Keeping the writing muscles going.

It hasn't just been the blog I've been neglecting for the past few years. I've haven't been doing much writing at all. Part of it was down to bouts of depression when not only could I not be bothered, but sometimes I physically couldn't because of sheer exhaustion. So, not so much writer's block as writer's complete stop. I not only couldn't think of anything to write about, I couldn't even turn up at the page and stare blankly at it.
My health over the past few years has also left alot to be desired. I've been through a series of doctors and consultants and a full array of medical tests to address symptoms, but nothing showed up.And all this left me without the inclination, inspiration or sheer energy to write...

But earlier this summer I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and all the bits fell into place. No cure, living with fibromyalgia is all about management, but at least I could stop visiting doctors and worrying about whatever it was they weren't picking up. Because something was sure making me sick.
Now what you may ask has fibromyalgia got to do with writing.
Well, writing is what I do. I like writing. It challenges me, and improves my mood. No matter what I am writing about. But in the past I was always writing with a goal in sight. Finish the next chapter. Get to the end of a novel. Write a book review. Write a publicity piece. Now I'm a bit aimless. I've been out of writing for so long that I've lost the "writers' fitness" I had before. Words no longer flow as readily as they used to. I have no ideas. This is all partly down to the fibro screwing with my head- a phenomenon known as fibro fog - and partly due to the fatigue that comes with fibromyalgia.

But if I don't write what do I do? I can't work on my feet anymore- I wouldn't last a week. Even part time. And the unpredictability of fibro makes it impossible to commit properly to any job. One night out and the next day I can be an exhausted mess. One night staying in, but maybe going for a "good for me" walk -and the next day I can be exhausted or fine. One day I can manage a particular set of stairs up and down all day, no problem. The next I suddenly need to stop half way up to take a rest.

So writing is the only option if I want to reactivate my mind and have some hope of writing for a living in the future. So how do I do it without writing to a goal? Write for the Internet. It is a very forgiving boss. I just show up and write whatever I feel like, without deadline, required article length or commission. No need to have one particular 'voice'. My mood may dictate what I write but at least if my mood is bad then writing will improve it.

There are many sites where you can submit articles and having a couple of blogs is a good idea so there's always something and somewhere for me to write. And the more I write the more I feel like writing.
Some sites such as Infobarrel or Hubpages allow you to post articles on any topic and then get a share of ad revenue, but I'm not looking for big bucks more for a place to publish and to write. It needs to be public, because otherwise my writing becomes too introspective and naval gazing.