As you can probably imagine, writing a book is not easy in anyway whatsoever.
Last week, at 6:15 in the morning, I basically had a mental breakdown. I just sobbed and sobbed while sitting at my laptop. I wasn’t even frustrated with my writer’s block or being thousands of words behind schedule. I just felt totally defeated trying to juggle so many jobs while writing a book at the same time. It’s just too much.
Anyway, the point of my story wasn’t to be totally depressing, but instead to share how wonderful my readers (and my sister) are to me, especially when I need it the most.
Last week, one of my blog readers sent me a link to the most adorable print, which immediately cheered me up and help me put things in perspective.
Doesn’t it just say it all?!?
Yesterday, my sister gave this print to me as a gift, and, of course, it put the biggest smile on my face. I put it behind my laptop as a constant reminder to “Keep Calm and Love Pugs” while writing this book– word by word, one day at a time, and with lots of hugs for Murphy. 
Snack
I was super snack-y this afternoon– probably because my lunch wasn’t very substantial. 
Even still, I listened to my body and ate when it said it was hungry.
Mid-afternoon, I made myself a 3-Minute Oatmeal Raisin Cookie with almond butter.
And, a little while later, I did some damage on a bag of Sea Salt & Vinegar potato chips. Once I started, I couldn’t stop! 
Dinner
Tonight’s dinner was inspired by a recipe from the December issue of Health magazine: Lemony Shrimp with White Beans and Couscous.
We didn’t have all of the ingredients that the recipe called for, so I made a number of modifications, including using brown rice instead of couscous, replacing the scallions with diced yellow onions, and omitting the flat-leaf parsley. I think my version came out pretty great! 
While cooking, I sipped on a small glass of white wine.
What a delicious meal! The beans were easily the best part with tons of lemony-garlic flavor. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
For dessert, I whipped-up my favorite treat: Sandwich Thin + peanut butter + chocolate and peanut butter chips. I think a second one of these babies is in my future tonight.
My plan for the rest of the evening is to do a little writing then watch a movie with M & M. I need some vegging out in my life!
G’night! 
P.S. I’m debuting my game plan for Lose the Dough tomorrow!!! Hope you’re ready!
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I can’t wait for your Lose the dough game plan! Reading your blog is a serious motivation as I too have to lose some dough!
Also I love the “Keep Calm” print! What an awesome present. Good luck with the book!
my favorite thing about this post is Murphy’s face under the bag of chips you ate out of…how could you not love pugs with that face?
i’m totally losin’ the dough with you starting tomorrow!
what an adoooorable print! i love it. oh & your go-to choc. chip dessert ALWAYS looks delicious! i’m anxious to hear the lose the dough game plan! enjoy your night.
I just started reading your blog, I belive it was yesterday… and I love it already! I can’t wait for you to debut your plan for “Lose the Dough”. Outsiders can join you right? I just might!
I’m excited for Lose the Dough
Big hugs sweetie…I can imagine how overwhelming all of that is to juggle. Is there any way you can have your hours reduced at one of the jobs?
Love the print too btw.
I love sipping on wine when making dinner, makes me feel so adult
Glad you’re feeling better about your writing . . . YOU CAN DO IT . . . think of all the things you didn’t think you could do before in your life . . . I’m sure you found a way to do those, and you’ll find a way to do this too!
Thanks so much for always being so honest with us, I’ve been so stressed out with work as well and had a little break down of my own. It’s so nice to be reminded that vegging out is ok!
Hi Tina – I love your blog — keep up the great work!
I love that print! It’s good to have little reminders like that
Your dinner looks so delicious!
That picture is so you! Keep your chin up. You sure have a lot on your plate, but I BELIEVE you can do it. I want to write a book someday, but can imagine it’s tough (without a million other jobs). Keep up the good work. You’re very much appreciated =)
I hope things start falling into place soon! You do have a lot going on and it’s OKAY to feel like you do! Your blog readers (including myself) will always be behind you if you have to blog fewer entries or keep us waiting a little longer– just make sure you’re listening to yourself!
That print is SO cute!
Can’t wait to see your lose the dough game plan! I have a get back on track game plan that started today!
Sounds like you have a LOT on your plate right now. I hope you can enjoy a relaxing evening. Looking forward to lose the dough.
Sorry to hear you were having a rough patch – sometimes we all just need a good cry! It sounds like you’ve used your support system and some positive thinking to pull through – good for you! I like to have weird motivational things around to help me too. They don’t always make sense to others, but they speak to me – and that’s what I need!
yes, doggies definitely help in times of stress – nothing like a slobbery kiss to bring your focus on the present!
I’m glad that Murphy is a good reminder to keep calm. Your book will be amazing you just need to write it one word at a time.
Praying for you Tina.
Dogs really do help calm the storm. I am thinking of you.. I am sure writing a book is difficult but I have all the faith in you!
You are lovin those breaky cookies!! Looks so good though!
Yummy dinner and love your dessert!
I’m excited to see the details of the game plan!
And the sandwich thin/pb/choc is SO delicious!!! I tried it for the first time tonight… oh wow. I see an addiction in my future…
And try not to get discouraged. It’s SO amazing that you are juggling all of what you are. And I know that I can’t wait to read the book!!
Wow that dinner looks awesome I think I’m going to try it asap with tofu and quinoa instead
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Can’t wait to hear about the Lose the Dough game plan. Sorry to hear you’re struggling with writer’s block. I know how much that sucks … I’m just jealous that you actually have a contract for your book — I’m just starting to shop my manuscript around.
That print is adorable! I want to give you a huge hug, ‘cus it’s like your superwoman or something. Also I feel like I need to stock up on some pug-art myself. So cute!
That keep calm print is great. Remember to take lots of deep breaths!!! I have a question….do you toast your Sandwich Thin for your peanut butter treat or not? It looks great!
Aw…sometimes you just HAVE to have a good cry to release all that stress. I am SUPER impressed at all that you do, Tina. You’re a multi-tasking, job-juggling warrior with a bitchin’ blog. Don’t let the stress get to you too badly!
I love how honest you are about the whole process; some people would probably not rather admit that they ever feel defeated. I’m sure the book of someone as open as you will be amazing
Sorry to hear that you are so stressed right now, but I know you are strong and the book will get written and it will be great! I love that a reader and your sister knew exactly how to make you smile with that print. I hope it helps whenever you’re feeling stressed.
I want to make your 3 minute cookie- it looks awesome.
Lastly, I am totally pumped to see your Lose the Dough game plan. I am trying to make my 25th year the fittest I’ve ever been so perhaps your goals will inspire me!!
Writing my senior thesis was by far the most stressful time of my life….and that only had to be 45 pages! I can’t even imagine writing a book – it really does seem incredibly overwhelming. But the important thing is that you don’t let it get to you. You’ve got the right mindset – one word at a time. Trust in yourself that you’re a great writer!
Can’t wait for Lose the Dough tomorrow =)
Great picture- love it!! And you’re gonna get this book done, just keep telling yourself that! Much <333
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I think what you’re doing is amazing, and completely inspiring. To manage all that is already on your plate, ON TOP of writing a BOOK… it’s normal to breakdown. Anyone would. And the fact that you just let it out, picked yourself back up, and moved on shows you CAN do this.
Hang in there! You have a lot of people rooting for you, including me. I can’t wait to read your book and I just know it’s going to be great after being reading your blog religiously now for about 3 months.
I completely understand your reaction to everything you’re trying to juggle right now. I’m the “break down and sob because I’m so overwhelmed” kinda girl too. Sometimes, having a cry is exactly what you need.
Aww, sorry you felt so overwhelmed! How nice of your sister to cheer you up with such a cute print. You’re going to write an AMAZING book!
PS: I would love to have a bowl of your dinner right now.
I’m so sorry to hear that you are strugging with the book!! I think all of us writers have break downs every now and then but it all comes together one way or another. I love that print, too!!!
Aw, that’s so cool that your sister got the print! I’m glad you liked it. (I actually think my roommate and I are going to nab the “Keep Calm and Drink Wine” version.) I’m sure your book is going to be fantastic – you’re obviously dedicated to writing, and even though a book is different from a daily blog and articles, they’re a great foundation. Have a great Monday!
Sometimes you just need two deserts! If you like peanut butter and chocolate, you should try Averie’s raw peanut butter cups. I made them tonight and they are AMAZING!
Good luck with the book, I’m sure things will work out
Don’t worry Tina- when I get super bogged down with my millions of jobs (being a freelance singer is INSANE!!) I just have to let myself have a moment like you had, tears aren’t a bad thing! They are probably just the emotional release you needed. What an adorable print, and you’re totally right- just hug Murphy to cheer you up, my cat Eloise always makes me feel better. I’m excited for your game plan to go up tomorrow. I am totally jumping on the bandwagon with you- we’re going to ring in 30 looking amazing!
Oh, keep your chin up. It’s so hard juggling so many things, but you have so many great things going on in your life! I am overwhelmed myself lately with trying to find a job after being out of my career for too many years. I have stayed home with my kids until they started school and then helped my husband get his business off the ground. Now, I have to figure out what I am going to do with the rest of my life! Frustrating! Thank you for sharing your frustrations…it is nice to not feel alone out there!
I love that print! I have the same one, but reads ‘keep calm and buy shoes.’
Love the print! Hang in there! You are an amazing woman to handle all the things you do on a daily basis! Please remember to take some time to cherish yourself as you go through this process, and as strange as it may sound…relish every moment of writing a book because that is one of my dreams and I love reading about every precious moment.
I am sorry you had a break-down, but I just wanted to tell you how amazing and entertaining your blog is and I’m sure your book will be just as, if not more, wonderful! Keep looking at that print and smiling, hug Murphy, and definitely don’t forget to take time for yourself. It’ll all work out perfectly for you!!
Your dinner looks delicious, that is something I would totally make! Sorry to hear about the breakdown, but you will be great and keep up the good work!!!! Enjoy your night.
Awww. I can imagine how much pressure you must feel. Do you know what? Back when you posted about your book deal (and it seemed like everyone was getting book deals at the same time), I read your post and immediately started crying. I’ve been working on my book forever, and I was so jealous for whatever reason. For all the same reasons you are feeling frazzled. Working a million jobs and feelings tons of pressure. It happens to all of us. You are a great inspiration to so many people, and I know without a doubt you can do it. Good luck to you!
Deep breaths definitely help — just remember that you were chosen to write a book for a reason. The ability is in you, you just need to release it and let the words flow.
Vegging out, good for you!
Can’t wait until the debut of the Lose the Dough Challenge! I am starting a new grocery challenge – it should be save the dough! All about saving money at the grocery store while moving into the third trimester!
Looking forward to hearing about the Lose the Dough challenge
I am waiting to post my ‘game plan’ too 
You are a strong woman – and I am sure you will do wonderfully on the book writing front 
Sorry to hear about the ‘breakdown’
aww I’m sorry you were so stressed!! You definetly deserve to veg out for a bit girl
Have a good evening!
Those prawns look MASSIVE! I’m assuming they are the king size prawns and you don’t just eat off like, a baby plate
Aww Tina, I’m sorry for your stress. I know firsthand that writing is not easy. Writing is supposedly my ‘thing,’ and it still frustrates me to no end on a pretty regular basis. You have good days and bad days. And I firmly believe that the good days compensate for the bad days!
I have every confidence that you’ll pull through! Can’t wait to read your book in the future!
I can’t wait to read your game plan. Salt and Vinegar chips have the same effect on me…I can’t keep them in the house..lol. I hope that today is a little brighter for you. Remember just close your eyes and take a deep breath, life will be there when you open them.
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