Family · Inspiration - Motivation · Writing

When the Brain Cells are Fried…

jacquelineobyikocha
Out and about
Out and about

At some point or the other, we all experience some fatigue from writing and we need those little breaks to reflect, rejuvenate and calibrate.

As a mother with school age kids and a full daily to-do list, some days can be more daunting than the others, but I have learnt over time, to fit in some little pick me ups which helps to maintain my sanity and refresh my writing juice.

Here are some of the things that I get up to:

Sleeping it off when the luxury to indulge in a power snooze presents itself. Those power snoozes does wonders for the thinking cells of a writing she or he.

Murk about in nature. A jaunt around the park, in a garden, by the sea side, in the wilds or any nature that can be found around. The nature is such a natural healer that you might even find yourself waxing poetic at the end of it all.

Picking the brains of the young ones. Sometimes, my children serve as a bouncing board for silly ideas. We could spend time reciting old rhymes and twisting it as we go along. The wonderful, fresh outlook through the eyes of a child can be refreshing to the jaded eyes of a writer.

Sweating it out: I could turbo charge with a quick round of lazy press-ups, jumping jacks, skipping or whatever gets the adrenaline pumping.

Dancing without inhibitions like a happy, roaming gypsy, or singing out loudly like a tipsy bard – in the bathroom preferably 😉

Curling up in bed or on a favorite couch with a new interest inside the reams of a book and a chamomile tea can help calm some tired nerves. Sometimes, lighting a nice, cheap and cheerful candle can even set the tone for good times 😉

Going to the cinema or going to people watch, works magic too! I find a vantage point in a busy place that teems with humans and people watch shamelessly. You will be surprised at the burst of ideas that can come through such exercise. I always attach an imaginary character to a passer-by, visualizing a lifestyle for them, based on their dressing or the little mannerisms that they express.

Running a hot tub with a dash of jasmine or eucalyptus oil. Hot water does its good work in loosening some kinks. Sit in the tub and let your mind roam free. There is no crime tag attached to just being and not doing.

When I can afford a little pampering, I go for spa treatment and just soak it all in. It does help to have a professional iron out the kinks. Otherwise, I settle for a cheap and cheerful tweaking home treatment from my children and they get to paint my toes.

Attending an open seminar/workshop and meeting new faces.

There’s an endless list of opportunities and new ventures to be explored.

So tell me, please, what works for you?

Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

In fulfillment of Writing 101

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Published by jacquelineobyikocha

A wordsmith with a vivid imagination, an eager mind and a burning desire to carve out tales. As I journey with my muse to that land of all possibilities and self discovery, I hope my personal evolution will serve as a beacon of inspiration for anyone who chooses to stop by.

65 thoughts on “When the Brain Cells are Fried…”

  7. All of the above among other things, which includes, but not limited to: a relaxing walk in the park with my canine daughter Mitzy; indulging in the Arts, I love classical music and old black and white movies, so sometimes I’d sit alone to watch or listen. I also enjoy seeking new, and as my kids puts it, random information on the web.
    -The grove below your nose and upper lip is called a Philtrum, it’s believed that when a soul leaves Heaven the imprint is left by an angel’s kiss. Which is why in some cultures it’s called just that.
    -Also the room in the after life where all souls await to be reborn is called a Guff! This was a term I heard used often back home on the island, but after doing research online found that it’s also talked about in other cultures.
    For me this isn’t really useless information, it’s information that satisfies my curiosity.

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  9. Really nice refreshing tips. Everyone sure needs a break every now and then. I’ve heard of writers block but never experienced it and I sure pray I never do.

    Btw your kids are gorgeous!!! Especially your girl. Looks just like you!

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  12. Love this post…lovely family you have there. What works for me…little jokes that sometimes comes in between talking with my kids, chatting with colleagues at work. And this one works idea magic…just listening to passengers in a taxi or bus ramble about something new happening in their life, society or just their gossip. Always something to take away.

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  13. Very fun and nice range of activities you have there, Jacquline 🙂

    I find interacting with kids both refreshing and enlightening because they are in touch with life 🙂

    I wish you very best in blogging, writing and life 🙂

    Love and light ❤

    Anand 🙂

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    1. Thanks Ms Sarah. I try to put in three hours of writing or more each day and more over the weekends. I watch a bit of TV in between and my reading to coax me to sleep 🙂 My trick to writing is to wake up an hour before the rest of the household and it helps me a great deal.

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      1. I did not mean to comment twice, I thought the cyberland gremlins had vamoosed the first comment. With no tv now but internet I am finally able to Start writing………….I do tend to read more, than watch.

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  24. Lol, Dancing without inhibitions is my number one thing to do when my brain cells are fried. I quite like car dancing, I love surprising my unsuspecting audience in Lagos traffic by dancing like no one is watching, knowing fully well that they are.

    It really is exhibitionism, if I’m totally honest 😀

    I love the photograph with your kids.

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    1. Who send any body? A beg my dear, enjoy your moments please. It is sooooo detoxing. I do it too, from Naija to US to Dubai and everywhere else. Who cares! I think we should learn to let go of some unnecessary strictures in life as long as it is done in decency (no nudity involved).

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