Thanksgiving can feel like a busy season. Whether you are going to a family or friend gathering or hanging out in the town square, it may feel like you’re watching a river of people rush by. As writers, we are often curious about observing people, listening to dialogue, paying attention to the setting. Those are all good writing practices, and you can certainly pick up a lot of inspiration.
But this season, try something a little different. Be fully present. Don’t worry about taking notes or trying to notice things. Just live the experience. Feel the inspiration. Don’t try to figure out how to capture it in words. Just be.
If you want to jot down notes of something that fits with your current project, that you don’t want to forget, that’s great. Notes are a writer’s friend, for sure. But don’t get so caught up in the details that you miss the moment. Soak it all in.
Inspiration comes from lived experience, not just from brainstorming and planning. As a writer, make the most of the experiences that surround you. When the time comes to sit in front of your keyboard, you’ll be amazed at how all that inspiration brings reflection and a flow of words.
This Thanksgiving, in whatever ways you experience the holiday, choose a time to be fully present in whatever is going on around you. Resist the urge to take notes. Just observe. Don’t try to organize and catalog the details. Just watch. Listen. Be. Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
Janet Eriksson 