Three Ways I Cope With Querying

The truth is, I don't cope with querying very well. This whole week has been a concoction of stress-induced anger and fear, and while I've certainly had a few good cries, I've utilized a few other strategies that I might as well share.

1. Bake.

I started baking during the COVID-19 lockdown, and ever since then, it's been a foolproof stress reliever. I read online that people bake when they need to feel as though they're in control, which is absolutely true for me. In every other facet of life, I often convince myself that no matter what I do, I'm destined to fail, but when I'm baking, I know that as long as I follow the instructions, I'll succeed--and I always do! In fact, after writing this I'm planning on baking my first-ever chocolate mousse cake (hopefully, I will also manage ganache).

2. Watch The Great British Baking Show.

This list wasn't supposed to be baking-themed, but this show always makes me smile, so here we are. I only started watching it this year, and I've already binged three seasons (I'm catching up on 2022's season now). Don't get me wrong, I'll watch just about any Food Network show, but the combination of Bake Off's pastel tent, supportive atmosphere, and familiar faces is more comforting that anything else. That said, I'll pass on applying for the show myself.

3. Complain to Someone.

I'm really not a big supporter of wallowing; I think it's a waste of time, but sometimes...I just need to vent. I have a few friends who have explicitly told me I'm allowed to vent/complain about whatever I need to with them, which has been incomparably helpful this week. I hate--and I mean I HATE--bringing my problems to anyone else, but just being able to talk about the Ninth Circle of Hell that is the querying process has been cathartic. I don't know what I'd do without this outlet. Probably bake a lot more cake.

Anyway, those are my top three coping strategies, but like I said, most of the time I still feel like screaming, so if you have any other tips or tricks, please comment below. I know a lot of you will probably tell me to read, but I haven't included reading on this list because ever since I started querying, reading has been infuriatingly stressful. I'm working on that, though, so wish me luck--the good kind, as always--and I will wish the same for you.


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