by Tari Faris, @FarisTari

This week I turned in my book. It is my FIRST deadline. The first of many to come, I’m sure.

In the past month, I have discovered that an “on-deadline” brain is a real thing—at least for me. Like pregnancy-brain only instead of being caused by hormones, it is caused by the fact that part of my cerebrum is always in a fictional world.

I have burned dinners, missed appointments, and forgotten things someone told me just minutes after hearing it. I even forgot my husband’s birthday.
And even more than all this: I have felt stressed.
Of course, we all have stress. And a deadline is stress. A good stress that keeps me moving forward.

But I have felt just overwhelmed by every little task that came my way. My to-do list had grown too big and was breading neurotic-unhelpful stress. Like worrying about getting old, the fact I don’t drink enough water, do I floss enough—no, how long will that washing machine last, am I doing enough at work, do my kids read enough, am I spending enough time with them . . . I could go on but hopefully, you can see the ridiculousness of it all.

I do need to concern myself with many of them: flossing, water consumption, time with my family and many of the others. But they shouldn’t cause the gut-churning stress that makes me feel deep down like I am failing. So, last week, as a wash of stressors tidal-waved over me, I decided to do something about it. I pulled out my sticky notes (because I love sticky notes), and I started adding one word to each note: Webpage, Novella, skin, teeth, water, strength. . . I also added my to-do list: Clean kitchen, vacuum, laundry. . .

Then I stuck them where I could see them. I prayed over them, tackled what I could when I could, and let them go. Okay, so it will take more than that. After all, taking care of my teeth will require more than praying over them. I will actually have to floss. But, by keeping the list in front of me, I can see the priorities, goals, or concerns that I want to focus on. Yet, I will tackle everything one day at a time with God’s strength.

In fact, this has helped so much I think I will keep the sticky notes posted where I can see them even after I turn in my book. Keeping those big goals in front of me remind me to pray over them and work toward them a little each day.

I even made another board where I can see what I have tackled. This helps me see that I am getting things done and I am moving forward even when I feel the title wave coming.

Have you experienced “on deadline” brain? How did you cope?

Tari Faris has been writing fiction for thirteen years but has been creating fiction in her head as long as she can remember. She signed with Revell for her debut novel – You Belong with Me – which will be released in September 2019. She is represented by Wendy Lawton at Books & Such Literary Management and is a member of ACFW and My Book Therapy. She was the 2017 Genesis winner, 2016 Genesis finalist, and 2014 Genesis finalist. In addition to her writing, she also work for My Book Therapy as a special project manager and blog coordinator for LearnHowToWriteANovel.com . When she is not writing or working, she spends time with her amazing husband and kids. In her free time, she loves coffee, rock hounding with her husband and kids, and distracting herself from housework. You can connect with her at www.tarifaris.com