How To Beat the February Blues
By Lynn McPherson
I’ve always found my least favorite time of the year starts
sometime near the end of January and lingers until the beginning of March. I
suppose I could just call it February. It may be the ongoing cold weather or
the pinch of the holiday expenses coming in—I couldn’t say for sure. But this
year, as it quickly approaches, I’ve made the conscious decision not to let it
get the best of me. I’m going to beat the February Blues. I’ve come up with a
few ideas of how to accomplish this feat. I thought today I’d share my
thoughts, in case you find yourself with the same approaching aversion.
To start, I’m going to set daily and weekly writing goals. I
do this most of the time anyways, but in February I’m going to increase the
word count—just by a bit—in order to try to maximize my feelings of
satisfaction and achievement. It shouldn’t be hard to do—I have few social
engagements for the month and even less distractions that interfere with
writing time.
do this most of the time anyways, but in February I’m going to increase the
word count—just by a bit—in order to try to maximize my feelings of
satisfaction and achievement. It shouldn’t be hard to do—I have few social
engagements for the month and even less distractions that interfere with
writing time.
Next, I’m going to plan an overnight hotel stay with my
family using reward points I accumulated over the last few months of holiday
spending. Not anywhere far—just somewhere with an indoor pool and room service
so entertainment and dinner is covered. This might switch to UberEats, but the
point is that I will not have to prepare the food myself.
family using reward points I accumulated over the last few months of holiday
spending. Not anywhere far—just somewhere with an indoor pool and room service
so entertainment and dinner is covered. This might switch to UberEats, but the
point is that I will not have to prepare the food myself.
My last idea is to get outside more. I have all the gear I
need to stay warm out there. Instead of trying to avoid the cold and wish it
away, I will attempt to embrace it. I need to remind myself that the crisp air
will invigorate my spirit and get my endorphins going. Even a few minutes will
accomplish this challenge.
need to stay warm out there. Instead of trying to avoid the cold and wish it
away, I will attempt to embrace it. I need to remind myself that the crisp air
will invigorate my spirit and get my endorphins going. Even a few minutes will
accomplish this challenge.
So, there you have it. None of these are particularly lofty
goals. But if I aim too high, I may fail and then feel worse for it. It will be
an interesting experiment whether I can change my experience through thoughtful
planning and a better attitude. If anyone has other suggestions, I’d love to
hear them. It’s a work in progress, so these are just my initial ideas. I’m
open to add or substitute anything that might work.
goals. But if I aim too high, I may fail and then feel worse for it. It will be
an interesting experiment whether I can change my experience through thoughtful
planning and a better attitude. If anyone has other suggestions, I’d love to
hear them. It’s a work in progress, so these are just my initial ideas. I’m
open to add or substitute anything that might work.
Here’s to a great start!
Lynn McPherson has worked for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, ran a small business, and taught English across the globe. She has travelled the world solo where her daring spirit has led her to jump out of airplanes, dive with sharks, and learn she would never master a surfboard. She now channels her lifelong love of adventure and history into her writing, where she is free to go anywhere, anytime. Her cozy series has two books out: The Girls’ Weekend Murder and The Girls Whispered Murder.
I write a daily to-do list. I don't try for word counts, but I do try to write something every day. So my to-do might just be "work on latest book." I think goal setting helps as long as we don't make it unrealistic. Good post, Lynn, and good luck with the new strategy.
Thanks Judy. You make a good point about keeping the goals realistic. I like the idea of keeping your writing goal open, too. As long as you are writing regularly, it'll get done.