ANDRE BEGIN

When I wake up in the morning, refreshed and with a head full of ideas to embark on that day’s writing session, I try to get to it as soon as possible.

Once my morning essentials have been taken care of, the cat has been fed and my coffee has been brewed, it’s time to get writing.

In case you are wondering if I forgot to mention a step, the truth is that I didn’t. That’s where my non-negotiable ground rules enter the picture: no social media, no news and no politics.

I know some of you must be gasping, thinking that this unthinkable and couldn’t possibly be done. Let me reassure you, yes it can. For me, they need to wait until the writing session is over, which is usually around lunch time.

The reason why I set these boundaries is that if I am trying to write something with an upbeat or humourous tone, whether to inspire, to entertain or to connect, I find it very difficult to do that with negativity hanging over my head like a cloud.

Perhaps it is due to my empathetic nature, but I know myself and the degree to which I can absorb the sad and frustrating news about the state of the world rather than letting it flow over me like water on a duck’s back. It doesn’t take many exasperating news reports to see a rise in my blood pressure and a change in my mood.

Social media can also have that same effect on me. For all of the positive messaging that can be found, we still need to get past the rants and complaints that are also present. I might agree with them and they might even receive a like from me for the statement, but the negative bias of rants and complaints only makes the development of positive stories that much more challenging.

And don’t get me started on the comments.

For me, these factors create psychological clutter than can make the production of stories that try to resonate with readers on a human level nothing short of a miracle.

Why would I fill my head with stories and comments that highlight the ideological divide between some of us before writing stories in which I try to develop stories that help connect us?

It’s a question of creating the right environment for writing to produce the right tone for the pieces I am producing.

At first, it took a little discipline and practice to steer myself away from the routine that included TV, radio and mobile devices to ensure I was well informed to start the day. But now, this is part of my process, it is habit now and I don’t miss it.

I need to maintain a clean slate and a clear head, unencumbered by the doom, gloom and bad news of the day. It can wait until my writing session is over.

Writing a high quality “feel good” story can be challenging enough without trying to do it when caught up in the sadness and bitterness of the world. For that reason, starting from a place of clarity and untainted thought makes it easier for me.

It’s about boundaries. It’s not that I am placing myself in a complete vacuum and not remaining informed of what is going on in the world. It’s just a question of making most of my morning time for writing and deferring the social media, news and politics until later.

Then when noon rolls around and my writing session is over, I can make my lunch and take in the state of the world, without worrying about what direction my writing will take.

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Sincere thanks for reading!
Have a great day,
André