hole myself up in my writing cave for whatever time I need, whenever I want, to continue to make my dreams come true. In the past, it was more of an annoyance, and if my laptop and constant tapping away at it was disturbing him, or at an unsavoury time, it would cause grief.
And you know what? I’m going to do this. I really am.
This month, I am blogging daily as part of Linda Hill’s #JusJoJan challenge, so I am carving out a little time every day to write the posts. This means I will be in a daily habit of writing, again. I will try and write on my Manuscript, twice a week, to start with, and once this challenge is done, that time I freed up, to write the posts daily, can be used to write WIP words!
Work will always be there.
School is a huge part of my life, but I have also come to realise, that though a job is important, it is not your life. If we go, we are replaceable in our place of work, whereas only we can be the ones to fulfil our dreams, and to be there for our families. So, I won’t bring the stresses of school life home, unless something dire happens, or it’s Ofsted!
Instead, my after-school hours are time for my family, for me, and for my authorly future!
(By the way, the tea is almost finished, but rather cool, now. I think I should make another cup!)
So, how do you organise your work/life balance, or your real life/dream life aspirations?
Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Jan 28, 2022 @ 22:28:57
Phew, I’m wiping sweat off my brow LOL you’re amazing, I have no idea how you do it all, bravo to you, you’re a power.
Also, I want to let you know that I have no idea why i’m not getting notifications that you posted something, so I’m going to subscribe again and hopefully that will fix it.
Have a wonderful weekend Ritu xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 29, 2022 @ 05:22:05
Aw thank you, Masha!
And, no worries. It happens, like that sometimes! 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 15, 2022 @ 12:41:38
Wishing you all the luck in the world. Then write the book about that one and we’ll all by it 💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 15, 2022 @ 12:42:17
Buy it… rather than by it… o Lord! 🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 15, 2022 @ 12:50:58
Ha ha!
LikeLike
Jan 15, 2022 @ 12:50:49
Thank you, Pauline!
LikeLike
Jan 11, 2022 @ 11:41:21
You got this, girl! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 11, 2022 @ 12:20:54
Thanks, Jennie@
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 12, 2022 @ 02:33:48
You’re very welcome!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 11, 2022 @ 08:30:44
Umm? I am not sure women like being in hot water!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 11, 2022 @ 12:20:08
We spent most of our time getting others out of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 10, 2022 @ 13:03:18
Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:19:06
Definitely balancing is a difficult and challenging task but we need to balance for the stability or else no option..
Nicely written Ritu..✍🏻👌🏻
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:37:11
Thank you, Athira! We have tontry, at least!
LikeLike
Jan 10, 2022 @ 10:05:56
Yes we must
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 10, 2022 @ 00:57:45
Rooting for you sis … I don’t know how you do it! My blog time is stolen time, and I don’t get any support from hubby…. Love him as I do he doesn’t get it … 💜💜💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:04:43
It’s never easy, Sis. Mine was the same. It’s why I got him to come to the Bloggers Bash, so he got how much it meant to me! 💜💜
LikeLike
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:38:19
It’s strange isn’t it 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:43:30
True!
LikeLike
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:38:59
I don’t think mine will ever see what I see 💜💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:43:59
It is hard if they don’t understand, Sis, i know…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 10, 2022 @ 07:08:43
Hey ho! 💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 10, 2022 @ 00:31:54
Also a big “Thank you” for the inspiration you give, Sis! You are having a wonderful “new normal”. Take care of it. I also agree with Geoff. You are sounding less like a teabag, and more as a squirrel, this time. Lol Best wishes, Michael
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:07:26
Ha ha! Thank you, Bro!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 10, 2022 @ 13:24:41
😉 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 10, 2022 @ 00:29:08
Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 10, 2022 @ 00:07:39
Such an inspiration post, Ritu!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 10, 2022 @ 06:08:25
Thank you, Leanne 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 21:08:51
I’m about to start a new semester this coming week, so we’ll see how “balanced” my life/work/passions are. LOL
As I had predicted, we will be starting the semester online, at least until the end of January. Covid is soaring here, causing me to stay to myself and to postpone that needed bronchoscopy until Spring Break.
