Friday, September 11, 2009

Sensing a Common Thread

I've been sensing a common thread among out posts this week and from what I've seen on other blogs and loops there are quite a few of us suffering from scattered thoughts. Even the smallest task seems like an impossible hurdle when there is too much going on. It's easier to play on the internet, as Kelley said on Wednesday. It's true. It's HARD to write with so much other stuff going on, Anne said yesterday.

When your thoughts are scrambled, it's so tempting to do something mindless so you can relax just a little. Still we know that work in progress is waiting, kids need to be carted from point A to point B, dinner needs to be fixed...but wait, no food. Gotta hit the grocery store and yes, the laundry is piling up.

Lately, I've suffered from this too and it's been driving me crazy. Ah, but there is HOPE. That proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. At least for me. Yesterday I tried a little organization. I posted my blogs and answered emails then immediately forced myself to open my manuscript. I told myself I would not GET UP FROM MY CHAIR for at least and hour. Guess what happened? I wrote for TWO HOURS. I checked emails briefly and then forced myself to do some housecleaning. I limited myself to two rooms...floors only. Guess what? Got em done and did an extra room to boot. YAY for me. Last night, for the first time in awhile, I didn't feel guilty. I got a little bit of everything done and I felt soooo good about it, I was relaxed. I watched a movie I'd been wanting to see. BTW...you must see The Secret Life of Bees, based on the book by Sue Monk Kidd. Very good.

So yes, there is hope for those of us suffering from scattered thoughts. Please let me add that we should all give ourselves a wee break here. The kids are back in school but you well know that isn't the end of things. There are meet the teacher things, school supplies that have been added at the last minute, dance, sports, gymnastics and all the other 'extra' activities that are just now being scheduled. Give yourself a BREAK. Give yourself time to BREATHE. Organize your day in a practical way that gives you a chance to do a little bit of everything you need to do. It worked for me anyway!

Whooo. I feel soooo much better!

9 comments:

Unknown said...

Glad to see you're finding the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm almost there too! :)

Regina Carlysle said...

We just all need to remember to breathe. Changing schedules is just the pits for everyone.

Kelley Nyrae said...

The hard part for me is my kids' ages. They're too young to let me sit for an hour without getting up. LOL. Oh well. I'll get there. SO glad you got so much done yesterday! Congrats.

Anny Cook said...

I think the guilt factor is the worst aspect of not getting something done. It compounds the problem and adds more stress. So I try to work at least 15 minutes on whatever it is I'm feeling guilty about.

Regina Carlysle said...

Good policy, Anny, and that's exactly what gets to me the most. And then the guilt is so consumming I'm just paralyzed with it. Even 15 min. is better than nothing and could go a long way.

Bekki Lynn said...

Terrific, Regina. I'm thrilled you found something that worked for you.

[breathing]

Fran Lee said...

I am standing right under the light at the end of the damn tunnel, and it's just a miner's work light and I just realized there's another one waaaay down there...LOL!

Mia Watts said...

Scattered here. Very very scattered.

Anne Rainey said...

Glad you've figured out something that helps. I'm usually good as long as I have a schedule. Lately though, everything has been so damn screwed up. Ugh!