I wanted to use this issue to discuss self-care for authors. It’s a topic we don’t talk about much, but it’s very important if we plan on having a long career with our writing. I find when working with my clients that they deal with a lot of burnouts and overwhelm when it comes to their promotion. I believe you can’t build your readership if you’re stressed out in your life.
As an author, we have a bad habit of putting other things before our health. I know I’m guilty of this. I’m working on improving my self-care. I hope after you read this issue if you’re not practicing self-care, you will work on improving yours too.
I like to use myself as an example because I want you to see that I’ve experienced what I share here. I’ve always been a petite person, so I’ve never been on a diet. When I reached my 40s, my metabolism slowed down and my not exercising was finally catching up to me. I wasn’t sleeping well, and my productivity was going down.
As I started learning more about self-care, I found there were five things that happen when you don’t practice self-care.
5. You Experience Decrease Productivity
When you’re not practicing self-care. You’re not feeling well. Your energy level is low. Which usually means your productivity goes down. You don’t have the energy to create content. You don’t want to spend time online. Before you know it, you’ve stopped promoting and your book has lost visibility.
4. You Experience Creative Burnout
When you’re not practicing self-care, you burn out fast. You can’t come up with fresh ideas. Your marketing campaigns suffer. Your social media posts slowly stop because you can’t think of anything to share. You feel stuck.
3. Your Experience Promotion Overwhelm
When you’re not practicing self-care. You feel stress. Your anxiety is high. You can’t think straight. You’re not paying attention to your calendar. You’re avoiding all activities because you just don’t feel like it.
2. Your Relationship Suffers
When you’re not practicing self-care, you’re not making any new relationships. You’re tired. You’re not in the mood to deal with people. You’re cranky. You’re not answering emails. You’re putting strains on relationships because you’re missing deadlines because you’re overwhelmed.
- You Experience Health Issues
When you’re not practicing self-care, you’re neglecting yourself. You’re tired. You’re dealing with headaches and high blood pressure. You’re not paying attention to the way your body feels. You’re missing signs and before you know it, you’re in the ER.
I know that seems like a lot, but that’s just the start if you’re not taking care of YOU.
Just like promotion starts with you, self-care starts with you too. Let’s get into the habit of taking care of ourselves before someone else has to.
One of the best gifts I received from my children was a Fitbit Electronic Step Monitor/Watch. This watch informed me I was a true couch potato. I didn’t have any exercise in my life.
The watch helped me set daily step goals and started walking daily. It was a start to me improving my self-care routine.
Here are a few things that I suggest you try to get you on the self-care path:
Create A Schedule – This helps with know how often you want to promote. It keeps you consistent and not overwhelmed. This helps you stay healthy.
Watch What You Eat – if you skip meals when you are writing or promoting, this is for you. It’s time to change your eating habits.
Take Breaks – Sometimes we get so caught up in what we’re doing that we forget to take a break. Step away from your desk, go for a walk, refresh your mind.
Stay Active – Find an activity that you enjoy. Walking, yoga, or some form of exercise to get you moving. Your body needs it. Set a daily step goal.
Stay Hydrated – You won’t believe how much water helps maintain your balance. It gives you energy and keeps you from being dehydrated.
Connect with friends – Sometimes we’re doing all this writing and promoting by ourselves. It’s nice to hang out with people who understand the madness. Schedule time with your writer friends.
Find A Hobby – writing might have been your hobby now it has turned into a career. Now it’s time to find something else fun to do. Get out of the house.
Have A Spa Day – A massage will do you good.
Take A Nap – A nap gives your brain time to relax and refresh.
Seek Professional Help – Sometimes we can’t get out of the rut by ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with asking for more help. Find someone to talk to and get the help you need so you can get back to doing what you love.
Reward Yourself – There’s nothing like treating yourself for all the good things you’re doing in your life. If you’ve reached the goals, you set. Reward yourself.
Reflect And Adjust – Always make time to see how your self-care is going. Maybe you need to adjust what you’re doing.
Remember, you can’t do what you love if you’re stressed out. If you’re not feeling good. If your body’s not working right. Take care of YOU.
Action Steps:
Create A Healthy Routine
Create A Mental Health Strategy
Create A Physical Wellness Strategy
Create A Supportive Community
Remember book promotion starts with YOU. Make sure to subscribe to get next issue.
https://www.subscribepage.com/byrnsl
See Ya On The Net,
LaShaunda
P.S. Do you need more help with your book promotion? Read Building Your Readership On Kindle Vella – https://www.amazon.com/Building-Your-Readership-Becoming-Butterfly/dp/B09BBZ617X
