Things to do when you mean to be Writing
Procrastination List
I’m revising a screenplay. A romcom! I love this project, I’ve had actual dreams about it. I’ve cast it in my mind. Like, a real written list. And yet, I’ve been procrastinating. The muse of procrastinating isn’t new, it’s in my DNA. (facts: if ADHD is truly genetic). I’m committed but have issues getting started so I’ve compiled a list of things I’ve done when I meant to be writing:
Start a new writing project. At last count, I have five writing projects in various stages of writing.
Research topics for one of the aforementioned projects. Here are some links to things I’ve read and listened to recently
Watch Alone for survivalist ideas
Cloud seeding - messing with nature
Clean. And not just putting away clothes and vacuuming. Like clean your office chair. (It’s probably gross. Do it).
Dream up elaborate meals. Ones that require a marinade and a lot of chopping. Get really into it, watch a TikTok or Reel. Really get into it, only to realize you have a 1/4 of the ingredients. Give up and make a pb & j.
Read an Emily Henry book. I finished her latest Funny Story last week and devoured it.
Find your old iPod and jam out. A few weeks back I finally cleared out storage from my early pandemic move. The songs are from the early 00’s and 2010s. I made a lot of CD mixes back then and some of those playlists are on there. And I rediscovered Kenna. His song Static was a bop. Where is he?
Get really into learning Portuguese on Duolingo. So into it that it is now a daily habit. Parabens a mim!
Powerwash the deck. Last weekend I decided to powerwash the deck. I earned four mosquito bites and my shoes are still out there. It was sweaty, wet and hot. Of course, writing was off the menu that day.
Watch Fallout on Prime Video. There are fallout shelters, Walton Goggins as The Ghoul, still hot even without a nose. A show about post-apocalyptic America with a commentary on capitalism? I’m in!
Try new crochet projects. I started crocheting in October. It’s very relaxing for my brain and gives me something to do with my hands besides doomscroll while watching the same episode of New Girl.
I made this chicken drumstick recently. Practicing how to crochet in the round and making sure I know how to count. I have a basket of granny squares in different motifs. I’m going to make a patchwork blanket by the end of the year.
Listen to podcasts while crocheting.
Actually cook a meal. Something simple and relatively healthy.
Jot down a lot of notes about your current work in progress. Voice notes, whiteboards, Google Docs, and one of your ten notebooks.
There are many more ways that I’ve avoided doing the one thing that I really love. During a long stint of unemployment, it is the one thing that I felt confident about, and didn’t feel bad that I was applying to hundreds of jobs every month because I was busy working on the script. I know what I have to do to get my ADHD brain to focus and this post is to air out my shame and hold myself accountable. This counts as writing and fits into my commitment to #1000daysofsummer, it’s day 8.
Okay, I’m off. Going to have a late lunch. Maybe exercise, that is another thing I did, used AI to create a calisthenics routine. It worked, my triceps are still vibrating from two days ago.