Finding Balance: Why I Took a Break from Writing
Written on
Chapter 1: My Journey into Writing
I began my adventure on Medium around Easter this year. The initial month was spent navigating the platform, getting a feel for it. By the end of the second month, my earnings were enough to cover my subscription, which was a nice milestone. Entering my third month, I was filled with excitement about writing daily, gaining followers, and generating a wealth of ideas.
Then, unexpectedly, I hit a wall.
Every day, I urged myself to sit down and write—something I genuinely wanted to do—but I kept finding alternative ways to occupy my time.
Why Did I Stop?
I didn’t completely abandon writing. I have a book on health that I'm developing, and I’m also working on a secretive novel that’s still in a rough phase. These projects were already in progress, so I can't attribute my hiatus to them.
Moreover, it’s not due to my job or the lengthy kitchen renovation; both have been ongoing for quite a while (my job for decades and the kitchen project even longer than my time on Medium).
My neglect of writing stems from a specific idea that has captivated my attention.
The Nature of Mental Fixations
We all experience moments of fixation, but what occupies our minds varies based on individual traits and situations. Often, these fixations aren’t beneficial (unless they pertain to life-or-death scenarios).
In my case, I’m driven by a need to validate a point. I’m aware that this might not lead to any profound insights and might be a waste of time, yet the urge to explore it is often overwhelming. Thankfully, I recognize when it begins to consume too much of my focus.
My current obsession revolves around the belief that I can discover a foolproof method for success in future exchanges.
The Search for Answers
I'm not detailing my strategies here, but rest assured, they haven't been effective. I’m convinced I can achieve positive results because I excel at spotting patterns in data and once had a knack for programming.
Despite this, I understand that I might simply be identifying patterns in randomness.
If I manage to crack the code, the outcome could be a money-making machine. Just to clarify, I’m cautious enough not to risk real money in this pursuit. Past experiences have shown that it’s feasible to break even consistently—an impressive feat given the extreme volatility I face.
Once, I even enjoyed a streak of daily profits for three months. Then, an unexpected market shift wiped out all my gains, leaving me right back where I started.
But this time, yes, I truly believe I've found the solution...
The Takeaway
As mentioned earlier, we all harbor little (or sometimes significant) compulsions. Perhaps you’re more level-headed than I am and don’t experience this.
If something begins to dominate your thoughts, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential risks, advantages, and costs involved. Recognize it for what it is.
If you find that something consistently controls your actions, it’s time to address that. I'm not in a position to advise you on what steps to take, though.
A Couple of Final Thoughts
If you encounter someone promoting a foolproof investment or trading strategy in a volatile market, be wary—they're likely offering nothing more than a Ponzi scheme.
This I can assure you.
Lastly, if you appreciated this piece, I invite you to follow my journey. I share my thoughts on various topics when I’m not preoccupied with crafting an elusive algorithm. I don’t promote any particular agenda or ideology.
The first video, "DON'T QUIT Writing Until You've Watched This Video," discusses the importance of perseverance in writing. It's a must-see for any aspiring author.
The second video, "Should I quit writing my novel?" explores the struggles writers face and offers insights on whether to continue or take a break.
If you enjoyed this article, consider joining Sweet Publications! Sweet.pub is a community of three—💚 Short, 💙 Long, and 🧡 Deep—where you can discover captivating stories that resonate with you!
This article was published on June 26th, 2024, in Long. Sweet. Valuable. publication.