One Foot in Front of the Other

Tuesday, October 12, 2021



I used this picture for my last article - which was quite a long time ago. In the meantime, I've missed several deadlines, dropped several balls, gotten sick, spent some time in the ER, and lost a crown on my tooth. There's actually much more - but those are the ones fresh in my mind. I'm using this picture  because it reminds me of a simpler time. A time I am eager to return to. 

I've spent so much of the last year (more if I'm being honest) feeling overwhelmed. I don't know if it's the stress of the pandemic, the volatility of farming, trying to juggle teenagers and toddlers, or being an only child with an aging mother. I really can't just pick one thing, but I keep straying away from things that bring me joy - and now my health is paying the price for it. 

I want to get back to writing. I want to read more books. I want to do more blog tours. I want to ride my horses more often. The list goes on - I just want to get back to my happy self. When I think of all the things I haven't done and all the things I should be doing or want to do, I feel absolutely overwhelmed and pretty horrible about myself. When I start thinking like that, I just want to pull the covers back up and take a nap. I mentioned this to a friend who shared some fabulous advice. She started by talking about something I love - running. She said "you didn't just wake up one morning and run a 5K, you started walking slowly, then increased your speed, then you'd run a bit and walk, run a bit more, walk some more, and eventually you worked your way into loving your daily run, right?"

I sipped my coffee and sat back - she was right. So I asked "how do I apply that to all this other work and all this other stuff I've let slide?" 

She looked right at me and said:

"PUT ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER AND KEEP DOING THAT"

Sounds good in theory, but she was right. I don't have to sit down tonight and write the next great American Novel. I do however have to write this article. Once I'm done with this article, I can start working on the next one. I can grab a book off the shelf and start reading - not the entire thing in one night, but one page at a time. 

I'm here to tell you I'm going to be the person I want to be. Not all at once, but I'm going to get there. I want you to be part of that process. Will you help me please? 
 


**  If you have a favorite heartwarming book or author, share the name or title with me in a comment below!


**  If you've ever felt this way, tell me what you did to put one foot in front of the other - what worked for you? 


**  If you're an author, and you would be interested in doing a blog tour with me, drop me a note below or send an email: crystal@wow-womenonwriting.com - I'm eager to get back at things I enjoy - which is helping spread the word about amazing books and authors like YOU! 

And with that - hugs my dear friend and until next time! You know we love hearing from you - if you don't feel comfortable commenting on this post, feel free to drop us a note - we love that too! (crystal@wow-womenonwriting.com )

~Crystal

Today's blogger is Crystal J. Casavant-Otto who is a hot mess of a momma and dairy farmer enjoying her little corner of the cornfield in muddy Wisconsin this fall! 


4 comments:

Renee Roberson said...

Crystal--I love your attitude. You do so much and have so many responsibilities I'm glad you are allowing yourself to have grace and the time to breathe and recharge. It's too easy to take on the world and let our mental and physical health suffer, but sometimes we have to put ourselves first, even if just in small bursts.

Unknown said...

Hello,
I love that dress! After taking my first ICL class I returned to MTSU to earn a degree in English Literature. I still have a lot to learn, but the ICL writing course gave me confidence to seek a degree in English Literature. This semester my Advanced Writing Class requires me to interview a person or several people in the Writing Community. Since you are a published author - what got you hooked on writing? Did your parents encourage you, a great teacher, a friend, or was it just your own idea? You love to write! I want to encourage other students to take your classes and WOW! is a great addition to ICL.
Thank you,
Becky Tribble

Crystal Otto said...

Thanks Becky!
As soon as I could read, I wanted to write! Our neighborhood kids started a newspaper back in the 80’s - it didn’t last long, but we had such fun! Encouraging parents and teachers mean so much !

Crystal Otto said...

Thanks Renee!!!

Hugs,

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