I don’t have much of an intro today because as you’ll read below, I don’t have much to write about either. Is it the change in seasons? Is it the impending holidays? Is it cabin fever now that the weather has gotten cooler? I’m in a bit of a funk and wondering if I’m alone.
***
I almost always have something in my mind when I sit down to write for 5 minutes. I’ve never eben one of those people to sit and say, Oh I have to make dinner tonight and Boy, I need to go clean the bathrooms.
I don’t just babble like that (not that there’s anything wrong with it). But tonight (it’s Saturday) as I sit down to dump my brain for 5 minutes, I find that my brain is, well, empty.
Like, empty as in I don’t have a clue what to write about. I find this particularly bad because it’s something that’s been plaguing me off and on all week. And this is the first week of National Novel Writing Month (#NaNoWriMo).
I was off to a smashing start. 2100 words in 2 days. This novel was going to write itself. I found it fun to make up a story. And then all of the sudden, I stopped.
I’m overwhelmed with a great big pile of products sitting in my office that all require a review (why do I keep saying yes? answer: because I don’t like to say no). I’m overwhelmed by my house that’s not for sale that should be for sale because I’m tired of my husband commuting every week to Baltimore. I’m overwhelmed by my 4 year old who I love to death but it annoying the crap out of me. I’m overwhelmed by a simple little stupid 2 week exercise challenge that is so godawful difficult for me because apparently I have let my body go way further that I thought I had.
And then I don’t want to write about any of that stuff because who wants to hear any of that depressing stuff? I make goals for myself and I fail. I start a project int he house and never finish. I’m the queen of procrastination and when I feel overwhelmed, I sit on the couch and play mindless games on my iPhone because I’m avoiding my life.
Needless to say, I have some pretty high scores on my games.
I am the queen of procrastination. Especially when I feel overwhelmed. That commute seems a bit much! Why did you take your house off the market? Oh and I slay at angry birds!
Our listing expired. So we’re just regrouping and either relisted or doing For Sale By Owner.
You’ll snap out of it again. Do you get this way in the winter? Usually, by Feb, I’m as miserable as one can get. Just be patient, and don’t beat yourself up. Something will click.
I’m actually feeling good this week. The weather has been beautiful and I’ve been spending tons of time outside!
Oh, I didn’t realize he was commuting. Ouch! Try again. You never know, and unfortunately, drop the price. There will a buyer when the price is right.
It will be back on the market soon and the right buyer WILL come along!
Happens to the best of us!
I guess you must be feeling very overwhelmed.. I too get that way at times.. you need a time out to relax..then just start picking up the pieces 1 at a time and before you know if the place is cleaned .
I had a great week. The house is still a mess but I’m feeling happier!
Even though I am not in this place at the moment, I find myself there over and over. I am the WORST about totally shutting down when I get overwhelmed. I wonder what we did before we have all these awesome games? 🙂
I think I used to play computer games instead. Tetris anyone?
I completely understand your plight. I started out pretty well with NaNoWriMo too, and then after the first day, didn’t write a single word. Now I play the catch up game with the small burst of motivation that infected me yesterday. It’s certainly overwhelming, but you’ll find a way to get it all done, I’m sure. Good luck!
I’ve decided it’s not the right time for me to write a book yet. So I’m cool with it. Much better week this week!
I do this all the time & have barely been writing at all lately. I don’t know what it is either other than feeling the constraints of trying not to write about anyone else.
Hopefully, we’ll both pull out of it!
Taking a break (mentally and physically) is ALWAYS good for writing!
Ok. First… I know the feeling of all of this. For the writing, try “writeordie.com” (go to the free web app on the left side) – and then start writing. If you don’t the screen turns red and annoying music starts playing. And some of that annoying music has even made it into my NaNo novel because I had nothing else to write about either. 🙂
Second… those 2 week challenges ARE NOT EASY. They are designed to totally and completely challenge you – and I’m in the same boat (which is why I’ve learned that I can’t do the 2 week challenge this time – I had to say no to something.)
Third… rock those games. 🙂 You definitely deserve some down time my friend.
I stopped writing. I didn’t finish the 2 week challenge and I’m still awesome at those games. And surprisingly? I feel okay about it all!
Ok. First… I know the feeling of all of this. For the writing, try “writeordie.com” (go to the free web app on the left side) – and then start writing. If you don’t the screen turns red and annoying music starts playing. And some of that annoying music has even made it into my NaNo novel because I had nothing else to write about either. 🙂
Second… those 2 week challenges ARE NOT EASY. They are designed to totally and completely challenge you – and I’m in the same boat (which is why I’ve learned that I can’t do the 2 week challenge this time – I had to say no to something.)
Third… rock those games. 🙂 You definitely deserve some down time my friend.
I used to be so on top of things, but motherhood changed things. Now, I get to things when I can, usually later than preferred. I sometimes beat myself up about this truth, but I’m learning to just accept this truth about myself and work to get better each day.
I’m about to sit and do my 5 minutes and dont really have much on my mind either. I am a procrastination queen just like you. I have tons of things to do, I say yes to everything and realize I only have 24 hours in a day and most of the time I am trying to stay sane with my 13 month old.
Welcome to motherhood. It’s full of the best of intentions.
I get the same way when I am overwhelmed. I look at all I have to do, and instead…just do nothing. I tend to get down on myself pretty quickly, so it is hard to snap out of it at times. Hang in there, you’ll get through it. 🙂
I did get through it and it’s nice to know I’m not the only one that checks out once in a while.
Well that didn’t sound like a whole lot of nuttin’. Actually sounds like a whole lot of stuff and you just can’t pinpoint any one to focus on. I totally get it; get like that all the time. When I feel overwhelmed like that I pick something to focus on and get it taken care of. OR, I will do a little of everything each day. I’m also procrastinator.
Well that didn’t sound like a whole lot of nuttin’. Actually sounds like a whole lot of stuff and you just can’t pinpoint any one to focus on. I totally get it; get like that all the time. When I feel overwhelmed like that I pick something to focus on and get it taken care of. OR, I will do a little of everything each day. I’m also procrastinator.
Well, the way you just put it described my entire life! I’m always lacking focus but I’m trying to get better. And I think I am!
Nope, not alone! I haven’t written another word for Nano since the first day. I’ve been cranky and exhausted. All I’ve wanted to do when I finally get a break? Is crawl under the covers with my kindle. I had Tim home for a week and I still feel like I never got a break. I don’t know if it’s the weather or what but I need a serious kick in the pants.
Or sometimes you need some time of doing nothing so you can get sick of doing nothing and want to get on to doing something. RIght?
Apparently there’s an abundance of overwhelming things in your life – you are entitled to not want to write about any of it. I’m sure all of us are feeling some of the things on your list. For me it’s the exercise – I know what I need to do but I procrastinate & haven’t been able to get into a rhythm. Have a glass of wine & pick one this at a time to start focusing on. This too will pass.
My mantra: have a glass of wine. It usually looks better in the morning (it did).
I love mindless games 😀 Some days, they get me through. Thanks for letting me join in!
Thanks for joining in! If you ever need recommendations for mindless games, I’m your girl!
Oh Fadra!
I hear ya, I hear ya!
I’m blaming the weather, its causing everyone to be wonky. Just ride through it, review when you can (unless its an iPad, send it to me for, ahem, review) and hug that baby.
-r
Hee hee. I like how you simplify things and make it all make sense. But if an iPad comes to me, ain’t no way I’m sending it to you 😉
I feel you…. especially the working out one 😛 Keep on keepin on, I guess!
I stopped the working out challenge but it inspired me to keep active. And I’m enjoying it!
you are far from alone, my dear. it’s such a battle. & my bejeweled score? it blows the mind. i say just let it be, the funk will blow over. xoxo
I’m over Bejeweled. I retired with a pretty awesome score though 😉
Hi Fadra! I share the queen of procrastination title with you 🙂 And boy am I great at it. I think we all do. Keep writing the novel – keep going at it and after some bumps you’ll see it will all come together. 😀
The novel is on hold but I like that I at least STARTED it. And it’s there if I want to come back to it.
Fadra, your SOC rambling just summed up my life. I’m such a terrible procrastinator. My house is always a wreck. And I sit around and play on Facebook in the evenings. *Sigh*
And that’s why we blog. Birds of a feather 🙂
Not to worry – this happens to the best of us! More-so if you are a full time mom and trying to juggle and manage all the things as well. Things do happen for the better- though they take time.
Wishing you all the best 🙂
It was a bad week and this one was a lot better. That’s all I can ask for!
Let me just tell you that I am sitting on that very same sofa across the ocean, in France, in the middle of nowhere, in my Shiteau, doing the same thing. The procrastination topics may be different, Le Mr commutes to Budapest & Paris, but damn it’s nice to read that someone else is in the same seat! On a side note, I grew up (well from the age of 9) just outside of Baltimore & then moved down to NC for university…you’ll get there, even back in the day took us a while to sell our Raleigh house, and we had to do it from overseas, but it will work out….and you’ll come in off the ledge 🙂
And um….oops, I may be contributing to that obsessive game playing. Bad me. But I did say I was on the same sofa! :p
Maybe we’d do a better job of selling if my motivation was a chateau in France. And don’t worry, my WWF games are kept under control. It’s my other games that I can’t put down!
Just found your post and commented!