In my world, the difference lies in the host of other activities and jobs calling to me. Not only must I maintain my house and feed my family, but I have a small garden and a huge yard to manage. And a family reunion at our place. And visits from neighbors and friends. And one must take time for hot dogs and BBQs and ice cream cones. 
Yesterday, for example (August 24), I planned to continue working the latest edits into my manuscript. But first, I wanted to pull the invasive weeds overwhelming my garden plot. It shouldn’t take more than an hour or so, I thought. Three hours later, I returned to the house, amazed at how much time had passed but glad to have the job done. I had so enjoyed the morning outside that I decided to cut the grass after lunch. It’s a 2.5-hour job, but since rain was predicted, I thought it prudent. The grass looks lovely today in the rain. 
Today I’m back at the computer, but writing-life housekeeping chores take much of my morning. And this afternoon I need to attend my writing group meeting, since we are discussing my latest manuscript.
Sigh.
And that’s how summer goes. But there’s also Christmas, preparing for the family to come home en masse. And Easter, when they do the same…we are so blessed. There are many interruptions in life, but maybe I’m looking at it from a completely skewed perspective. Maybe life IS the interruptions. Maybe my writing is the commentary I fit in as often as I can. I call it my vocation, my career, my job. But it will always be a balancing act with what happens off the page.
Jan, I think much of what we do outside our writing is important. It gives us things to write about. Grass needs to be cut and weeds pulled if we are to have a garden, and family gatherings are good.
You are so correct, Carolyn. And, as a Christian writer, I need to be open to what the Spirit of God brings into my days. On the other side of it, I also need to honour God by disciplining my writing life in order to accomplish what He has asked me to do.
For sure, we do need to set goals and do our best to move forward.
I have to keep reminding myself that what works for one person doesn’t always work for all. So we keep trying to find the right way for us, with God’s help.
I very much enjoyed this post. It’s easy for me to get wrapped up in what I didn’t have time to write, or edit, and it’s nice to remember that life and it’s experiences should not be what we fit into our spare time. It seems like your priorities are in perfect order!
Well, on paper they are, but in reality, they sometimes get skewed. It’s a continual journey of re-setting those priorities according to what God brings into my life.
Blessings to you.