I don’t know about you, but in my attempt to keep up with publishing changes, my stress level often rises. My email box posts roughly 200 emails daily, the majority of them telling me how to best edit, publish, market, and partner with influencers. How to work Amazon. . . how to hate Amazon. How print sales are falling. . . how they are rising. How bookstores are struggling. . . how they are surging back.

I see so many writers scrambling to the next shiny thing trying to grasp the latest advice, tool, or concept. Of course books, courses, podcasts, and conferences are going to instill in you the right path to take for each venture.

I recently watched a TED talk about how emotions can change the shape of your heart. Emotions can also mean stress if you listen to the speaker (or read the text online). Your heart takes a beating with stress and can literally show the signs in the shape it changes to and from.

I’m a serious advocate of simplifying life. There a few indie authors I watch from afar, on one hand admiring their persistence and drive. . . on the other hand grateful I’m not them. To avoid the feeling that I’m failing, not doing enough, or falling short, I will only read half of what they send out so that they don’t stress me out.

You pick and choose what you want in life, and if you aren’t doing what the six-figure authors are doing, that doesn’t label you as a slacker.

The point is to remember why you started writing in the first place. Do you have to work hard? Sure you do. But your life becomes so much sweeter if you are working hard at what you love. Don’t let that purpose evade you in the fast-flowing current of the business.

I want you to be happy.