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I’m the Happiest With My Writing I’ve Ever Been…And Still Stressed.
Happiness is not a lack of stress or pain. It’s a habit.
I’m the happiest I’ve been, and optimistic. I feel like I’ve finally found my rhythm when it comes to writing and my style — It’s part comedy, part confessional.
I still have problems — I don’t really have a place after June 1, and right now I’d like to find a more permanent place to live. I have six figures of debt (student loans).
I have stress. I have problems.
But I’m content. I have a direction. I’m happy to work and write every day. I love it.
So what’s going on? What is different?
A lot of people associate happiness with a lack of problems. A lack of stress.
With having stuff — money, a spouse.
For writers, it’s with having a book deal. Reviews. A best seller. Being asked to speak. Having tenure at some university. Being asked to sit on panels.
I’m not against any of those things, but they’re no longer things I chase. And I’m happier for it.
For me, personally, happiness with writing has come from these changes I’ve made in my way of approaching it:
