Hey.
I'm writing here, because I don't know exactly what the most convenient way to give you a message would be. I sent that note, but that was a big long note full of a lot of serious sounding phrases and requests to think important thoughts and make big decisions.
(And by no means am I here to complain or air dirty laundry. I'm here to help.)
So, in your recent journal, which mentioned me and made me feel special since you felt I was worth mentioning, you said a lot of stuff was burdening you at the moment. Having been an over-burdened person myself, I want to do what I can to help you.
If at this time, you simply cannot fit writing in, that's okay. Many artists suffer greatly and needlessly for trying to force art when their creative process is just not happening. You are not a machine--if you can't crank out lit on a schedule or on demand, that is fine.
If you can fit lit in, and maybe use writing as a detox or decompression technique after a busy day, than that's Cloud 9 wonderful.
The main thing is to know yourself. Know yourself, know yourself, know yourself. Know when to admit your limits. Admitting limits is a healthy and helpful thing. Healthy in that you're not trying to push yourself beyond what you are [happily] capable of, helpful in that we can work on honest (honest meaning "true to life," not "lacking deceit") principles and guidelines for our work together.
It is fine to say "I'm just not going to be writing right now." I've kind of been in this position for a few months--I've written a few things, but mostly I hate what I've written with a sort of apathetic "You're just not right for me" feeling. It's okay to say "I appreciate what you've done, and what we've done together, and I feel like right now I should be writing on my own instead of with a mentor." I promise I won't get my feelings hurt if you tell me I'm not part of your creative process. It's also fine to say "I wish I could be writing right now, I wish I could be working with a mentor right now, but this is just not going to happen."
The thing about each of these phrases is that each is an assertion. "This is true because I am choosing it to be true." None is superior to the others--the only superior factor is
truth.
My note talked a lot about processes, and organization, and clear/constant communication. What I want to say right now is that all of these can be completely extraneous to truth.
Instead of all that stuff I talked about in the note, what I want you to focus on is "What is true of me right now?" Right now ambiguity and uncertainty will work against you. Saying "I would love to, but I can't" not only frees you from that item, but also frees you from the guilt that goes along with neglecting it.
If I can get you to just analyze this base level of priorities, then I have done my job as a mentor. I would be happy to know what your decision is, once you have had time to consider what is best for you.