Relaxation is okay!
A few days ago, I reached the end of writing a 107K first draft for a novel I intend to publish. I’m UK-based, 18yo, and dropped out of sixth form around nine months ago for mental health reasons. Since then, loads of stuff has happened - some good, some bad - but ultimately, I feel better. I think I’ve healed from such a dark phase of my life, and achieving something as nice as a completed draft is something I’m proud of. :)
But now, I’m faced with a problem: I need to put space between myself and the manuscript so that I can edit more objectively come three months time, when I will return. But I feel so guilty spending so long doing nothing.
However, I thought I’d put a little message up here for myself, but for others too in a similar situation - that is, it’s okay to take a break. I’m nervous, because other than the occasional tutoring job, I have no thorough income for the time being… however, I’m gonna keep searching. I’m gonna keep looking for vacancies in jobs, keep submitting applications, and until I can find one, well there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve just gotta wait it out, and there’s no reason to feel such guilt, simply for having time to relax like this.
So many people in this world are so damn busy, working so hard, finding no time to rest, and meanwhile here I am struggling to get employed, still heavily supported by my parents, with all the time in the world - and, the guilt is pretty heavy sometimes, but ultimately, it’s not necessary. Relaxation is okay!
Haha, maybe I’m bad at hiding that this is encouragement for me more than anyone else 😆 but, I do mean it all the same. This is Reddit, of all places, so I imagine I’m not the only one - if you’re reading this, and you’re in a similar place, then I hope you’re doing okay. You’ll find your way. But in the meantime, don’t beat yourself up over what you have no control over.
Sorry for the ramble! Everyone, take care.