I Will Complete My Projects.... Eventually....

I love that there is a challenge up about procrastination. It gives me something to write about while my Hugh vs Leftover/Pirate & Crew storylines are dormant. I've even been guilty of procrastinating on writing Bible journals recently. But as for today's topic of procrastination, here are some of the traps I fall into....

- I'll write on my lunch break.

Sometimes I actually do, but normally I am mentally fried and just want to do nothing when lunch comes around. I also don't like having to stop writing once I hit a groove in order to return to work, so often I will abandon plans to write once my break rolls around.

- I'll write tonight when everyone goes to bed, and I have a quiet house to work in.

When I'm awake enough, this actually is a great time to write. But most of the time, I am equally exhausted as the rest of my family, and I wind up going to bed without writing a word.

- I'll get up earlier and write in the morning.

Sometimes I can crank out something short like a Bible journal, but this tends to not be an optimal time for stories on regular work days. This falls into the "I don't want to have to stop once I've hit a groove" trap, and I am also a big fan of the snooze alarm. I have been better about getting up earlier to do some reading and praying, but early morning writing is still hit or miss.

So how do I break this cycle?

I try not to be too hard on myself. Writing is a hobby for me, so it isn't something I have to do. But when I read the words of others, get inspired by their lives and the lives of the characters they create, and also enjoy stories through other forms of media like gaming and anime, I remember that I love writing because I want to do the same things that these writers do, and I acknowledge that I will ultimately get back into it. I try to write at least a little something each day to keep the writer mind going - gratitude journals through my church tend to be that daily routine for me. I've found that when it comes to feeling like writing, I have to just start, even if it doesn't feel natural to do so. Just about every time that I do this, I begin to find the inspiration and motivation I need, and the love I have for this craft emanates. In compete irony, I had to force myself to write this piece about procrastination, and now that I've done so, I'm glad I did. I wish all of you the best, and I thank you for the words you write - words can't express how much your work means to me. Cheers!