Chores to do instead of writing
@morgandrake (2136)
United States
October 5, 2007 7:19pm CST
It has been said that writers are the only people happy to clean the toliet. The reason for that is that occasionally writers will do anything to avoid sitting down and actually writing.
Today, I was having one of those days. I took out the trash, cleaned out the cat boxes, did laundry, some dishes, arranged an UPS pickup, and talked to a roving produce salesman. I also spent a lot of time here responding to discussions. All just to avoid actually writing.
It wasn't the worst avoidance day I ever had. I have done home repairs, homework, and vacuuming (oh I loathe vacuuming) on my worst days. And I can always do market research, blogging, and regular research. Plus there is gardening and cleaning out my storage. Running errands are also good for me.
It was not a big surprise that I felt like this today. Yesterday, I had a mirgraine and ended up with a surprise test--to write an emotional three paragraph piece--in one of my classes.
My other triggers are when I am burned out, or blocked. And being stressed out about money for some reason triggers my avoidance also.
So what triggers your "avoiding the writing" days? And what are your favorite things to do (or least favorite, but you find yourself doing them anyways) when you are in avoidance mode?
5 people like this
6 responses
@billy_shears (144)
• United States
10 Oct 07
If I want to clean the house, the best thing I can do is sit down to write. There is also a hierarchy to writing. Anything about pin up modeling beats creative writing. Creative writing beats school work. Unpaid beats paid. And there is no way to fool my brain either. I've tried to tell myself 'I'm just going to write about unicorns' when I have an something else I need to do, but it doesn't work that way.
2 people like this
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
11 Oct 07
I understand that hierarchy; sounds a lot like my own.
1 person likes this
@unusualsuspect (2602)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I'm a big procrastinator, but cleaning the toilet will never be something I do because I like it. :-) Of course, any job that's mindless lets me think while I'm doing it. I put off the writing mostly because it makes me tired--literally. I'm a very low energy person, and writing does take it out of me. So the mindless chores, if they're not too physically strenuous, give me a chance to recharge mentally.
2 people like this
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Just imagine being blocked so much on a piece of writing that cleaning the toliet is a welcome task. *shudders*
1 person likes this
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I will admit it. When I am not writing or doing anything else, I will clean my house up. That includes the dishes, the toilet, you name it. Whatever needs cleaning...
@patgalca (18394)
• Orangeville, Ontario
6 Oct 07
I am a major procrastinator. I always have something I want to get done first before I get to my writing and before I know it the day is over or I am just too tired to focus on writing. That is why joining a writing group is so beneficial. At least I know I will get some writing done when I go to group and I try never to miss a session. I have made great friends there. Check out this article I wrote for Triond.com re the benefits of joining a writing group.
http://www.quazen.com/Arts/Online-Writing/10-Benefits-of-Joining-a-Writing-Group.49881
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
16 Oct 07
I did a whole lot of writing between life, that is writing on my novel. If someone asks why it is not finished, I am on the sixth draft, and I have to work on the internet to make some money, but when I looked at myLot, I got the feeling that well I have a choice, make money or write. Well today, I have been at morning bible study, I got home, got on myLot, blogged, changed the bed, and did the washing, and am waiting until my husband says "lets get the groceries." It is not that I am avoiding writing, it is just that if I get on it, I cannot do anything else, so in order to avoid the guilt of novel writing or making money, today I am concentrating on the money writing thing and will get back to novel writing later. Oh tonight I am washing my hair and NCIS is on.
2 people like this
@miamilady (4910)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I actually have the opposite problem. I using my "writing" on myLot to avoid all those chores that I should be doing.
I'm not a professional writer, but I can relate to avoiding the things that we should be doing.
My life is dictated by my "moods". If I can't get in the mood to do something, I usually don't.
Many would percieve that as being lazy. They may be right. I don't know. I think many of the more creative souls are dictated by mood.
Sometimes I will try to overcome this mood think and just recite the old Nike phrase "Just do it".
I'll just get to a point where I realize I can't put things off anymore and I just force myself to get things done.
I'll be reaching that point sometime soon today. I hope. Maybe. lol
After a few more responses to discussion.
2 people like this
