Questions + Answers

From Robert M.

I know that you juggle quite a few things at a time. You are a writer, a performer, a song writer, and a mom to a handicapped son. How do you allocate your time and keep all those balls in the air?

Robert

---

Dear Robert,

The simple answer is this: Yes, I do juggle. I keep failing at all of those things you listed and I keep trying them again.

But as far as the balls are concerned, they fall to the ground every single day.

My second husband used to say to me that I was constitutionally incapable of not trying hard at everything I do. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do tend to make a lot of effort on things. I don’t think that it’s smart effort most of the time, but I am learning and training my brain to think differently, as some of y’all have noticed.

Regarding my time, I don’t have enough, just like everyone else. My typical day begins at about 5:30am. That might sound harsh, but here’s the beautiful thing about it: Once I pour myself a cup of coffee, I get to dive right into creative work. I think it’s because of that practice that I often wake up before my alarm sounds. Well, and because of Willie the wonder dog, of course, who likes his breakfast biscuits at about 5:15am. I am also usually asleep by 10pm.

I just try to use the time I do have wisely. I used to be a to-do list fanatic and would make a fresh one every single day, but now I use something that’s more like a weekly list. So I’m trying to lighten up some and allow some flexibility and fluidity. As my friend Adam Landry said once, “Moorer, it can’t be loose if it’s uptight.”

Wiser words have never been spoken.

I’m trying to learn to chill. So the concept of time to me these days, while still very important, of course, is something I’m trying to create more space around, if you will. I want my time to belong to me, my son, my husband, my family, my friends, and art, and not much else.

So, some of those balls I’ve been dropping — well, they’re gonna stay down there for a while.

Thank you for the great question. I hope my answer is sufficient. As usual, I took a few dog legs.

---

Y’all have a lovely weekend.

Allison

---