procrastination | BulgingButtons

March 24, 2019
by BulgingButtons 2 Comments

And Procrastination Wins, Again

I was going to clean up the room that I call my studio. I really had good intentions. I also had the time, since I was on Spring Break. However… it didn’t happen. Until tonight. When it sort of happened. Partially happened. Well, something happened.

I feel like I did a lot. I sorted through stacks and stacks of papers. You know the stuff I’m talking about, I’m sure. There are statements from my health insurance company, assuring me that they are not bills, there are high school report cards of my son’s from five years ago, there are mortgage statements from four lenders ago, there’s a stack of pay-stubs from my employer, sadly not showing much change over the years. There are SO MANY PAPERS!

I decided that I no longer need credit card statements from five years ago. I no longer need a home warranty for a home I sold a while back. I no longer need billing statements from my son’s orthodontist (who I think has retired). I no longer need discharge instructions from a hospital visit three years ago. It’s time to be free of all those papers. It’s time to warm up the shredder.

Shredding papers is such a permanent act, but one that gives me great satisfaction. Once the paper hits the blades, there’s no turning back. Whatever you’ve fed into that machine is now confetti, never to be read again.

I like the idea of all those words, all those statements and bills and records and reports all mixing together and jumbling up inside the belly of the shredder. I imagine it to be some sort of demented corporate party in there, all the letters released from their original duties. They are free, no longer confined to sharing dosing instructions or charges to the grocery store, gas station, and Target. No longer shouting out my name and address for just anyone to read. Once they get into that shredder, they no longer know their original mission. It’s just gone. Like the pile of papers I fed into the machine a few minutes ago.

It was quite an effort, but I’m glad at least part of the task has been completed. As for the rest of the room? Maybe during summer break. We’ll see.

March 12, 2019
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Time to Take Back Spring Break

I’m on spring break. School is closed for the week, and I’m free to do whatever I please. These weeks always go so quickly. Here we are, Tuesday already, and I feel as though I haven’t accomplished much. That’s not entirely my fault, though. Between fighting off some bug and having a medical procedure yesterday, I feel like I’ve been a little out of commission.

The procedure went well, I’m feeling better, and now it’s my time. Time to use as I see fit. My gut reaction? Time to read books and take naps. My realistic reaction? Time to clean up and get some schoolwork done. So, here I sit, at the computer, about to do my schoolwork. I’m taking a course to finish my gifted teaching endorsement, and I have homework. It’s a fascinating topic, and I’m enjoying learning more about these types of individuals. Still, I’ve put off my work, because I’m a terrible procrastinator. Why else would I be blogging instead of doing homework?

I’m also unhappy with the state of the room around me. I’m in my studio, and it’s a mess. There’s way too much stuff in here, and it’s housed in a variety of shelves, bins, bags, and boxes. At some point it all became too much, and I don’t even like to come in here. I need to get this sorted out.

It’s like the old joke. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Of course I would never actually eat an elephant, but you get the idea.

So, here’s my goal: each day for the rest of the week I will work on my homework, and I will work on this room. I won’t let either one overpower me. I will take breaks when needed, but I won’t quit. This is my pledge. I think I can do it. Wish me luck.

January 15, 2018
by BulgingButtons 2 Comments

Two Down, One to Go

So that whole procrastination thing? Turns out it can be kind of a drag.

The good news it, two of my huge assignments are done and turned in. One of them has already be favorably assessed. So that’s good, right? However…

One. More. Assignment.

Well, one more before the next class, and then I think there’s another one after that, you know, just for fun.

Okay, I can totally do this. In fact I’m all but ready to write it up. I’ve put in the time, done the research, and now I just need to wrap it up. Yep. That’s it. Not asking too much, is it?

But you know what? I’m fried. Extra crispy, in fact. Hmmm… that makes me wonder if I’m hungry? I’ve been at my computer for hours! And not surfing either, really, truly working.

It’s time for a break. Maybe some dinner. Then maybe, just maybe I’ll finish off that last assignment tonight. But really, probably not.