By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Tweet this: Nine Things NOT To Do When Tired
Two weeks ago, I returned from a writer’s high: I taught at a conference and afterward was 
Edie Melson’s guest. For six days we worked on a book project titled The Author Roadmap – Navigating the Social Media Highway. Oh, every moment of the 8 days was thrilling. Nothing I love more than helping other writers and digging into a new project. When I wasn’t working on that book, I put the finishing touches on my next novel, which is due March 1. But when I came home, the introverted part of me demanded rest and naps and no conversation. Poor husband, but he knows my habits.
So I developed Nine Things NOT To Do When Tired. Maybe you can relate.
1. Don’t put your cell phone in the dishwasher. The charger isn’t there.
2. Don’t attempt to cook because the results end up in the garbage disposal.
3. Don’t look at the mail piled on your office chair. It will make you cry.
4. Don’t think you can jump right back into your normal exercise routine. Your energy is depleted.
5. Don’t leave your suitcase packed. Unload it as soon as you get home to eliminate yet another reminder of an undone task.
6. Don’t think about staying home from church. Trust me, you’ll need God’s perspective on getting back on track.
7. Don’t skip the naps.
8. Don’t attempt to edit. Sleep first.
9. Don’t forget to thank those who made the trip possible.
What about you? Do you have advice for those who are exhausted?
Tweet this: Nine Things NOT To Do When Tired
Comments 23
Don’t sew anything. Even if you don’t catch your finger with a needle, you will have to rip it all out cause of mistakes made. Don’t write anything, no filter and what you read the next day can be gibberish. Don’t start serious discussion with anyone. Naps are sound advice.
You’re so right, DiAnn. The trip’s not over until the suitcase is unpacked. :^)
Sometimes I’d pay someone to do it for me!
Oh how well I can relate after my fun, relaxing vacation that required an extremely tiring 13-hour flight with two lay-overs adding an extra four hours to the trip. Mail was piled high, over 800 emails to sort through, edits to perform, etc., etc. I couldn’t focus for three days, and my cell phone ended up in the refrigerator. Nice to know “I’m Normal?”
LOL We can compare notes!
I love your list. I need to remember that. I went thru exhaustion Sunday from a full week. Yep, I looked at e-mail & got depressed. You’re always my mentor.
Thanks Janet! I hate giving in to sleep – but it’s hard to function without it.
Do not call even your most patient friend. Informing her you mowed the carpet and vacuumed the lawn may stretch her patience too much.
Frances, that’s so funny – but I can see it!
And here I thought you were the Energizer bunny! This post made me laugh.
At least you weren’t too tired to use correct grammar in the title. Most people would have said “Nine things to not do.” LOL
Hi Linda, I so much enjoyed writing today’s post! Thanks!
And don’t try to balance the checkbook!
Oops! That should be a numbered item.
LOVED this, DiAnn! Since you are an author I greatly admire, I have always thought your energy was endless, but now realize you need rest like all of us, LOL. 😉
Thank you for sharing these wise (and humorous) tips. The only thing I would add to my personal list is not to indulge in too much sugar after a trip, thinking it will help me regain some quick energy. I’ve learned (sadly) that it only ends up making me feel MORE tired! Thank you again for sharing. 🙂
Hi Patti Jo, yeah, the sugar can be our downfall, then we have to wait a few days for it to speed out of our system!
As an introvert, I totally understand! (Naps rock btw!)
I can do the extrovert thing for only so long – then snooze time!
Love, Love, Love this post! Laughing at the cell phone/dishwasher.
We’re so much alike.
xoxo
Julie – you know me only too well!
DiAnn, I laughed and related to this post. You’re definitely right about not staying home from church because that is where we need to go to be refreshed and refilled. Naps can come later. One thing I’ve learned is that if I stay up past the time I should have gone to bed, it’s dangerous to send emails. By that time, my tact is woefully deficient and my inner editor has already gone to bed!
LOL I’m right there with you. There’s a definite cut-off time for a writer’s ability to sound sane.
DiAnn, having been with you for some of those tiring days and marveling at your energy, I’m sort of glad to find that it’s not endless…There’s hope for some of us writers who are mere mortals. I especially like your suggestion for naps. But do I have to stop those after–oh, say–a week or two after we get back from our trip? They’re really nice.
Thanks for the advice (and the picture of your phone in the dishwasher).
Nope – keep up the naps! Wasn’t it Thomas Edison who believed his creativity was due to power naps?
Ah yes, I’m a mere mortal … And you?