Survival Tip #3: Overcoming the Not-Writing Guilt

I don't know about all y'all but I didn't touch any of my manuscripts over the holiday.  Well, at least nothing got done Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  I'm such a slacker.  I should've been writing instead of watching The Muppet Christmas Carol.  I could've been writing during that Santa Clause marathon.   Maybe a few pages would've been edited if I spent less time enjoying the holiday and more time utilizing... well, my time.

What it all boils down to is this: I feel guilty when I don't write.

I know I shouldn't.  Writers should get the chance to have a life, too.  But as an unpublished writer, I should be working extra hard to get my books finished and out there in the world.  I'll never get published if I don't put in the time.  Right?

I feel guilty when I let the holidays distract me.  I feel guilty when some unforeseen emergency pulls me away from my work.  I feel guilty when my health effects my writing.

Okay, so maybe this isn't the Survival Tip is ought to be.  Lord knows I haven't been able to overcome the guilt yet.  My notepad and pen sat next to me for two days, staring at me with accusing eyes.  I should've done something. 

Maybe the only way to overcome the guilt is to just accept that there are going to be times when you don't write, can't write, or won't write.  Holidays are to be enjoyed.  Emergencies are to be dealt with.  And writing when you're sick doesn't do anyone any good.  We should all give ourselves the time we need without the guilt overwhelming us afterwards (or during as is sometimes the case).

So now I leave it up to you.  What do you do to combat the not-writing guilt?  Or are you one the rare birds who can walk away from the work and not feel guilty about it?  If so, how do you do it?