A day in my life….is not for sissies!!

I retired in 2015 when I got a book contract. I’d worked for about 150 years as a nurse in varying specialties, then as a contact lens technician. By the time I left the nursing profession I was dog tired, emotionally wrung out, and psychological drained. Having a full time job that could be at the same time uplifiting and soul-sucking was difficult. I figured retirement – and the oppportunity to write full time  – would be much more relaxing and enjoyable.

What’s that old saying? You make plans and God laughs?
yeah…story of my life.

I figured writing full time would be a cake walk. Hey, I didn’t have to get dressed in professional clothes everyday any more, do my makeup, hair, and coordinate my wardrobe. I could stay in my pj’s all day and not even put on deodorant if I didn’t want to. ( I do, just for full disclosure here!)

That easy, carefree life of a writer I imagined? yeah..not so much. A few months ago I did a blog piece about a simple question my husband asks me every day at dinner: “So, what did you do today.” My usual response? “Worked.”
One night I figured he really needed to hear what I actually do under the definition of “work,” so here’s what I told him.

4am, Finally got out of bed after lying there for an hour, wide awake.

405am – 530 am Checked email, answered 16 messages. Wrote 2 blogs, uploaded one then posted on social media outlets and HootSuite for the day. Social media sites included uploads of blog on twitter, Triberr, Tumblr, Linked in, Goodreads, google+ and Pinterest. Hootsuites were posted for every 2 hours.

530-6. Got hubby up, ate breakfast. Got ready for the day. Made bed.

630-930 am Gym, followed by grocery shopping for the week, Target, the post office and the bank. Got gas and went to the dump.

930-1030am put the groceries away then started laundry, vacuumed bedrooms and living area. Started dishwasher.

1030-1pm wrote in current wip; worked on Copyedits just received for Book 3 in new cooking series.

1pm-130pm ate lunch then answered emails and checked social media sites. Changed laundry and started another load.

130-500 worked on wip; and worked on Copy edits for book 3 in new cooking series, plus plotted out book 4. )  Folded dried laundry and put it away. Ironed shirts.

5-545 walked on treadmill and read current NetGalley book for review. Folded the remainder of done laundry, put it away.

545-630 cooked dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, set table, worked on copy edits.

630-7pm dinner and conversation ( questions!) with Hubby. Cleaned up the dinner dishes.

7-830 worked on wip, answered email, worked on blog posting for the morning. Did a few pages of the copy edits for book 3

830-10 read Netgalley again

10pm-midnight. Slept

Midnight-2 am. wide awake in bed, reliving yesterday, planning today.

Now, mind you: I have no children at home who need to be tended to, ferried places, or shown love and attention. I don’t currently, have a pet. My friends all work at full-time jobs out side of the home, so ladies who lunch is not on my menu. I don’t get manicures, pedicures, or have spa days. The last time I went to a mall my daughter was in college and I had a panic attack from the crowds. I simply write all day long.

But there’s nothing simple about a day in my life.

So, how do you think the other authors in this blog challenge spend their days? Find out by clicking on the links below


15 Comments

Filed under #Mfrwauthors, Author, Author Branding, Contemporary Romance, Cooking, Family Saga, female friends, Foodie, Friends, Kensington Publishers, Life challenges, Lyrical Author, Netgalley Reviewer, Romance, Romance Books, Strong Women, Uncategorized, WIld Rose Press AUthor

15 responses to “A day in my life….is not for sissies!!

  1. lol- I love “worked for about 150 years” – oh it so feels like that many days! Great post!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Peggy Jaeger

    Maureen – yes, it did and does!!

    Like

  3. Sherry Lewis

    I hear you! I worked 150 years in the legal field before I “retired” to become a writer. Some days I think fondly about those short 60-hour work weeks I used to have. Enjoyed your post!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Donna Simonetta

    Phew! I’m tired just reading that post!
    : )

    Liked by 1 person

  5. “What’s that old saying? You make plans and God laughs?
    yeah…story of my life.” Story of my life as well! I remember in my twenties working 60 hour weeks, but that was before I had children. Then those years of child raising on top of the career, and keeping up the house. Phew, I can’t do it anymore. I would have trouble keeping your schedule nowadays!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. It’s amazing how all the “other” work of writing fills up an author’s day!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Peggy Jaeger

    Alina – isn’t it??

    Like

  8. As I often tell myself, I don’t see how I ever had the time to work an 8- 6 job. Life abhors a vacuum and fills it with new things to do.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Wow, Peggy, you pack a lot more into a day than I do!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. It’s crazy but I feel busier now that I do stay home with the kids than I ever did when I held down a full time job. Add writing to the mix and there simply aren’t enough hours.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Cathy Brockman

    I concur with your saying..“What’s that old saying? You make plans and God laughs?
    yeah…story of my life.” I also retired from the 100plus years of work and still am being laughed at! If I make a plan I can be sure it gets rained on.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Still laughing over the “working for 150 years” statement. I feel that way every day at work and was hoping to hear that retirement was easier. Apparently not. I’m glad you can find time to get some writing done!

    Liked by 1 person

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