Habit formation, or how I’m failing & succeeding at the same time

by Devin Kate Pope

The silence is getting deafening over here and I have so many excuses for it, but I hate making excuses.

When I get busy I don’t write.

As person who considers herself a writer (to a humble extent), this is a bad thing. A basic principle of writing is to write every day. Even for just a few minutes. Establish the habit.

Consider that particular habit not established here.

A month ago I started a new job at a radio station. I work the morning news anchor shift, a weird departure from my previous jobs in newspapers. Having anchor by my name will require some time before I’m used to it. (Everything I’ve done so far is pre-recorded, nothing live – I’m not that much of an anchor yet.)

The job is a very welcome test of my journalism skills, distraction, source of income and way to get to know a community I’m still very much a stranger to. I’m getting way better at pronouncing local words. Kamiah = CAM-ee-eye. Touchet = TOO-she. Wawawai = wuh-WAH-wee. I’ve learned it’s sometimes near impossible to speak clearly into a mic at 4:30 a.m. Waking up at 3:30 a.m. is becoming a habit. (Believe it or not.)

A month from now I will either be holding my new baby, in the process of labor, or tapping my fingers impatiently waiting for labor. There may be a color-coded to-do list spreadsheet in my GoogleDocs. Michael and I finally went through the baby stuff we already have and it’s all tucked away neatly in drawers, waiting.

My blood pressure spiked a few weeks ago and since then I’ve been on a herbal tea + calcium + extra exercise and sleep regimen. That habit is definitely established and thankfully my blood pressure is back down.

The baby had a growth spurt and dragged my belly along for the ride. Coconut oil + inversions daily is the habit from that development.

Family has visited Michael and me twice over the past month and that was bliss. We showed them our new home and places we’re growing to love. Ate good food, cooked together, talked, played games and enjoyed every moment. Saying goodbye is a heartbreaking habit.

I carry many personal descriptors, one of which I am least qualified for is “writer.” But even when I neglect the habit, writing is always there when I stop for a moment and all my thoughts catch up to me and for that I am so thankful.