A Step Back (In Hopes to Move Forward)

 
Time seems to be increasingly precious these days -- especially time in which I am not fretting over logistical life stuff. The months and days have sped up, and I realize that if I am ever to seriously release my research and writing beyond the confines of my desk (and blog), then I need to step up my game. So, what do washi tape and Moleskine notebooks have to do with any of this you ask? Well, besides being gorgeous and aesthetically soothing to my stress-riddled brain, I plan to use these babies to visually lay out all the thoughts I've got going on concerning my current writing project.

It isn't that I am having trouble filling up the gleaming white space that is the Word document. I did that -- almost 50 pages worth on one little section. As of late, using just Word isn't cutting it. It feels too restrictive. And naturally, it is showing in my writing. After a round of editing (and yes, some tears) I realized that my approach was all wrong. Wrong for me, wrong for my subject. I took a step back and I have now decided that I need to tackle this just like I would when writing an exhibit -- visually. Once it is all laid out, I think I will be better equipped to dive back in and fill in the nooks and crannies with the actual written content. 

What about you? What is your writing process like? Are you an outliner and a planner, or do you just dive in? 

Ain't No Road Too Long

It has been hard for me to keep focused on my research and writing while undergoing all the changes that have come along with moving to Denmark. I have been a bit down lately, feeling like I will never be able to accomplish it all. I am feeling pretty overwhelmed with all of the things we need to do to stay here, as well as the things I need to do to reach my long-term goals and dreams. In the "buffet" of life, I definitely have way too much on my plate! Though some days it is enough to make me want to hide under the covers, I am determined to keep going. In this spirit, I am reminded of the very wise words of Waylon Jennings and the gang from Sesame Street in a movie that was one of my all-time favorites as a child (and still is) -- Follow That Bird!

Don’t look back; don’t you turn around
Just keep your eye on where you’re bound

and you’re bound to get from here to there

‘cause a dream can take you anywhere!