I have a problem and it’s often called perfectionism. It isn’t really that, but I think that’s a close enough word for it, but Adulting is hard and this seems to be how I deal with it. You see, I often seem to have two modes: hyper-focused on being super perfect at something, or eh, close enough. It’s done. Neither of these modes is exactly conducive to being productive or doing good work, but more than that they’re both a good way to self destruct.
As an example: I’ll have a good idea, like create a weekly list of chores that need doing so I don’t forget any of them as I am somewhat prone to doing. But… it’s Tuesday. I missed Monday so I can’t start this list project until NEXT Monday because obviously, I can’t just start something like that in the middle, right? Then I’ll have this list-idea in my mind for a day or two as I think about what all I’m going to need for it (the right paper or journal, some pens, maybe a few awesome stickers! Because stickers are always awesome no matter how old you get! Oh, and a ruler because I can’t draw lines to save my life…) and then it gets to the weekend when I can go out to acquire these things, and… I’ve either forgotten it entirely or getting up and going out is too much work.
And then, because I don’t have the supplies I’d thought about, I can’t just grab a piece of paper that I already have and a pen from my cup, because those aren’t perfect materials.
You see my problem? Anxiety Gome stealth attack.
It bleeds into my work, too. I have missed a bunch of blog posts this summer and I’m beating myself up over it. But then I write something and I think ‘I’ll post it next week!’ And then I get to posting time and my laptop sits there while I stare at it morosely thinking ‘but I can’t find the right pictures to put with it, and looking will just take me away from family time and I’ve missed so many posts already…. And yeah.
Often I can manage to get my work done anyway, but for some reason, this summer’s been extra tough. But it’s sliding into autumn and I don’t know. The slight change in the weather and the strange allure of the new school year (in the U.S. anyway) which still holds so much power over my brain even after so many years of theoretical adulthood is all adding up to a strengthening resolve. I make no promises, but I’m starting a new bullet journal style thing and we’ll see how it goes. How do you all keep track of your Adulting?