My husband was sitting at the desk finishing up some work for the week when I came into the office, huffy and agitated. I had my portable office in hand — a box-like tote that holds pens, paper, files, a stapler, my laptop, and whatever books I happen to be reading. I slammed this down before flopping onto the loveseat.

He was surprised to see me. I usually stay outside, working on the back porch, for three to four hours every morning.

“My hair is making me mad,” I said, knowing darn well that wasn’t the reason I came in, but it was the first thing that popped into my head.

He looked at me and started to laugh.

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I wasn’t mad at my hair. I love my long, loose spirals. I chopped it off once when I was young and regretted it for years until it finally grew out. Nowadays, it’s free-flowing, occasionally tamed by a straightener or curling iron, but for the most part, casual like me. No, my hair definitely was not the problem.

And neither was the Georgia humidity. Yes, the sauna-like atmosphere interrupts my outdoor time on occasion, but not any more so than rain, heavy dew, or the blazing afternoon sun. If I’m concerned I might get wet, I move to the chair closest to the back door; when my preferred seat is too damp in the early morning hours, I lay towels down before settling in. When I get hot, I turn on the outdoor fan, although I learned the hard way to corral my loose pages first so they don’t float into the neighbor’s yard. And when the sticky air gives way to cool fall mornings, I will likely fire up the patio heater to be sure I keep my creative routine intact.

The point is, I’ve stayed outside, reading, drafting content, and editing my work every day without fail for weeks now. The weather has been unusually cooperative, and I love the feel of working outside, watching rabbits scurry along the tree line and deer mosey through our backyard. I spent years stuck at my desk, unable to function without a multi-monitor setup. Only recently have I started using a lightweight laptop that lets me take my writing wherever I choose. I take this outdoor time seriously. After all, it reflects a change in lifestyle, in how I approach my work. It also inspires my creative side to let loose.

No, my hair wasn’t the problem, and neither was the weather. It was me. I’d been trying to finalize several posts, two of a timely nature because of the NHL Stanley Cup final, one a response to a question I was asked on my About Me piece. I was struggling with all three. The hockey pieces didn’t flow as I hoped and writing on my change from executive to freelancer was more personal and long-winded than I intended.

As I struggle to navigate new waters, it’s hard to admit when I’m failing, whether that’s an inability to convey my point in a way that reflects my natural writing style or failure to corral my ramblings. So, my hair — the least likely of offenders — shouldered the blame. (See what I did there?) But if it hadn’t been my hair, it would have been anything else I could come up with as an excuse for my lack of production. As I noted in The Lies Writers Believe, if I’m always looking for a way to avoid writing, I will find it.

My husband and I got a good laugh out of my ludicrous statement, and it encouraged me to step away from my work for the day. I’d been pushing myself pretty hard, and I guess I’d finally worn myself out. We got out of the house for a while, and later, I took a nap. We had breakfast for dinner — French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon — then watched a movie with the kids (about hockey, of course).

I picked up my phone once or twice to do a quick scan of Medium and Twitter and to look at a book I was considering. (Okay, three books… Well, maybe more like five.) We had a full, relaxing day, and not once did I think about my unproductive start. Today, I woke up early, ready to take another shot at the whole “being a writer” thing.

Sometimes the most ridiculous comments hide a deeper truth. The sooner I recognize that and focus on the real issue, the better off I am. And, if I can’t seem to stay focused on whatever task is at hand… Well, thankfully, a hair clip isn’t too far away.

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