HOW TO SHAKE OFF THE WORLD (HOLLY SCHINDLER)

Human lives are not writing-conducive. They’re just not. They’re full of triumphs and heartache and ups and downs and chores and most of the time, it seems amazing to me that any books ever get written at all.

Sometimes, the best thing you can do for yourself is find a way to shake the world off--all the have-tos and the responsibilities and the routines--and reconnect with yourself. Then, your mind can focus better on your project.

A few ways to shake off the world:

Do some yoga

Walk the dog

Sing a song

Go to the farmer’s market

Cook something you’ve never made before

Take a class

Scratch a home repair off the honey-do list

Watch a classic movie

Learn a new hobby—sewing, painting, etc.

Change your hair

Explore a new corner of your city—somewhere you’ve never gone before

Take a drive without a map

Eat an ice cream cone

Pay a compliment to a stranger

Wear something (a piece of jewelry, perfume, etc.) you usually save for special occasions

Play one-on-one

Eat taffy

Dangle your feet in the lake

Howl at the moon