After pouring forth quite a bit of writing in the last weeks of December and early January, I found my posts starting just like this one. With me talking about writing, and that, is not compelling.  I’m allowing it this morning as I have a greater point I hope. Too soon to tell. 

Over the past year I have gotten better at realizing when to just stop and quit starting things out with the same tired intros about why writing is hard, or saying “I sometimes write about...” right before I do just that. I mean except for today. One last time for old times sake or something. 

I tell this same story again, more as an explanation of why things seem to just disappear from time to time.  Stopping and regrouping is hard. The need to constantly produce lest you go away is a real feeling. Ignoring that pull, though, is important because quality matters. Now more than ever. 

I watch these posts and your interactions with them. There’s still no rhyme or reason to what resonates so I just keep producing and hope for the best. That being said, I am learning  that when I start to bore myself, you’re likely yawning right beside me. The difference with the past year is that I’ve started back. 

Learning to stop can be applied to damn near anything and provide dividends especially when combined with a touch of stepping back and objectivity. 

Stopping allows me to make sure what I say has value and that I’m articulating it well.  It gives me a hot second to question and answer my motives and goals for doing whatever it is I am involved in and decide whether to continue. It gives me a chance to listen to my gut inclinations and hopefully listen appropriately.  

Finally, if I’m lucky, stopping makes me realize that I’m smashing my face into the wall over and over again and that maybe I shouldn’t do that anymore. Solid for both my face and my life. 

Stop. Question. Evaluate. Restart. 

#hugsandhi5s