As a child—many years ago—I enjoyed spending lazy summer afternoons daydreaming. In those dreams I could go anywhere and be anyone: a prima ballerina, an Olympic figure skater, an Indian princess, or a space explorer.
Do children still daydream? Do you?
It’s easy to get drawn into today’s technology, and it becomes difficult—as least for people like me—to keep up with all the latest gadgets and gizmos. Our brains can be distracted and entertained by phone apps, TV shows, electronic games, and the assortment of options the Internet provides.
In all our busyness, have we forgotten to daydream? Or in all our busyness, do we believe it’s something to avoid? After all, we’re not being productive. Right?
As a writer, I disagree with daydreaming being a waste of time. Story is birthed through imagination—which is set free through daydreaming.
As an editor, I’ve encouraged my clients to use daydreaming as a tool to problem solve. One author was struggling with writer’s block, and she wrote me for advice. I told her to put the kids to bed, light some candles, climb into a hot bubble bath, and let her mind wander.
I admit that writing is work—hard work. I believe in plotting, working on characterizations, and completing research when developing story lines. But let’s not get so caught up in the “work” that we forget about what stirs us to write in the first place—the need in our souls to create.
When we set our mind free from over-stimulus and allow it to roam, we provide opportunities for creativity to surface.
What if we took and claimed this perspective? Daydreaming is part of our work! It’s one of the privileges we have as a writer.
So take some time to gaze up at the sky, rock in a chair, stare into a fire, or just close your eyes.
Give yourself permission to daydream … guilt free.
~ Dawn
