I Can't Join Your Team

I am hesitant to write this post because I don't want to offend anybody. I don't want to offend friends who are part of the MLM teams. (For lack of a better word - or acronym, I'm going to call it MLM - Multi Level Marketing.)

I have friends in various MLMs and this post isn't about them. When asked, if I want to join, they have respected my choice to say no. In fact, most people do. That's not really what this is about.

Being a mom seems to be a signal that you should be asked. Being a Stay at Home Mom seems to mean you have a sign on your back saying you NEED to be asked to join a team.

Today, through Instagram messaging, I received TWO different requests for me to join a team. Two requests from strangers.

I've had other mothers through Instagram contact me, and make small talk, and then ask. I've been okay with this. Today, they just asked. Not a lot of small talk. 

I'm usually okay with this. I get it. It's what you do. And some of you, are very good at whatever you've chosen as your MLM. 

Today, it got to me. I always respond with a 'thanks, but no thanks.' I usually always give a reason even though I shouldn't have to. 

Today, I blocked both of the women who sent me requests. I'm not sorry about my decision. 

As I've said before, I post a lot about my writing life and about my mom life on Instagram. I don't think any of what I post says anything that should lead people to believe I'm the right type of person to approach. I just like to post.  I have been approached before, but not blocked them. These are people who comment on my photos, and I comment on theirs. They are strangers, but I feel we have a connection through motherhood. However, the connection almost ends there. I'm sure we have more in common, and believe me I also believe in health and fitness, but I don't want to join your team to do it. (I have Fitbump for that). 

Now to save time, here are the reasons I don't want to join your team:

• I don't want to. That should be all I need to say. I'll add more though.
• My focus is on writing. No, I'm not making any money at this yet, but I hope to. If I stop writing, I won't get to where I want to be with my writing. I want to get there. I don't want ANY other distractions.
• I WANT TO BE A WRITER NOT A SALESPERSON. And don't tell me it's not sales. You ask people to join your team. You try to sell it.
• I'm a terrible salesperson. Terrible. 
• I know that it's perfect for moms, but I spend a lot of my day chasing after a toddler. I don't want to add more to my day right now. I want to spend it doing things I love, and seeing people I love, and I don't think I'd love the MLM I join. I know I wouldn't, I think know it would stress me out.
• Last, but not least: I don't want to. I have no interest. None. Never have. Probably never will. 

I will listen to your pitches. I will think about purchasing your products, but I might not. I also might. That's up to me. It was your choice to sell, and it's my choice on where to spend the money I have. (Someday, I'll be a famous writer - or win the lottery - and I will have more money to spend, but for now, I don't. AND I KNOW I CAN MAKE MONEY BY JOINING YOUR MLM - SEE ABOVE.)

Okay, that's all. Like I said, some people can do it. Some people can join, and do a kick ass job at their new job. (I know these people.) But it's not for me. So you can ask, and I won't be offended because I get that's part of your job, but I won't say yes. For sure, I won't say yes. That's my choice. 

You have your passion. I have mine.

Writing. And my family.

"Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

Writer's Block? What's that?

March 23, 2018

Writer's Block Un-Blocker

I've been doing a Nanowrimo challenge on Instagram using the hashtag #instawrimo. Today's prompt was Writer's Block Un-blocker. Because it's meant for Instagram, usually I include a photo with a bit of a post about why I chose the photo, or how I feel about the prompt. 

I thought I'd use it as a blog post topic instead of picking a random prompt. (Or just rambling.)

Here is the photo I was going to post to Instagram for it. Posed tonight. Instead I'll just use a screen shot of this post. Excuse the pajamas. We had a snow day. I actually like the one of just my hand. That's not the one I was going to post though.

Basically, my solution for writer's block is to write. Every Day. In the past, writer's block would lead to months of not writing. I'll never let that happen again.

If I don't know what to write, I do a prompt from my prompt book. I always try to do a happy thought.

 

 I think because I have so many different places to write (I call it places, but method or ways to write would also work), it helps me keep myself from getting the dreaded writer's block. But ONLY if I write everyday.

Lately, I've been blogging (this blog, my book blog, and the Mommy Connections Mom blogs), I have been doing personal writing in my journal (which was needed), I've been doing the prompts, I've been editing, and I've been working on new novel ideas. I'm also working on a piece for something completely new. Details to come. And this doesn't count, but I do a lot of Instagram posts - they are photos, but also time for me to share my thoughts, happy moments, or frustrations. I share a lot, but because it feels good to write as I share my photos.  

