Saying that these past couple of months feels like a whirlwind is a major understatement, but it sums up how I feel. I was finishing up my second week at my new job when the institution I work for announced that everyone would be working remotely effective immediately. A short time later, my area experienced a significant earthquake, and we are still feeling the occasional aftershock. Now, like most of the United States, I am staying at home as much as possible. When the advisory to stay home first began, I found I silver lining by imagining how much writing I could get done instead of commuting to work. I imagined that I would have so much more energy. But not surprisingly, things haven’t gone as planned.

During the first part of this week I was chiding myself for not being as creatively productive as I wanted. I couldn’t understand how I wasn’t using my extra time working on my novel. Instead, I’ve been feeling even more tired after work and struggling to get up early in the morning. In additional to the fatigue, I struggled to focus.

Then I gave myself permission; permission to be tired, unfocused, stressed out. That’s when I realized that I shouldn’t be beating myself up for, in a sense, taking a break from writing. Realizing that it’s all right to not be writing right now is something I feel is important to share. Like me, I know that other writers might be struggling with being as productive as they normally are, and down themselves for falling short.

Please, be kind to yourself. Throughout this time of upheaval when so many people have stepped forward and shown incredible amounts of compassion to others, don’t forget to show some to yourself. I applaud those who are able to still reach their writing goals, but more important than that word count is the mental, emotional, and physical health of the author. With COVID-19 running rampant across the globe, it’s completely normal to feel anxiety. Anxiety in its variety of forms can lead to the feelings of fatigue and lethargy that I’ve undergone—along with myriad of other symptoms. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to relax with socially responsible activities that promote mental health or positive coping with current events.

Stay safe and stay brave. Keep yourself healthy. Keep yourself healthy so that you can you’re your energy back to writing when you’ve adjusted. Follow the guidelines that have been put in place to stop this virus from spreading. Take comfort in the fact that things will get better. As things do, ideas and words will flow again. There is a good chance that the mayhem happening in the world right now will be the inspiration for some compelling stories.

Despite the craziness, I will keep posting as regularly as I can. Keep an eye out for more updates in the coming weeks!