I hope things are calmer there.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 21:17:57
Please stay safe!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 12, 2022 @ 22:58:46
We are having a soft opening–online until Feb. 1st, then “they” will evaluate and decide what comes next.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 13, 2022 @ 06:09:11
Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 18, 2022 @ 00:27:17
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 17:28:51
Balance seems impossible, but I mostly manage 🙂 Constant shift of priorities! You will make good tea!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 17:29:50
Thank you, Joey! We have to move with the times!
LikeLike
Jan 09, 2022 @ 17:05:09
Your work/life balance is fascinating because, as you point out, all of the other aspects of your life continue to evolve, and so does your creative process!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 17:27:56
I’ve come to that age where I’ve realised if I don’t make tye changes no one else will, so I have to, if I want to progress.
Better late than never, eh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 18:13:07
A constant evolution, all for the better!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 18:16:57
Here’s hoping!
LikeLike
Jan 09, 2022 @ 15:57:46
I know you can do it, Sister 🙏🏽 it will be a juggling act but you can handle it! 🙏🏽💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 16:09:41
Thank you for your faith, Brother 💜🙏🏼
LikeLike
Jan 09, 2022 @ 18:50:36
You’re welcome, Sister, always 🙏🏽💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 15:02:38
Ritu, I love anything that begins with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. By the way, watching the Ken Burns’ documentary series on the Roosevelts – Teddy, Eleanor and Franklin – an interesting assessment is made by a Republican who was among the founding United Nations US delegates led by Eleanor. After seeing her in action, the man said “I take back every bad thing I ever said about Eleanor Roosevelt.” Keith
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 15:20:36
Thank you for the recommendation, Keith!
LikeLike
Jan 09, 2022 @ 12:12:33
It’s all about moving into what feels good from what doesn’t! If it works for you, the strength is in honoring yourself!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 13:11:18
I’ll surely keep trying to do that, Sis!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 11:36:12
You are a stronger woman than you realize, Ritu ! Family/school needs apart, you WILL achieve your goals, by hook or by crook as they say…especially as you have an understanding husband.I have one too, so know how important that is. It helps spur you on to satisfy their faith in you…The very best of luck. Hugs x
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 11:55:32
Thank ypu so much, Joy. We are lucky, aren’t we? Counting every blessing 🙏🏼💜
LikeLike
Jan 09, 2022 @ 10:38:44
I am determined to make more of an effort this year, once we recover from the last one, of course…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 11:22:36
You got this. We got this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 18:33:38
💕🙏🏻
LikeLike
Jan 09, 2022 @ 10:08:04
you will do it, i have no doubt. it sounds like you’re finding a great balance and i’ve learned to do the same over time and it makes all the difference
LikeLiked by 3 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 10:09:25
It’s all about making habits! Thanks, Beth!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 09:31:21
A teabag? More one of those bouncy balls you can’t stop going up and down… I get the need to squirrel time. Good luck with it.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 09:44:53
Ha ha, yes, there are definitely times when I feel like one of those rubber balls!
Thank you, His Geoffleship!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jan 09, 2022 @ 09:25:27
I’m cheering you on and hoping that you find enough time. I always struggle to have time for fiction. By the end of the day I am pretty tired and it’s hard. I was intending to hit the ground running in Jan but my father was hospitalised last week which has thrown a spanner in the works. I find the day job pretty all consuming as well – working as a freelance writer means I write all day anyway, so it can be draining to do it in the evening, especially with constant interruptions from teens. But like you, I am determined this year, so I shall be trying to fit it in where I can. Let’s do this! CJ xx PS Any productivity tips you have gratefully received!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 09:44:00
Oh no! I hope your dad is okay, CJ. Family is THE most IMPORTANT thing in life.
I think, initially, the first thing to do is remember that even if it’s only 100 words a day, even that adds up, and a short burst, daily, becomes a habit which you can begin to extend as it becomes ingrained in your routines!
Good luck, my lovely!
LikeLike
Jan 09, 2022 @ 22:21:24
Thank you Ritu 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 05:15:27
Balancing life is a difficult chore. You have the right mindset. You Go Girl
LikeLiked by 2 people
Jan 09, 2022 @ 09:00:11
I’m going to try my best! 🤗🤗
LikeLiked by 2 people