I’m just in from a coffee shop. Alright. Yes, it was Starbucks. And, surprise, surprise. There were 4 people in there with MacBook Airs. And they looked pretty much how I would’ve looked, had I also brought mine.
They were scarfed and sweatered. Fenced in by open books, cords, pens, mugs and, of course, phones.
At first, I was envious. Thinking how I long for days of doing nothing but writing. It’s a glorious feeling, you know. To be sure of your purpose. And for it to be something you enjoy. Something you find fulfilling. Albeit scorching and torturous at times.
And while I waited for my order, I, for the zillionth time, imagined a world where writing is my only focus. A world, that in reality, will never be. And, that’s okay. In my heart of hearts, I really wouldn’t want that, would I. I mean, where would my family be? Where’s my home in that scenario?
I don’t ever want to be without those things. Those distractions as they are sometimes referred to.
Anyway, what started as pre-beverage envy ended in post-coffee realization. Not one of those blessed little lambs was actually using their laptops. Every single one of them was on their phone.
Texting. Liking. Sharing.
Wasting.
Using valuable time. Precious, hard-to-come-by freedom. To generate useless statuses and insignificant tweets.
But, in truth, I really have no clue what they were doing on their phones. Never mind judging whether whatever they were doing was insignificant or useless. They may have been replying to agent’s proclamations, “CONGRATULATIONS, we sold your novel!” Or throwing out a few likes in support of fellow writers. Perhaps sharing triumphant news of a book deal.
Who knows? Like I said, not me. I just tend to make wild assumptions when I’m coffee-deficient.
So, I admit to suffering from misplaced projection. Putting myself in their chairs. Surrounding my own being with beloved writing gear. Staring into productivity-stealing space. And spending too much time on a phone of my own.
But luckily, the coffee-sufficient me sees the advantage to having, what one might call, an overactive imagination. Next trip, the phone stays in my pocket.
What? You didn’t think I’d turn it off, did you!
I really enjoy your little stories! Soon you will be able to spend all day writing! I can’t wait!
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Thank you so much, Karen. I’m so thankful for your readership. 🙂
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Look, that’s Hazy Shades of Me over there. Maybe she’s writing about us while sipping her Starbucks. 😘
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LOL
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Every time I’m at a Starbucks, I see the same thing. Like you, I envy those who can go to a coffee shop or bookstore, pull out their laptop and phone, and do nothing but goof off. I can’t really complain because I’ve done the same thing. I was at a Starbucks today, playing around with my blog. I still don’t have it where I want it to be, but that can be fixed. I could have started a short story or a novel, but decided blogging and tweeting were more important. So, who am I to complain?
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I’m in a similar boat, GR. I struggle with my blog and the fact that I love doing it and that it forces me to write regualarly, but I know it also hinders me from story/novel writing. No one’s fault but my own, however, realistically, there’s only so much time in the day.
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Hazy – so glad to hear your voice. Acceptance of where I am now remains my goal.
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Thank you for being happy to hear my voice. And for still being here. It means a lot to me.
I definitely hope you are accepting of where you are, PC. You’re a great lady and have worked very hard. :))
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Every day I work at it.
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