I had a bit of trouble deciding what to give up for Lent this year. As a kid we we always gave up television. Last year I gave up all junk food (which worked for about a week…) and buying clothes (I think I ended up buying two shirts at one time, and they were stolen from my car. The world works in mysterious ways!)
This year I don’t need to give up buying clothes (in fact I should probably start buying clothes again), and I don’t feel that I even eat enough junk food to warrant giving that up. I always try to give something up that will really change my life or at least be pretty difficult. While Erica said that she doesn’t like being told when to start something new (as in New Years Resolutions) I actually really like it, and Lent in particular since it comes with measurable dates to start and stop. I could start exercising more, but let’s be honest , it’s winter and I live in Canada. But Kent is running every day for Lent so I’m sure I’ll get out there with him when it’s not snowing. Just not every day.
Now that we’ve established that I’m perfect and I don’t need to give up anything (juuuust kidding!), I’ll tell you what I did decide to give up:
For Lent, I’m giving up procrastinating.
Does anyone else have that ongoing list of small tasks that need to get done eventually, but that never seem pressing? I do, but I wrote them all out a few weeks ago and haven’t crossed any off since. On it is everything from getting my last name change officially finished, printing honeymoon pictures and some more wedding photos, hanging the quilt my Oma made us as a wedding gift (apparently wedding tasks are not my forte even six months later), fixing my coffee table, painting a bookshelf, filling me and Kent’s ipods with songs, organizing all the photos and videos on our computer, fixing my car tire, vacuuming my car, getting Kent’s ring sized finally… the list goes on! (For two and a half notebook pages, to be exact.) For Lent, I’m going to finish EVERYTHING on this list.
I wrote out everything I could possibly think of yesterday and then felt extremely overwhelmed with everything I need to do in the next forty days. But I got started on it right away, and last night in the hour between school and my evening course, I got all my honeymoon photos printed along with some wedding photos, and bought an album to put them in. I also made an appointment to get my name changed on my health card today, and Kent has been instructed to get our tire and coffee table fixed today (okay so maybe I’m not doing it all on my own.) I’m excited, not about doing all of these things but about having them all done.
Although to be honest, I’m a little worried that tasks like these keep adding up and I will keep adding things to the list forever. I’m curious, how does everyone else deal with these little tasks? Are you good at staying on top of things or like me do you have pages of things that need to get done eventually?
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I have what I refer to as my “dump list”. It’s where I just list all those things that pop into my head that I know need to get done but I either procrastinate on or that I forget about until weird inopportune times. I even keep it in a little notebook beside my bed in case I can’t sleep or wake up in the night because of one of those things popping into my head and nagging me about needing to be done.
It’s funny…I am not big on New Year’s resolutions either. I like to make goals as needed throughout the year but there’s something about the goal setting ideas of Lent that I enjoy. I don’t always give something up – even in school I taught my students that you could give something up OR you could add something to your life as long as either way it’s about making an improvement. This year though I did choose to give up something – those snide little comments that come out of my mouth sometimes. I’m a nice person and am good to people but in my family we have a habit of teasing and sarcasm. It’s meant to be all in fun but I know that sometimes it crosses a line. I just want to stop and think more about the things I say (and type!) and try to inject more kindness and less criticism in them.
.-= Cyn´s last blog ..Ash Wednesday =-.
I decided to give up beverages that aren’t milk or water. I didn’t think it would be too difficult since water is one of my favourite drinks anyways, but already last night I was out visiting and was offered a really delicious looking pomegranite punch and had to use all my will power to say ‘just water!’
GREAT resolution! Writing to-do lists actually relieve my anxiety rather than add to it – when I am feeling stressed out or overwhelmed, I sit down and write down eeeverything on my mind or that I need to do and I immediately feel better. Crossing things off lists is such a great feeling. I would say in the last six months I have become much better at procrastinating – I just kind of realized that it feels REALLY GOOD to get things done immediately.
For lent I am giving up chocolate. HARD, but needed. I eat way too much of it. Kent’s resolution is really good too.
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Lenten Promises. =-.
Definitely drinking more water and sticking with my new “lifestyle” change, aka my diet – so eating no sweets/treats. Good luck with working on your procrastinating. I don’t think I could do it because I would end up procrastinating about ending my procrastination…haha
.-= Corinne´s last blog ..Rebound Pomeranian? =-.
I’m bad with lists! I have so many things that I need to do, and I feel like I never get them done! I keep a running grocery list, but then forget to bring it with me when I go to the store. If I am running to Target for things, I’ll make a list, and then forget half of the things on it. I should work on getting better at this. Maybe for Lent?
Meanwhile, I gave up red meat, soda and cupcakes, along with buying new fabric (I’m obsessed) and buying red shoes (also obsessed- bought two new pairs last week!)
.-= Lexi´s last blog ..Valentine crafts =-.
That is such a great Lent goal!! I’m so bad with procrastinating, so I know how you feel. I have such a bad habit of putting things off until tomorrow, and then tomorrow never comes. I think I’m going to try this too. Good luck!
Okay I realized that I didn’t really answer your question – I get things done by writing them down on lists and telling Tim or showing him the list and asking him to help keep me accountable for what I need to get done. there is a fine line between nagging and keeping another person accountable, but we can have pretty open and honest conversations and really support each other with our promises and tasks. Also we write them really big on peices of paper and put it on the fridge under a magnet of you and Kent!
.-= Leah´s last blog ..Lenten Promises. =-.
I am definitely giving up fast food. Every time I’m driving home from practice I am just craving anything from any fast food restaurant. I usually don’t stop, but when I do, I’m happy for like 10 minutes, then after that I’m just totally disappointed that I just ate fast food after a hard cheer practice.
I am super bad at getting things done that need to get done. I usually make a list and get totally overwhelmed, but eventually end up getting it all done!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Lenten Promises. =-.
I also struggle with getting things done, but I agree with Leah, it helps to write them all down. I instantly feel less stressed when I have a list of things I have to do.
Also, this may sound sort of nerdy, but if I have a day off and a lot of things I need to get done, I actually write down a schedule (like times I want to do things), this way I don’t keep saying ‘I’ll do that after I finish this chapter/episode’ and I actually get stuff done.
This year for lent I am giving up candy.
Saw this post linked on 20sb – what a great idea! I don’t really ‘do’ Lent, but I should run with this idea. I’m actually writing a post about my procrastination tendencies and I just need to give it up! I hope you post updates about how this is working out – I’m looking forward to checking out this blog!
Ahhhh that is a good one. Procrastination, huh? The only thing is that I would be so scared to cave! I just don’ t know if that would be realistic for me, haha. But I wish you the best of luck! Procrastination sure gets in the way a lot. That is for sure.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Top 5 Posing and Directing Photography Tips =-.
Wow that’s a tough one. Good luck with it Mic! And you’ll have to let me know how it goes!! Not sure I could give up procrastinating – I find I get so much done when I’m procrastinating
This is the best thing to do for lent…ever. Certainly beats giving up potato chips which has been my goal. (for the past 10 years). I am a hyper procrastinator, and always about little stuff like you mentioned — cleaning, errands etc. Hope it goes well!