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Elisa Waingort

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A Teacher Musing Out Loud

Reading and Writing Slump…Again

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by

Elisa Waingort

in

Free Media Library

I haven’t written a blog post in two weeks. In fact, I haven’t written much of anything in two weeks. And, I’ve just started to recover from a reading slump.

Although I recently finished Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner, I struggled to get started and to keep reading. And, earlier this week, when I picked up Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin, the pattern repeated itself.

Fortunately, both books are so good that I was lured into the stories in spite of myself. Thank you, Jennifer Weiner and Uzma Jalaluddin for getting me back on track.

This has been the story of my reading and writing life this year and I know I’m not alone. If social media is to be trusted, we are all struggling to maintain the same or similar pace as readers and writers during this pandemic as we did pre-COVID .

Add to that the fact that many are mourning the death of a loved one or the end to what we used to know.

We are learning, unlearning and relearning.

We are more exhausted than we’ve ever been before. (I don’t think I was as exhausted during my first year of teaching as I am this school year.)

My emotions ebb and flow, dip and rise. And I can’t seem to stay on a steady course.

But I’m trying. So. Hard.

Cross posted to The Two Writing Teachers Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge.

15 responses to “Reading and Writing Slump…Again”

  1. Becca Kesler Avatar
    Becca Kesler

    Your short piece helps me see that I can just post thoughts and feelings. I’m fairly new to slice and I’ve wanted to write more polished pieces and I’m try to increase my volume without the inner critic talking so loudly, Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Elisa Waingort Avatar
      Elisa Waingort

      Do it!

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  2. Alice Avatar
    Alice

    Slumps. They happen, like good days and bad days. Recognizing them is important to get through them. I skipped a week and it felt much longer. Glad you posted today because it does help to get past such moments.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Our brains are tired with all of the extra things they have to remember this year, and with all of the switching lanes on a dime, with not really being able to plans things because who knows what next week will look like? I think that’s why so many people are having trouble reading and writing at the pace to which they’ve become accustomed. There’s only so much cranial bandwidth. But the finish line is in sight, thank goodness.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Elisa Waingort Avatar
      Elisa Waingort

      Karen, you put this situation we are all experiencing so clearly! I agree that it’s the uncertainty that is making everything so hard. We can’t plan like we’re used to doing and everything changes as we speak. Here’s to hoping that things get better, soon!

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  4. mbhmaine Avatar
    mbhmaine

    Congratulations on posting today. I don’t think I’ve ever had such a long non-posting stretch myself. I feel positive that I posted today and hope you do as well! Everything feels a bit off these days, so be kind to yourself and hang in there! You’re not alone.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Elisa Waingort Avatar
      Elisa Waingort

      Thank you for your kind words. This community makes me feel supported and not alone. I will keep coming back, of course.

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  5. Lainie Levin Avatar
    Lainie Levin

    Learning. Unlearning. Relearning. This speaks to the HEART of it all. This work is important, but exhausting. I feel you, and I see you.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Elisa Waingort Avatar
      Elisa Waingort

      Thank you, Lainie. Agreed that this work is important. That’s probably why I keep coming back and trying again. Stay well.

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  6. Heather Morris Avatar
    Heather Morris

    Oh, Elisa, you have said everything that I am feeling and have felt for a while. I have been in a writing slump over the last few weeks, and it makes me sad. I was finding my joy and sanity in writing. It is nice to know I am not alone.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Elisa Waingort Avatar
      Elisa Waingort

      Heather, I hear you! I think many of us are feeling this way. The thing is that this slump comes and goes. Sometimes I feel great about all the reading and writing I’m doing, then other times I just can’t read an entire page or write a whole sentence. I know it will pass, but I’m tired of having to relieve this feeling over and over again. Here’s to hoping the summer changes that!

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  7. onathought Avatar
    onathought

    Oh, I hear you! I have been in such a slump. It’s been so hard. I am hoping that the summer un-slumps me … but I fear I am too tired and will slump myself into naps instead. . .

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Elisa Waingort Avatar
      Elisa Waingort

      LOL, Ona! I think slumping into naps during the summer is a perfect way to recover from this crazy year. It may be just what you need to get out of that slump. Will be thinking of you. Have a great summer!

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  8. Leigh Anne Eck Avatar
    Leigh Anne Eck

    From our conversation at TTW Tuesday, it appears you/we have lots of company! We seemed to all agree that we are in a slump. But we will recover…I am sure of it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Elisa Waingort Avatar
      Elisa Waingort

      Yes, Leigh Anne! The good thing about a slump is that it doesn’t last forever. The only truth is that everything is always changing. It may sound trite, but it gives me hope.

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