I’m switching back to my old role at work soon, date not set but hopefully mid-January after we’re all mostly caught up from the Christmas break and my supervisors can figure out a good timeline together.

My current role has me in front of a couple of monitors all day, especially after notifications stopped being completely reliable on the work phone. With this much screen time, I’m doing things to pass the time that I shouldn’t be doing. I’m getting my work done, but then what do I do when I have nothing to do? There is so much temptation, and so one could say that I am fleeing temptation by getting out of this position. I want to use my time in a way that helps writer brain and also use my time in a way that I’m proud of.

I want to go back to making stuff. I do much better when I can keep my hands busy. I also enjoy improving the communication skills involved in training others. They are different communication skills than those needed to tell a good story, but I want to improve all aspects of my communication skills.

I’m looking forward to changing schedules. No one cares what you do in the morning — how often does anyone ask you to meet in the morning (or even afternoon) on a weekday? It is very rare. I know of one Monday afternoon a month where I will have a social commitment once I switch schedules. Those weekday evenings, however? The weekday evenings seem to be a time when people meet up to do things, or at least a time when neighbors are out doing things. Since moving back into the neighborhood, I’ve been working the evenings, so I’ve missed most of that social activity lately, but I do know that that’s when people catch up yardwork after day shift, have meetings or even just get dinner together when there’s no expectation to get done at a certain time to get someone back to work. I want to help with yard work, and I want to help on Wednesday nights. My church kids are one of my biggest motivations for my writing. I want to set a good example of developing a craft and following God’s will for my life, and it will be so much fun to share these stories with fellow voracious readers.

In summary, I want to do more at work and outside of work. I want to make stuff, not just look at screens. I want to not have to say no to activities and be more involved in my people’s lives.