Forest Playpark (c) Colin Brough

After a week away from life, this is my first day back at everything. I got back into my revisions on Sing, Sweet Nightingale over the weekend, but today I’m back at the day job, too. and it’s been a busy, hectic Monday. Definitely a Monday.

Getting back into life after a week in the fantasy land of traveling, cover shoots, cool weather, and family visits has been hard, but it’s something I’m going to have to get used to. Lots of traveling this year and probably even more next year! Letting myself slack off too much before getting back to work isn’t a good idea. Even if it seems like it at the time.

But how do you do it? In theory jumping right back in is great, but actually making your brain cooperate is something else entirely. My recommendation, and what worked for me this weekend, is having a routine. near the end of December, I started writing at Starbucks with my Surface. I would go to the Starbucks around the corner from my house and sit there for hours until they kicked me out or my brain started sending smoke out of my ears. I’ve done it so often since then, that it’s pretty easy for me to get down to work once I get to Starbucks. Unless something is actively distracting me (like someone sitting there talking to me), I’m usually pretty productive at Starbucks. Whether it’s a place, a time, or a soundtrack, setting up your own routine can be incredibly helpful when you’re suddenly coming back to work after days or even weeks away from your words. It doesn’t make going back to the day job any easier, but that’s a completely different problem. 😉

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I’ll check in again later this week. <3