A while back I invited Twitterville to tell me their Someday stories and write me a guest post. Jacki Hollywood Brown jumped at the opportunity then suddenly found herself infected with a case of Someday Syndrome about writing for the blog. I can’t count the number of times I’ve procrastinated in the same way. You?
Two months ago, I promised myself that I would write a guest post for Alex here on Someday Syndrome but I’ve been totally been procrastinating.
Why? I could give a million excuses. My military husband is deployed for the next 6 months. Between me and the kids, one of us has had a terrible cold since hubby left. There has been at least one “Professional Development day” at school every week for at least one kid. My volunteer work has been overwhelming. I’m trying to build another aspect to my business on organizing, managing and increasing productivity using technology. We’re moving in June, before my husband returns from his deployment, so I’ve got to get the house organized and prepped to move pretty much by myself.
Okay, not quite a million excuses but it sure feels like it. SOMEDAY, I’ll take the time to write about my own Someday Syndrome but first I have to figure out what my own “someday” is. When I was in high school I said that someday I would get a good education, meet a great guy and have two great kids. Well, I did that. Actually I over did it because we’re living a great adventurous life (lived in 6 different cities in 4 different provinces over the past 18 years).
What I didn’t plan for is what “someday” would I choose after the kids were (somewhat) independent. The obvious choice is to build my business. The thing is, it is hard to build a client base and local resources when you move to a new city every two years. So choosing to build my business might mean giving up my husband which I’m NOT prepared to do (absolutely not, not ever)!!! So, I’ve just got to figure out how to build my business in a non-traditional way.
When I talk about building an organizing business while moving constantly, most people they suggest that I write about organizing. I really dislike writing. I tried to get myself into a “writing mindset” by starting a blog myself but I really don’t like writing. I’ve even dismantled and cleaned the toilet seats just to avoid writing. I’ve even procrastinated writing this blog post for two months!
At first I thought it was just because I hated writing but could it be that I’m procrastinating because I just don’t know what my SOMEDAY should be? What would could I do? What could I really work towards that would be very satisfying without sacrificing the great things I love about my life? Well, SOMEDAY, I’ll figure that out then I can write a really great blog post about how I overcame my Someday Syndrome. But right now, I think my toilet seats need to be taken apart and cleaned again.
19 Responses to “Why cleaning is more interesting than writing”
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Jacki, you may be on the right track: “I’m trying to build another aspect to my business on organizing, managing and increasing productivity using technology.” I know a Canadian living abroad (not Alex) who helps businesses all over the world in this way, working via the Internet. I’ll be happy to tell you and/or connect you to her if you’d like to know more.
Janet Barclay´s last blog post..Develop Organizing Strategies for Your Personality Type
Jacki -
This is hysterical! I do the same exact thing. When I’m looking to procrastinate with work, I either clean the house or do the laundry. Heck, they both always need doing. Ah, the dangers of working from home!
Awesome post, Jacki! (And I was just reading your funny comment over on Unclutterer re: dog treadmills, too…)
I happen to love to write, but still procrastinate on doing it because of What it Means, so I can completely relate to this. As someone who’s moved a ton, you had me nodding in agreement there, too. Sometimes it is so much easier to focus on that really tangible process and forsake the less tangible (how do I know it’s working?) stuff of building a business.
How about not writing? I mean, I know, it’s a great way to build a business with a non-local audience, but what if you did something else instead? Video is additively easy these days if you’re up for it, but podcasting is still tried and true and I’m sure people would love a five minute organizing exercise every week. Heck, something like this, to listen to for my “27-Fling-Boogie” (which I never, ever actually do) would be awesome.
Also, I love your equestrian niche–what a fantastic idea! Good luck with the move and with fleshing out your Someday!
Jessica @ThriveYourTribe´s last blog post..Why it’s Never the Easy Metaphor
Hi Jacki,
You’re not alone. Like you and Rebecca Smith, above, I too clean as a way of procrastinating. The only thing is, I love to clean.
When finishing my thesis, my house was immaculate! Even the baseboards were washed routinely. I love what I studied but there’s a reason “science people” choose science…they tend not to enjoy writing.
From a fellow Canuck, best of luck on finding that balance between satisfaction and sacrifice. Just by writing this post you may be exposing yourself up to a whole bunch of new opportunities! Well done!
Sherri (Serene Journey)´s last blog post..Gratitude Journal: 30 Days To Happiness
@ Janet Thanks for helping make the connection!
@ Rebecca - Yes, dangers of working from home. Which job should I procrastinate first? Is it only women that feel guilty that they should be doing whatever it is they aren’t doing at the moment?
@ Jessica - Thanks for the suggestion of video blogging! It might beat Loonette’s “10 second tidy” of throwing everything under the sofa cushions! http://tinyurl.com/comfycouch
@Sherri - I totally hear you on the science thing. I have an M.Sc. Lab reports - easy. Creative writing is my personal version of hell. Thanks for the good wishes!
