Originally, I wasn’t planning on having a blog be the main part of my new website. Once I decided to give it a try, I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to figure out enough interesting topics to write about, even for a blog that was just going to be personal instead of professional or helpful. Of course, I’m not trying to make some ground-breaking, perfect site — it’s mainly for myself and for friends and family. An easy way to keep track of what I’ve been up to. There are themes I follow, but it’s not like I have to do anything special or try too hard. I update when I feel like it or have the time. It is fun, however, trying to come up with interesting ways to at least add a little bit of interest and variety to my blog.
Shaking off the cobwebs
Sometimes I do find myself wondering why I should keep up the blog that often. I have so much on my mind that I feel like there is just no way for me to post even the most boring update. That’s usually when my husband and I go out for a working date. We love hanging out together, and we’ve always been able to bounce ideas off of each other. Sometimes ideas just flow more freely when we change our surroundings. We may not even have a big brainstorm together, but it’s still nice to get out and shake out the cobwebs or get our mind off whatever is holding us back from working smoothly. My husband has several creative endeavors of his own: two of his main focuses are his writing, and also his blog. He sometimes has the same issues keeping his content fresh or wants to talk about a plot in his writing, so these dates work great for us both. Many of my actual blog entries — like this one — were written while we were in a restaurant. It’s just nice to be creative or do some work in a different space for a little change of scenery.
It’s all about the atmosphere
Some of our favorite spots are very simple and affordable dates. We’ve gone to a few places enough times to get a feel for their slower times, so we aren’t having a hard time thinking, much less hearing each other. We’ve gone to a bar and grill and been the only people in the restaurant for almost an hour or longer. We usually have some chips and salsa and a few beers while we work. One of our absolute favorite work spaces is La Madeleine. It’s just a wonderful atmosphere that appeals to us both. It especially gets my mind whirring excitedly about my love of costumes. We can easily sit at a table with coffee and work or chat for a long time. I especially look forward to cooler weather, when they light the fireplace. Some of my favorite dates with Christopher have been there working, or just relaxing. I always walk out of these places with a big smile and a renewed attitude to keep updating my website and blog.
I look forward to finding new places to get inspired or feel energized enough to come up with ideas. It’s just another great way to squeeze in some time with my sweetie, and fool myself into thinking that working on my blog isn’t as hard as I thought it would be.
If you find yourself struggling to keep focus or just needing a change of scenery, try treating yourself to a coffee or snack at your favorite place and drag a notebook or laptop with you. You might even consider bringing along a friend you trust who could help fire you up about your project again, or at least lend you their ears.
I love this entry!
And I like the thought of checking out some other places; although, like you, I like La Madeleine for our little meetings.
They always help me. I can sit at my desk and come up with a pile of ideas (and often do), but it’s nice to bounce thoughts off of somebody else.
More than that, though–it’s nice just being someplace cozy with somebody else working on something similar.
Just knowing that you’re quietly working on ideas and entries…it makes it easier for me to do the same.
Yeah, I’m not working at a comfortable desk, so going someplace with a really nice atmosphere and seeing something different can help my attitude. We can both be creative or work when we need to or want to, it’s more just an “ahhhh!! get me outta here!! I want to go out!” thing that we’re appeasing 🙂
Nice entry and good thoughts on places of inspiration; may you keep on finding yours!
Personally, I recommend taking a shower or a bath. I just have to remember to write down the ideas once I get out, or what seemed so obvious moments before flits away.
Thanks so much, Mary! You too! 🙂
Tomasz: That’s a nice, relaxing way to think about things as well and I do it often! However, when I’m really feeling frustrated with working on things and needing more help than usual, it really helps to get out for a change of scenery. I’m cooped up a lot, unfortunately, so I think a lot of my problem is that I’m not wanting to work (I want to get out and have fun). Heheh! 🙂
Btw, you can link your website to your name for replies, if you’d like! Best wishes, and thanks for the reply! 🙂
(oh good grief, I really went wild with the smileys there, didn’t I?)
Somebody needs to make a waterproof whiteboard you can take into the shower.
I get a lot of writing (story) ideas while in the shower.
Great post! “Work Dates” aside, I think that you two must have the most wonderful relationship — so many marriages are not ultimately ones of true friendship, sharing, and companionship…even if they appear to start out that way. I think it’s lovely that you two go to La Mad and toss around ideas, or just share things with each other. That is the true ideal for a marriage!
Hope you two are not floating away. We’re getting a torrent down here in Temple. I love the rain, but eventually it begins to get depressing. Ha! 🙂
Hi, Amy!
Yes, Christopher and I are definitely the best of friends. We started out with the same interests, since we met at a comic book company meeting, so we both always enjoyed chatting about creative things together as well as hobbies or topics we love. We also will usually accompany the other to events or things even if we’re not as into it (or at all), or have sometimes gained an interest because of being introduced to something new that the other enjoyed. Sometimes we’ll skip out and let the other person have alone time, but that’s not very often. Frankly, I can’t imagine going too long without my best friend. Even if we don’t agree, we still get along great — so of course we want to spend as much time together. Even more fun when we can talk about things we enjoy and get excited about! 🙂
We got a lot of rain according to some of the estimates of neighboring towns, but fortunately we didn’t have to go out yesterday and are on a second floor (thankfully there was no bad flooding in our area of that level that I could see). Even one section of road that tends to flood constantly was clear when we did decide to venture out later when the rain had stopped. I love rain and actually ended up hissing about having bright sun in my eyes. Can’t wait until cloudy and cooler days become more common!
Best wishes!