Life Transitions: We recently had a stressful situation. Compared to some of the devastation in our country from fires and flooding, I shouldn’t complain. To lessen my distress, I often say, “This could have been worse.” To summarize, we came home from my publisher’s conference and found our hardwood floors in the hallway and into my office had buckled because of a leak in a pipe in the nearby coat closet. Six months later, I am finally back in my office (after three temporary relocations). Of course, all the hardwood floors throughout the house and six sheets of subflooring had to be replaced. That meant packing everything up and eventually moving into a rental for six weeks while the last of the work was done.
I write about life transitions: a period of change in a person’s life that results in a shift in their daily routine, self-identity, and emotional state – positive or negative. When the unexpected happens and will be unresolved for a length of time, there is a grieving of what life used to be like “before” the chaotic conditions occurred. There are always uncomfortable elements to the changes: not knowing when completion will occur, the cost involved (emotionally and financially), and how the stressors affect your body and the relationships in your life as you deal with the unfamiliar.
When I suggest “tips” to deal with certain situations, they are often ones I have stuffed away in my therapeutic toolbox. I am an emotional human and need these resources to help me get through tough times. So here are some I use to navigate this unexpected change.
Tips:
1. Recognize the situation is temporary and most likely the changes you face will make you uncomfortable. Acceptance is the key and when you can accomplish this your stress goes down.
2. Be on the lookout for blessings in disguise. For me, it was the jacuzzi tub in the rental and the easy walk to two coffee shops. I found more blessings, but you get the idea. Challenge yourself to discover them.
3. Look for opportunities within your new circumstances. Though it has taken me longer to unpack, I sorted through boxes to see what could be thrown out, donated, given to my granddaughters, or later go into a garage sale. I found the surprises of long-lost or forgotten items. My office is now reorganized to make space for preordered boxes of my novel (there is a discount on larger orders).
4. Considering all the extra work involved in whatever process happens for you, be kind to yourself and appreciate your support system (my husband, George). All of this packing, moving, and unpacking takes its toll. Unfortunately, during this whole thing, I was on a time crunch sending in edits to my book, dealing with a difficult person on the publishing team, making preparations for the book’s launch, and delving into advanced marketing tasks.
“Life is like walking, you take one step at a time.” ~ Taylor Swift
Book Review: Peggy Joque Williams, author of Courting the Sun, provided a rich, immersive experience of what entering the court of King Louis during his 17th-century reign would be like. Sylvienne, a bright young woman educated by nuns, a voracious reader, and loved by her mother and many in her small village, held a larger dream of a more glamorous life. When her mother receives an unexpected visit from the King, Sylvienne’s mother’s lifelong secrets surface. With the King’s summons to join the court, Sylvienne’s dream becomes reality. Yet, the books she’s secretly read about the scandal life in court ill-prepared her for the harsh reality of what price comes along with being among this elite group. After turning the last page, I was eager to read the next book in the series. Fantastic story!
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My Book News: My cover is done. I love it and I hope you do too. Michael Vendum was the graphic designer for the front cover. Northwest Books Radio Show recently interviewed me about being an older author and having a book published by a small press. Another interview will take place a year from now to see how the experience has been for me. This past week was an exhausting one. I took part in four days of Zoom meetings and workshops during the Women-In-Publishing Summit. Many of you are probably not aware that the publishing industry has been changing…a lot. Whether traditionally published, self-published, or hybrid published, the author has the responsibility and cost of marketing their book (unless you are a famous name). There are so many to-dos, timelines, and the pressure to get another book out ASAP. Profits are low in the publishing industry right now. I am not sure I can be a hustler or have the technical knowledge to rise to the occasion…but I will do my best so my book will reach as many readers as possible. I believe in the message within the story. I hope you will join me in finding ways for other readers you might know to learn about this book. More on that later.
**** This newsletter provides suggestions for managing life transitions. It is not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment. Please seek the level of help you need, especially in a crisis.
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In appreciation,
Connie
