The amazing Pseudonymous High School Teacher has lived many lives — as a woman, mother, teacher, writer, cocktail waitress… You name it, she’s probably done it. Currently she lives in Hawaii with her husband, daughter, son, and Border Collie. Pseudo writes humorous anecdotes and poignant stories (often both in one) about her family, her students, her childhood in California, and sometimes even snarky Christmas newsletters. She also mixes in photos of paradise where she lives to gloat share the beauty with her readers.

I’m so happy to have one of my first and best internet friends guest blogging for me today. Thanks, Pseudo!

To Write to Live to Live to Write

Aka, the artist’s conundrum. As a writer, and I think this must hold true with other types of artists, a constant challenge is to balance writing and living. There is the practical side to this, the responsibilities of a full life. Especially if one does not earn an income from his or her writing. One like me for instance. So life is full of the things that must be tended. Jobs, homes, vehicles. Families, children, elderly relatives.

Then there is the living that feels like touching the essential fabric of our very existence. For me this means getting out into nature, having adventures, being with friends and family in moments of relaxation and celebration, amid laughter and love. Moments alone on long walks where my mind can settle and ideas are born.

Sitting in front of a computer for hours on end is difficult for me. I can only go so long before I need to get up and about. It’s wonderful when the writing is going so well that hours pass like minutes, but it is not always like that.

Then there is the business side of writing itself. Balancing art and business is not a sport for lightweights.

I got into blogging to reconnect to my creative side and in my opinion it is working. I also have met friends who have helped me on my journey back into writing.

Recently I’ve learned that the blogging community and the readers who follow me are a helpful step towards recognition as a writer.

So I must cultivate this from both a social aspect as well as a practical aspect.

Will it go round in circles?
Will it fly high like a bird up in the sky?
I got a song that ain’t got no melody…

This seesaw is interesting, challenging, and a slippery slope.

Spend too much time on the computer and I’m antsy for adventure.

Spend too much time adventuring and I don’t have time to write.

Relax and make sure I have idle time and down time so I don’t go insane.

Don’t relax so much that creating and living are neglected.

Are we human? Or are we dancers?

Or are we both?

Do we need to see and feel the dance in our more human, more mundane moments? And to feel the dancer living through the everyday routines?

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