I choose one or two of the above writings to do a night, and I write. Sometimes I write earlier, other nights I write later. I always write though, and it's the only thing that keeps me going with my writing. At this point, I'm scared to stop writing for even a day. I don't want to lose what I have going. It's also something that is for me. (And for anybody I choose to share it with.)

I've also been keeping track of how many days I write. I was doing it on Instagram, but that got pretty tedious. Now I write it down everyday, and I make note of what I've written. There isn't really any reason for this other than keeping myself accountable. Keeping myself accountable is key. (Day 284).

I've been trying to figure out what I did for writer's block in the past. How did I write? I don't know. I think I just wrote when I was inspired. I didn't realise that writing was my inspiration. If I had known that, I may have finished a novel much earlier. I spent too many years not writing. I'm so glad I rediscovered it. 

I hope I get published someday, but even if I don't, I know I'm doing everything I can, and I'm writing. No matter what. I don't really feel as though I get writer's block anymore because I've always got some form of writing to do. If I need a break from my novel, I have lots of other things to fall back on. If I can't think of a blog post idea, I go to Pinterest and find a prompt. I'm always writing so I haven't given myself a chance to get writer's block. I don't plan to either.

That's it. Short post today. It's actually not easy to write about a problem I don't have. Luckily. I guess if I find myself with writer's block, I'll solve it with a blog post.

Happy Friday everyone. (I remember when I used to do things on Friday nights. Now I do the same thing I do every night. I get my son to sleep, I write, I Netflix, I have a glass of wine, I try to read a little, and I sleep.)

"Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/

10 Things

March 16, 2018

I haven't been very good at blogging lately. I'm not sure why. I haven't felt the need to post, but I have been writing. I'm still writing every day. Today is day 277 of writing in a row. I've not taken a break, and I'm pretty proud of myself. One of my goals was to post once a week on a blog. I haven't done that, but have posted on the book blog and a Mommy Connections blog. Not once a week though.

I think to get back at it, I'm going to do some prompts. It'll get me back to writing honestly. I'm picking and choosing one for each post, and am hoping to write once a week, but we'll see. I'm not picking them from any particular list of prompts, but just choosing what inspires me in the moment.

Today, I'm listing ten things that make me happy

1) I'm happy I've started to learn how to ask for help. The truth is I can't always handle everything myself, and if I don't learn how to ask for help, I'll probably lose my mind.

2) I'm happy to be writing consistently. Big writings or small writings, I'm keeping at it. I love it.

3) I'm happy that I can do the solo Mom thing. I'd rather be doing it with my partner, but he is working hard for us away from home, and I'm working hard at home. As much as some days I hate it, I love the great days. The feeling of being super mom isn't all bad.

4) To follow the last one up, I'm happy to have a partner who works incredibly hard for us. He hates being away from home, and we hate it too, but we know he's working to make things better, and we love seeing him on video chats.

5) I'm happy I've rediscovered the small things that help keep me happy. Crafts and scrapbooking are the major small things that come to mind. 

6) I'm happy I know how to be happy. I can see the crap moments for what they are, and acknowledge them, but I know that being happy is what gets me through it.

7) I'm happy for my family. My sister has been a LIFE SAVER these last few months. She gives me a break when I need one, but more than that, she's somebody who will come over and hang out with both my son and I. She's an adult person who I love to talk to. 

My mom comes in from out of town to give me breaks I need as well. They know I hate asking for help, but can sometimes sense my high anxiety levels, and know when I need relief. 

8) I'm happy for my friends. I may not see some of them as much as I'd like, but they listen, and they understand, and they're my friends. I'm also happy for the lifelong friends Anthony will have because of my friends.

9) I am happy for my dog. He's a big pain in the butt, but the most loving pain in the butt you've ever met.

10) I'm so happy that I get to spend my days watching my son learn new things. He's a little dare devil, and constantly keeps me on my toes. I wouldn't have it any other way. He makes me laugh all the time. (He also frustrates the hell out of me, but that's a different post.)

11) (One more for the hell of it.) I'm happy for the invention of both coffee and wine.

That's it. Hopefully I'll be back next week.

Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers, like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.”

― Jane Yolen

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

©ErinLeahMcCrea All photos I share on my blogs are my own, please Ask Me For Permission Before Using Them.

Also, check out my ongoing book blog:  Proud Bookworm at: http://bookserinread.blogspot.ca/ 

I occasionally do guest Mom posts for a local Mommy Connections blog. Check them out, and others here:
 http://www.mommyconnections.ca/saskatoon/category/mommy-connections-news/

Blogs I used to write on but not being updated:

http://lifeisgoodandhereisproof.blogspot.ca/

and

http://erinlm.blogspot.ca/