DOODLES

Putting in long hours on two, soon to be three, extra translation and editing projects, as well as the day job, in order to finance the July workshop at Karuna and a projected trip to the US in September. It's quite nice work, but my constitution really finds one job enough. I can exert the self-discipline to start working again for a few hours every evening and through the weekend, but after a while without any 'down time', start to feel very bad.  So I'm trying hard this time not to get into the usual manic spiral that ends in nervous exhaustion and depression, to take it slowly and steadily, with regular time out for other things. It has to get done, but it doesn't have to get done to unrealistic, often self-imposed, deadlines, or to unprecedented standards of perfection. Playing with the photo-editing software instead of getting on with work is therefore not procrastination. It's perfectly in line with a thoughtful and self-aware strategy for pacing myself...

Comments

[tamarika]

Jean,
I know what you mean. I find that I get into quite a tiz if I don't allow myself some down time that is a bit playful and relaxing. How exciting that you will be visiting the States. Of course we can talk about that really soon in person, eh?
Smiles.

[Leslee]

Ach. I can only rarely put in extra time without getting exhausted. But it sounds like you're pacing yourself and the schedule isn't too tight. And the travel rewards at the end must help! Hope you continue to find time to play to break things up.

[Zinnia Cyclamen]

Hahaha! Just like me reading novels isn't procrastination, it's research. And commenting on people's blogs isn't procrastination either, it's writing practice. Right?

[Lucy]

Lovely to have it confirmed that all these pottering, wool-gathering things aren't procrastination! I knew it really.

[marja-leena]

Good to know that you are taking time out to play, Jean! The visual delights of photo-editing really balance out all those reams of text,
I fully agree. I also find that I have to remind myself to go move around a bit, preferably outdoors in green spaces, and to look far far way.