I Failed NaNoWriMo But Won the Jackpot — Freedom

It took me a while to realize there are a time and place for every dream. Trying to force it only results in pain.

Licensed by the author from Shutterstock

I slept so well last night. So much so that my parents freaked out that they couldn’t wake me in the morning. I don’t remember a night in recent history where I was so deep in slumber.

I hope it continues.

A decision I had made yesterday — a big one — led to sleeping so well. I admitted defeat on NaNoWriMo.

But it wasn’t just the challenge itself that I had given up. I had sacrificed so much more. All of that emotional baggage weighed on me.

What changed, you ask? Aside from the fact that as of writing these words, there are less than 5 hours until November ends?

Here, let me explain.

I Was Suffering From a Lot of Stress

During the last few months leading to November, all I could think about was my fantasy world. I recounted to myself how to get it published, how much work there is, and how little I had accomplished so far.

This need to create more ruled my nights after work, or my commutes to work in transit. I would wake up early in the mornings…