I was so excited to tackle my film/screenplay/book project this year. Then covid-19 happened.

Computer failures, lockdown stress, trying to find a new balance of day job+writing life+family life…more than once, I’ve said to myself, “Forget it. I’m going to hide under the bed for a while.” Maybe you’ve felt the same way. Concentration’s been impossible, time remains a mystery, and all of life feels like I’m in a weird mashup of Groundhog Day and Memento without the murder part. As each day passed, I thought to myself, “I’ve got to get back to the project. I’m falling so far behind.”

That only added more stress. Some stress is good, the kind that excites and energizes you and helps drive productivity. And some stress is just toxic, driving nothing but guilt.

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Surviving lockdown stress is hard enough. In a rare display of self-compassion, I gave myself a permission slip that said “This project can wait.” I hope I’ll get back to it when I have more energy and life looks more like it did in January (remember January? Okay, me neither.). It’s still a project I believe in and care about. I just don’t have the juice to carry on with it right now.

I hope that, wherever you are, you’ll give yourself the permission slips you need to get through the things life throws at you. If you need one, let me know. I’ll be glad to write you one.

Stay safe and well. It won’t be like this forever.

XO