Old Dog, New Tricks

The kids are back to school and Spring Break is over. Our lives return to the routines we've established, such as they are. And I'm feeling overwhelmed. I'd planned on getting so much done last week and I only an tenth of it done. So now I need to face that which needs to be faced.

My temptation is to put my writing aside and focus on the myriad of tasks at hand. But damn, those tasks are still going to be there tomorrow. My enthusiasm for my writing wavers. Thus I do think it is important for me to make sure I do get some writing done.

That's a big step for me. I've always been one to "reward" myself with writing. Get my chores done, get to write. But I'm finally overcoming that hangup and giving my writing the position it deserves in my life.

I don't have the luxury of spending as many hours as I'd like to it, but I sometimes think that is a good thing. If I write until I'm worn out, I might lose some of my eagerness. By forcing myself to limit how much time I spend on my manuscript, I feel like I'm saving something for the next day.

Today I'm going to need to get back into the groove. I'm discombobulated on all fronts. My writing has been compromised and my house is in disarray. None of it is serious. But I have a tendency to go into panic mode, lament about all I have to do and then get nothing done.

So here I am, an old dog trying to learn new tricks. It is not easy. Mindsets are difficult to change. But I'm going to try.

Do you have certain habits, mindsets, attitudes which you've come to realize are outdated to your life or have become counterproductive?

Old Dog, New Tricks

I don't have many vices but I'm loaded with bad habits. Or rather, I lack good habits.

As the pace of my life picks up, the easier it is for things to get away from me. If I feel overwhelmed (which is easy due to my own brain chemistry) I feel desperate. I cease to view reality in its true perspective. My ongoing battle is my house. I cannot seem to keep it under control. Considering I don't enjoy cleaning house, I feel double the despair. But I'm trying to change that. Instead of seeing the house as one huge unconquerable mountain, I'm trying to change my thought process and break it down into more manageable mole hills. Part of that is creating good habits.

My first one is to straighten the kitchen in the morning after breakfast and lunches are made. It takes me an additional 10 minutes to do, but if I let it sit until dinner time, then it has grown into a half hour task.

My second it to act rather than procrastinate. Not on the big things. The little things. There is a pile of stuff I need to take to my husband's office. It has been sitting here growing for almost a year. I go to my husband's office at least three times a week but I have managed to forget this junk everyday. So as soon as I finish this post, I'm going to go put it in the car. Same goes for putting things away. I've been working at making my laundry room a laundry room rather than a black hole of chaos. Instead of just dropping off my various cleaning products, I'm putting them away. Wow, I have a counter to fold laundry.

Third habit I'm working on is sweeping my kitchen floor every night. I really hate this one, but I realized it only takes me about 4 or 5 minutes. But this small chore saves me a ton later in the week when it is time to mop.

Oh yeah, and I'm trying to go back to making weekly menus. I got a new cookbook, Everyday Food: Great Food Fast (Vintage), and I've been using it to death. I find having a menu lessens my stress plus helps me cut my time at the grocery store.

What about you? Any good habits you are trying to develop?