Ever Have One Of Those Days?
April 21, 2010 by Marci
Do you ever have those days when you just can’t get done what needs to be done? Those days when your to-do list is calling, the laundry is piling up, the mess in the kitchen is virtually screaming, you haven’t posted on your blog yet or gotten homeschool started? Those days when you would rather read a book or read what other people have to say on their blogs or work in the garden or just sip coffee in your comfy chair?
Well, I am having one of those days. I got up early to type out a post I had already written in my notebook (I’m a pen and paper girl) and all I wanted to do was scroll down my reader and see what I could find from other bloggers. So, my posting time came and went. I don’t even want to post what I had prepared. The kids are off playing somewhere, evidently avoiding me and school. Just one of those days.
How do you handle these unproductive days? The way I see it, I have two options. One, I could get all mad and beat myself up over being lazy and procrastinating. Or, two, I could just go with it. Write a post about it. Go do something that I want to do. Get this out of my system and then come back to the to-do list when my head is clear.
Which option do you usually choose?
Comments (11)
Okay, I’m really starting to wonder if you can read my mind and write all about it here! lol. Only difference it’s not one of those days, it’s one of those months!
I do what I can, God only gives you what you can handle… the rest well then it’s not about him if it’s not getting done! I love you Marci! I needed this today!
It takes me a bit to let go too. Usually I am complaining, and my little white fingers are trying to grab onto to productivity anywhere I can.
I hear you girl.
But then I take a breath, or my toddler bugs me one too many times, and I realize it isn’t meant to happen today. Perhaps tomorrow. Or the day after.
Today we are getting wood flooring installed on our first level, so we are surviving at my in-laws home. Not child proofed. No nutritious foods in site. Few toddler toys (mostly baby toys they’ve out grown.) And it is raining and cold outside. Not getting much done today…maybe tomorrow.
I try to honor my mood on the low days by remembering I always find my groove again. So, I am with you. Do something you want to do so your energy levels go up and then you just might be ready to tackle the other stuff. Great post.
Oh, I know how you are feeling! My husband asked me if I was ever planning to get the house put together.
I said, “someday”. So hard to try to find some balance. And the answer for me is not staying up so late at night because then I drag through my day. I am hoping to have a productive day today. (And I totally want you to steal the Earth Day ideas. . .trying to figure out now what we are going to do after the kids get home from school today.)
Are you a fly on my wall? You just shared the story of my life.
The only advice I have is…. just do the next thing. And then do the next thing after that, and then after that.
Your to-do-list may not get done as quickly, but really just getting it done is the important part- even if it takes a while.
You will get through it. Every day will NOT be like today! I promise.
I like your choice!
I am WAY to easily distracted – that’s my biggest hang up to productivity/time wasting and I know it – grrrrr.
I have, however, gotten much better at not booking too much for myself day-in and day-out, so at least now I CAN actually accomplish what I set out for myself in reasonable doses – I’d say that’s progress!
I constantly have one of those days – in fact, I seem to be living one of those lives at the moment, and I can’t get out of the funk… I tend to just say “go with it”, but that isn’t even working these days…
Sounds like you did what I would have done! (And I’ve done that many times before)
? Michelle
(ooops… that ? mark was supposed to be a heart)
I have learned to just go with it. If I’m not feeling like doing something (or everything, or anything) on my list for the day, I know if I force myself to do it anyway I’ll do such a poor job of it I’ll have to fix it up or do it over later, so why mess with it? I have a notebook (yep, actual pen and paper) with a giant list of everything that needs to be done, I would like to do, and just ideas of things that might work for us. On those days I pull out the notebook and scan the lists for anything that catches my fancy and do that, even if it’s just researching a project idea online. Sometimes accomplishing one thing gets me in the mood to tackle my regular list. If not, it’s one thing done anyway.
oh yeah, so many days like this! I’ve found a balance (I think) for myself: when it’s just one random day that’s one of those, I try to let go and go with it. Get the absolute minimum done (usually = dinner and a load of laundry) and then read books, watch a movie, get outside, take a walk, go for a drive, whatever. We all need downtime and I think sometimes when we don’t take it, our mental/physical body kind of forces us to.
But on the other hand – when i’m in the midst of a long series of days like that, I know something is off and I need to change things: whether it’s a shorter list, a better schedule, more realistic expectations, simplifying my menu… whatever. It can be something simple, usually is, that I need to change instead of keep fighting and draining my energy over.
Thanks for this & loved all the comments too.