Hitting Refresh by Cheryl Harper

 

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Hitting refresh...and I don’t mean on my email. Some days I’m afraid my inbox is just going to shout “Would you give it a rest already?”

Actually taking a break, catching your breath, can be hard to do, right?

I’m so very lucky to be able to work at home. I have flexibility, the sweetest coworker in the world (a dog named Jack), and the most difficult boss I’ve ever had to please (me). I also write at home. The dress code has to be the best perk of this setup. The challenge is that I am always at work, whether I’m sitting behind a computer or not. Every writer understands this, I think. There’s always something else that could be done. There’s the daily word count to meet, all the social media accounts to update, emails to answer, and so many details, large and small, that never quite seem finished.

(Commercial in 3, 2, … Coincidentally, this reminds me of the “She’s on the Job” promo running at Harlequin.com: 40% off of A Minute on the Lips! http://www.harlequin.com/store.html?cid=2684 She’s on the job…get it? Did you see what I did there? Shameless promo or a bit of kismet? Both. Totally.)

Do I have overachiever, workaholic, perfectionist tendencies? Possibly (or maybe my BOSS does). Recently, I’ve relearned something important. Having something to look forward to gives me such a boost in energy, creativity, and production that it’s like magic. Why do I forget this? Too much to do, too little time or money or both… the list of reasons is long.

First, I was looking forward to the RT Booklovers Convention. I’ve never been to the convention, and I’ve never been to New Orleans so this is exciting. “Exciting” is one of those words that can also mean “source of a great deal of anxiety because I’m going to have to actually leave my coworker, travel only with my demanding boss, and probably say countless dumb things around people who aren’t related to me so therefore do not have to love me anyway.” Possibly I’m overthinking the whole thing. You won’t find that definition in a dictionary or thesaurus. But I’m looking forward to New Orleans.

Then my best friend mentioned she was heading to Florida and I should come along to sit on the beach. And things got “interesting” on top of “exciting.” A week to burn in the sunshine, read books, and laugh with my best friend… IN! This is when that there flexibility is truly a sweet blessing.

Just the promise of fresh perspective over my peeling nose and the ocean waves has brought renewed energy, creativity, and hope.  Getting away for a week (or even the promise of it) reminds me why I love doing what I do. I hope you have a chance to take a breath and hit refresh too.

Now, what's it been, ten seconds? Let me go check my email again...