I'm procrastinating...
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
Singapore
April 25, 2010 3:58am CST
Okay, I'm supposed to be writing. I have told my friends here at myLot that I want to increase my repertoire of writing. It's still stuck at no. 100 since more than a year ago. I'm ashamed to even admit this. Admit, I must!
A few days ago, I completed a writing assignment. I was gaining that momentum in writing back again. Over the past month, I also wrote lots of reviews. I'm almost at cashout there. Gaining more momentum...
But as of now, at this very moment, I'm procrastinating writing my next article. How do you know if I'm doing that? You know it if I'm here at mylot. I'm mylotting. Although, it is also another avenue to earn money, but I know it is not the best use of my time. I want to write, but just not motivated.
So, I mylot when I'm procrastinating. I also do other things like clean up and wash the toilet (my favourite!
). What do you do when you are procrastinating writing your next piece? ![](/Content/images/emotes/snoring.gif)
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1 person likes this
9 responses
@alwayzzcitra (1861)
• Indonesia
26 Apr 10
LOL, I know what you're talking about. But believe me, every aspiring writer or even the professional ones have been there. It's normal! I have to admit that I am one of the biggest procrastinator in this planet
. There are times when we are so lazy we want to sleep all day, but there are also times when we feel like writing 100 articles. Just take it easy. It happened to me, not too long ago. I lost my writing motivation, I felt so bored and thought I can't do it anymore. I didn't care about the money anymore, especially because the conversion rate of US $ to IDR is getting lower day by day. I believe everything that we have done should be rewarded. So because the money is no longer an option, I decided to get my self a few girly things like a HAND BAG! Yay! I bought some stuff from e-bay and I'm excited. This motivation is now working very well.
So, for you, how about "I can wash the toilet after I write this article! Yay!" :D
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@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
26 Apr 10
Haha... That's a good one...
At this moment, I'm telling myself that I should give myself two hours to write, starting from 10am. But as it is, i'm still mylotting. My next action is getting my daughter to shower, maybe wash the toilet while at it...
Too bad I'm not that motivated by material things like handbags. But maybe money can help. I feel I need to get a writing assignment, so I get deadlines to work on. Without deadlines, I tend to delay and delay...
Thank you for your comments!
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@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
26 Apr 10
Yes, Alwayzzcitra,
I'm on Triond. Did you see my articles in Triond? Have you added me as a friend? Please do if you haven't.
There were some things that happened in my life last year and I was very depressed. I have not fully recovered as yet, but slowly trying to pick myself up. I want to resume writing, but my engine just would not budge.
I must compliment. You write very well too. I have seen your posts here on myLot. ![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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@alwayzzcitra (1861)
• Indonesia
26 Apr 10
You're on Triond, right? You've written great articles, why stop? It's a shame ![](/Content/images/emotes/sad.gif)
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@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
12 May 10
Procrastinating is good at times. It gets one's mind focused and clear on certain things. And then to come back fresh each time, either with continuing from where things have been left off, or to make a good comeback. I call procrastinating as taking breaks in between, recharging batteries too. