Spring-a-ding-ding I Can't Organize a Thing
Spring cleaning--it happens to me every year. It's a phenomena that I can't actually explain, but as the weather warms and the smell of the air changes, I get the uncontrollable urge to clean and purge. I have the irresistible calling to simplify and organize. Considering that I'm a bit of a procrastinating, unorganized hoarder in training--this is a good thing.
Every year I look forward to digging myself out of my inevitable cave of clutter--with the hopes of turning over a new leaf. It's not ideal, but it keeps me from going too far in the wrong direction. This year I have a problem--I'm trying to finish the first draft of my second book at the same time. I feel a bit like this...
Should I clean? Should I write? Should I clean? Should I write?
Making it worse, I've had an ongoing construction "issue" in my basement since last summer. Everything is FINALLY done and I can move all the stuff, that I've stock piled in other places, back to where it belongs. I NEED to fix this mess!!!!
BUT...my imaginary world of stories is calling to me too. Okay, the truth is that the book and it's characters are yelling at me like I'm being chased by a zombie!!!! Their faces are red with exertion and they are flailing about in a desperate attempt to get me to safety. "Run for your life!"
I know that if I could just... Nah. The truth is that if I get the book done...nothing will actually get better. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
Instead of being torn about drafting and cleaning--I'll be torn about revising and cleaning or catching up on my other projects that I've pushed to the way side. Yup--I'm never going to get to a place where I have all my ducks in a row. I just have to strive for balance. Easy, right?
So, my spring resolution is to stop looking at what I haven't gotten done and focus on the positive--the bright side. Here I go... Now that I'm ahead of the game and finished with this blog I can spend a little extra time getting ready for Easter. I can't believe how quickly it's coming...wait...what? Today's Easter?? *head thunk*
Thanks for making me laugh! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Ha! Happy to be of service. :o)
DeleteI know how you feel, I decided to make a list of all the things I had to do and it just made things worse as now i have this massive list filled with more jobs than I ever realized I had and I don't know what to do first, causing me to jump between them and so nothing ends up getting done. Arrggghhh!
ReplyDeleteHope you get your cleaning done, maybe you can do half hour of tidying then half hour of writing etc. Maybe it will work for you.
Happy Easter
Boys just ran out of underwear last night *head thunk* I try to avoid all lists except the ones that are already crossed off LOL!
DeleteGreat post, Kim! I'm always fighting that 'Should I write?' 'Should I clean' 'Should I cook dinner' 'Should I go to -insert fun activity with the family here?' Today, due to a pending deadline that I cannot miss, I am staying home to write while my family goes into NYC to meet up with other family to see a Broadway show. That sucks. But while I'm home I will no cook or clean!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's always a balancing act--good luck nailing that deadline!!!! Broadway will still be there when you're done. A celebration!
DeleteMy answer to "Should I clean?" is rarely yes. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI like your thinking LOL!
DeleteI have to say, that photo of the clutter made me feel all peaceful inside. "It's not just YOU," that photo said. :) I am struggling this quite a bit right now. A little each day, is my motto right now. One thing at a time. :) However, I guess I'm all or nothing, because I either want to revise the entire book, all day long, or I want to empty out all the closets, and clean the entire house. The end result is that nothing is getting fully done. But that might be okay. One thing at a time. :) Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteYes!!!!! You are me!!!!!!
DeleteWhen I'm done with drafting, and begin revising (story clean-up), I actually want to clean EVERYTHING: the office, the kitchen, the attic...
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping soon!!!!! I need it. At risk for being killed by a dust bunny in my sleep. :o)
DeleteThings always get messy again. Enjoy the writing!
ReplyDeleteHa! You know it!
DeleteI wonder if being a writer automatically means you focus on the things you haven't accomplished? As Heather said, one thing at a time...
ReplyDeleteOkay...I'm going to get zen now!!!! ((((hugs))))
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