Insecure Writers' Support Group: What's Missing?

Sometimes I feel like there's something crucial missing in my life. It could be a number of things: a higher sense of spirituality to more vegetables filling my diet to greater sociability to a husband and family.

I've tried to make something of myself through education, traveling, writing, and religion, however. My writing has most definitely kept my desire for life stirring through the sinews of my flesh and bones. I am eternally grateful for that one simple, yet profound, dream back in December 2009; it started this journey by supplying me with a wicked cool idea for a book.

Even though my writing has yet to place my words on the market, it doesn't matter. It has been a beacon through depression that often clouds my days. It has buoyed me up and exalted me to higher realms of joy.

I realized until I feel whole (if that truly ever happens, haha), especially with having a family of my own, I must have things to look forward to; otherwise, my life is just another day after another mechanical day.

So, when life (or writing) gets you down, offer yourself something to look forward to, be it a date night with your significant other, or a hiking trip on Saturday morning, or a Dairy Queen Blizzard.

For me, what I have decided to treat myself to is a trip to Boston, Massachusetts. Yup, I purchased my plane ticket on Monday. I'm saying peace to Utah for a few days at the end of this month. And, oh, do I need a trip!

Anyway, have something to look forward to, whatever it may be. It will keep you going and hopefully writing up a storm.

What do you do to pull yourself out of the gutter of writer's depression (or plain depression itself)? What are you going to treat yourself to in order to give you something to look forward to? And how are you doing today?

Writing Jewels

Smiling all the Way From A to Z -- O

Today's smiles are brought to you by something that truly brightens my spirits. The letter O stands for...

OUTDOORS

I was raised by a dad that enjoyed the outdoors more than anything. We went hiking and biking a bunch during the summer as well as road trips to see the beauties of Western United States. He taught me the importance of enjoying my surroundings to the full. It was not that difficult to do that since I grew up a mile away from the opening of a gorgeous canyon in Utah. His favorite mountain range, Mt. Timpanogos, just a 20 minute drive away from us. The Dadio is a photographer, too so nature is his canvas. He loves snapping photos of all things beautiful!

I've been backpacking many times. It's not easy and ya get rather stinky, but it's well worth the amazing scenery and calm from the sounds of rushing rivers, birds chirping, and each crunch of footsteps in the dirt. I've backpacked Zions National Park, Grand Canyon, and the Tetons, Yet, I've been able to do countless day hikes in Utah's mountains.

Here are some pics from my outdoor adventures:

Cinque Terre - Italy day hike

Grand Canyon

Great Wall of China - I'm in the pink shirt

 Dirty Dash - I can't say I smiled a lot cuz it was way cold.

I got really sweaty on my hike out of Zions. Odd that being sweaty makes me smile.

Zions East Rim

 Snowshoeing - Utah

Do you enjoy the outdoors? Have you been backpacking or hiking or snowshoeing? If so, where? Or are you more of a road trip kind of person to see the beauties of the world? Last but not least, starting with the letter O, what makes you smile?

Writing Jewels

PS: Refer to the blurb on the very top of my blogs sidebar to know why I am posting about what makes me smile. Go forward and smile!



Nature Time

I’ve been so busy this summer with writing and the whole slew of other things going on in my life that I haven’t had the chance to do any hiking. Typically, during the summer I go backpacking and hiking, however, that hasn’t been a luxury this time around. But I went on a hike yesterday. Finally! At least I got one outdoor adventure this season.

It was enjoyable to get away from noise of the hustle and bustle, to have some sort of break from life.

I loved the rushing, free-flowing sound of waterfalls and the river. The stillness of environment was much needed. And it felt like an achievement once I got back to civilization.

What do you do to get away from life for a while?

Photography Copyright Julia King 2011