I just heard one of my editors is in the hospital (get well soon, Leanne!), and one of my critique partners thinks she is getting sick again - less than a week after recovering from a two-week illness. We have to stop working so hard! I'm guilty of the same thing. Yesterday I was hit hard on the head by a misbehaving car door, (drew blood even) bopped in the nose and dropped something on my foot, but I just kept on truckin'. Went to the day job with a flaming headache which I still have, and still managed to edit an entire novella. Where is the Christmas spirit, the relaxation with family? I didn't even deign to watch twenty-minute sitcom with my husband!
   Today is the first day of Christmas vacation from my day job, a very sore subject with me. I didn't want a vacation, and was forced into it by my company's lack of work. So, I figured I'd finish a novella, edit an almost completed novel, then get back to the sequel of One Juror Down (release date coming soon). My husband found out this morning that he has to work out of town next week, so instead of sleeping in I started planning how I might go with him, and what equipment I'd need - laptop, alphasmart, books I need to review, research material, is there an internet cafe? 
   Why can't I enjoy myself?
   It has been a little over two years since I left conventional corporate America, where, despite being on-call a lot, I had a regular work day and fairly regular off hours. I've lost track of that concept. Even writers need time off, and this means you! Read a book! Play with your family! Take a walk! Life is too short. My family members regularly pass away at this dark time of year, and I know from my day job that it's not unusual. Revel in the holiday spirit with the ones you love. The work can wait.
   Relax!

 

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