Yes, 100% this! Hyperfocus is a beautiful benefit of my ADHD but it is hard to channel it where I want it to be directed, since the contrasting PDA autism of mine puts up anxiety blockers in response to what I *want* to be doing. Perimenopause means I don’t have the capacity to try and hack any of this, or have energy to figure out workarounds.
I too am painting my little writing book before I start writing “properly”, but my budget means I’m working from tester pots. Luckily it’s just the inside of a wardrobe!
Your reference to birthing the future book in that room made me think that your painting and preparation is like late pregnancy nesting behaviour. You’re effectively feathering your nest before you incubate the developing book, so instinctively you need that space to feel optimal and ready 😊 🪺
Oh yes, this is very relatable (and comforting as a result!). I used to be hard on myself up for any periods of procrastination (although now I almost feel like we need a new word!) but now I recognise it as the "satellite phase" of the creative process. Where all the ideas and thoughts and musings are buzzing around me like constellations and at some point, their movements form an order that can be deciphered by my brain... at which point I start to write.
Thank you so much for this- and the blue, of course, is most excellent xx
Oh the sigh of relief I let out on reading this piece, Anna! As I find myself in-between ideas, I, too, have been busying myself with home decoration planning/dreaming (not doing yet though), and not writing much at all, and all the self-doubt has crept back in. Your post might have been the permission slip I needed to go paint the bathroom! Thank you.
I appreciate the delineation between active procrastination and passive procrastination, which makes a lot of sense to me. And your procrastination if quite active! Mine tends to be far more related to mindless scrolling, sigh. Way too passive. My kitchen needs a good cleaning, though, so....
Very impressed that you paint your house like that, and I’m crap at procrastination. I actually have to force myself to do housework or maintenance- so I envy you those days of meandering.
Yes, 100% this! Hyperfocus is a beautiful benefit of my ADHD but it is hard to channel it where I want it to be directed, since the contrasting PDA autism of mine puts up anxiety blockers in response to what I *want* to be doing. Perimenopause means I don’t have the capacity to try and hack any of this, or have energy to figure out workarounds.
I too am painting my little writing book before I start writing “properly”, but my budget means I’m working from tester pots. Luckily it’s just the inside of a wardrobe!
Your reference to birthing the future book in that room made me think that your painting and preparation is like late pregnancy nesting behaviour. You’re effectively feathering your nest before you incubate the developing book, so instinctively you need that space to feel optimal and ready 😊 🪺
Oh yes, this is very relatable (and comforting as a result!). I used to be hard on myself up for any periods of procrastination (although now I almost feel like we need a new word!) but now I recognise it as the "satellite phase" of the creative process. Where all the ideas and thoughts and musings are buzzing around me like constellations and at some point, their movements form an order that can be deciphered by my brain... at which point I start to write.
Thank you so much for this- and the blue, of course, is most excellent xx
Thanks Jane, I’m pleased it resonated for you x
Oh the sigh of relief I let out on reading this piece, Anna! As I find myself in-between ideas, I, too, have been busying myself with home decoration planning/dreaming (not doing yet though), and not writing much at all, and all the self-doubt has crept back in. Your post might have been the permission slip I needed to go paint the bathroom! Thank you.
Yes Annette! Paint the bathroom and then post before and after pictures!!! 😛😛😛
😂😂😂
This resonated so much. My best procrastination activity is laundry and spring cleaning everything!
Feel free to come over any time you’re procrastinating, Fay! 😆
I appreciate the delineation between active procrastination and passive procrastination, which makes a lot of sense to me. And your procrastination if quite active! Mine tends to be far more related to mindless scrolling, sigh. Way too passive. My kitchen needs a good cleaning, though, so....
Believe me I am very good at the passive kind too!
Very impressed that you paint your house like that, and I’m crap at procrastination. I actually have to force myself to do housework or maintenance- so I envy you those days of meandering.
Oh for the most part I am not doing housework, believe me!
Haha, I am sure that is a truth
I don’t get my work done OR the house sorted out so I am envious of your productive procrastination 😁😁
Thanks Alysha! I was up painting the ceiling in it (gloss) at 5am, so I hope it is the right choice!