@Alex - Thanks for being SO supportive! I couldn’t have done what I did without your encouragement. I’m so glad you’ve started coaching because you’re a good one and you deserve to be paid for your talent!
Trade ya. You clean my toilets…I’ll do the blogging.
Friar´s last blog post..Contest Winners Announced!
wow, I discovered when kids and dogs were gone that I hate cleaning, but I love writing…
I even write on the walls…no lie…
I get nicely on a writing roll and then have to go and hang the laundry on the line….or dryer racks…
I would like to make a paycheck that is worth it one of these somedays….I truly believe someday someone will write me a check - a huge check for all the volunteer work I do….
someday it will happen and maybe before I die?
I am afraid to write a book…maybe I should go and clean the oven?
Patricia´s last blog post..Discoveries in the World of Cleft Palates
I always find myself cleaning when I want to put other things off…You sound like you have plenty of energy though and that’s a good thing.
Don’t like writing!? I’m kidding, of course. Most people have an aversion to writing, and I understand that (not). An organizing blog is a great idea, though. Maybe someday…
Melissa Donovan´s last blog post..Plotting Fiction: The Elements of Plot
@Janet
I agree - there’s a whole new realm of virtual organizing waiting to be explored.
@Rebecca
Ah yes, and a related danger of working at home is of course that others who don’t work at home think we have all the time in the world to do the cleaning and the laundry and the dishes and the cooking and the…
@Jessica
Thanks for the suggestions! These days blogging doesn’t just have to mean writing. There’s a whole lot of people out there who hate reading but love watching/listening.
@Sherri
I agree wholeheartedly that Jacki’s opening herself up to new possibilities with this post. And I plan on having her back to let us know how things are going.
@Jacki
Thanks re: the coaching support. I do love doing it. And I could totally see you doing a video blog - mix up your horse stuff, the martial arts and organizing and you’d have a really unique and interesting niche.
@Friar
Sounds like a fair trade to me. What do you think, Jacki?
@Patricia
I think the volunteer-paycheque is called the “warm fuzzies” - as much as we’d like to have it pay us in money, the rewards for volunteering are much less concrete.
@Paul D
Sometimes I wish I would clean when I’m procrastinating. I just putter… And yes, Jacki has LOTS of energy.
@Melissa
I love writing but still avoid it at times. Many writers have an aversion to it, which is silly - why avoid what we love doing? (look for my answer tomorrow)
Oh Jacki how true…
Look out closets here I come. The family knows when I have a deadline looming. My hubby says tie it down because it may not be there when they get home. Needless to say we have immaculate closets now and I am looking for alternate ones to procrastinate in.
Elaine
@Friar Do you take dictation? If so, I’ll clean you write my blogs for me.
@Patricia Volunteering is contributes to learning, self-confidence and can be a big ego boost but unfortunately it doesn’t pay the bills.
@Paul - Yes I have plenty of energy. Sometimes I have to burn it off at the gym so I can sit still and work. Quiet body=quiet mind.
@Melissa I’ve started another (not quite organizing blog) but I’m still not a fan of writing.
@Alex - Thanks for the wisdom!
@Elaine
Good thing you have an organizing business! You can get paid for your procrastination…
@Jacki - Yes! I believe that it is only women who feel that particular kind of guilt. (Why is that? Sometimes I envy men.) I’ve actually talked about this with my girlfriends before, and we’re all in agreement.
@Alex – Oh, don’t get me started. We’re home all day, why can’t we run to the market and the post office between cooking and cleaning? Um, because we’re WORKING!
Rebecca Smith´s last blog post..Are you discomgollifusticated?
[...] Why cleaning is more interesting than writing - Someday Syndrome Two months ago, I promised myself that I would write a guest post for Alex here on Someday Syndrome but I’ve been totally been procrastinating. [...]
@Rebecca
Normally he’s pretty good though.
My bf once said to a friend who was over for lunch and amazed at what I’d put together: “It’s because he didn’t work today.” As soon as it was out of his mouth his face froze and he glanced over at my very stony eyes and modified to: “didn’t work outside the house today.” Barely saved himself from wearing his pasta on his head.
Hi Jacki,
Found this post through Sherri’s Serene Journey. The picture made me smile to kick off reading the post - great choice! I also love what you said about not giving up your husband, absolutely not, not ever. No ’someday’ about that! It warms my heart when I see such devotion.
Daphne´s last blog post..How To Find Happiness in 5 Minutes
Ha! A good save on his part … and some fine restraint on yours.
Rebecca Smith´s last blog post..Beware the ides of March?
@Daphne
Jacki’s devotion is great. To move around every 2 years for your spouse is a difficult thing, but there are things definitely worse the sacrifices.
@Rebecca
Much restraint.