I woke up this morning at the crack of 5 AM, fifteen minutes before my alarm was to go off, and I tried to talk myself into trying to fall asleep for those last fifteen minutes. It didn’t work. I laid there, my mind skipped first gear and was on it’s way to shifting from second to third.
It’s my first day of a new job. A full-time job. A 40 hours per week job. I haven’t done that in 6 years. I’ve worked part-time and been a homemaker the rest.
Now, I find myself trying to figure out how to arrange those things that are so important to me that I don’t want them to fall to the wayside like working out and writing, particularly this blog. So, this week is an experiment of writing in the mornings before I head out the door and working out when I get home from the office. If it works, I may stick with that routine, if not, then I’ll be flipping things around to working out in the morning and writing in the evening.
Right now, I’m just trying to deal with my bodies reaction to all the pollen still in the air despite all of the rain: blowing my nose…. a lot. And hoping that my first day doesn’t involve me tearing through every tiny box of tissues they may have on hand at the new job. I also have to make sure that I won’t freeze to death in industrial air conditioning that works – I noticed that during my interview. A sweater is on tap for today.
Do you find that having a set routine when working full time helps keep you on task?
When do you feel most creative for your writing? Morning or Evening?
Do you work out before going into work or after a day at the office? Which do you like better?
Musings of the Amusing Muse 
Best of luck on your new venture! My brain is best in the morning, my body must be forced to do everything any way so it doesn’t matter what time I choose to exercise.
HA! Thank you and yeah – I have a feeling I will be switching to a morning workout to get it in and done for the day.
I get a lot more done when I work out in the AM. That said, the bones dont move that early so it majorly sux and I don’t do that often. I sneak out during lunch. Best of luck in the new gig!!
That is a thought, too! The “nooner” workout. Thankfully, the location of this new office is very near walking paths and parks (as opposed to tank farms) – guess that means I need to make sure to wear (or bring) comfortable walking shoes with me! And thank you!
Congrats on the new gig! I know it’s a huge adjustment to make, especially when you want to ensure that you still have time for writing. I tend to be more creative in the AM, but I find that getting up early to write winds up taking longer than I’d like (mainly because it takes a while for my brain to fully wake up and produce anything worth reading) — so I’ve started writing more in the evening instead. It’ll take some trial and error, but I’m sure you’ll find a schedule/routine that works for you. Until then, good luck today!
Thank you – the day seemed to go pretty well!
I agree, I need to “putter” for a little bit to get the mind going on things; let it refresh and reboot topics I found interesting from the day previous. At least I got in my bicycle ride tonight!
Congrats on the new job! I hope it goes great! For me, having a set schedule is difficult because my work schedule can be a bit haphazard, but I do find that I’m most successful working out in the morning. If I wait till I get off work, I’m more than likely just going to cook & eat dinner & then park it in front of my new obsession of a tv show.
As far a writing, I’m not as great as you are about posting often (I still seem to need 3 hours to post because I over edit & re-write… we’ll get there), but I tend to only have time to write at night. I’d prefer to write in the morning (I have a lot more spunk in the morning) but I’ve yet to find a way to go without a minimum of 8 hours of sleep and there just isn’t enough time in my am. Good luck with it! It might take a minute to adjust, but I’m sure you’ll work it out.
Good Morning! Yeah – that “enough sleep” thing is what’ll get me. I’m not too big on television, but I do like to read before I fall asleep. For me I think the working out at night will help relieve tension that might develop during the day, and that’s a good thing.
Luckily, I’ve worked out a schedule where I can do both before work, but if I was forced to choose I would definitely write in the morning, when the day is full of possibilities – and not in the evening when your head is full of the day’s conflicts. Most great writers I have read or researched seem to focus their efforts early in the day and then put the pen down at night.
Thank you for letting me know! I think my head is clearest in the morning, and my writing most coherent. All good things!
I work from home so it is important for me to have a time schedule. I can be a little Type A about things but my preference for writing is always early morning before anyone wakes up.
I think that is a “nice and quiet” thing. Early morning while everyone (Mr. Muse and the pets) are asleep is the best time!
I find it the best time but the late hours can be refreshing too.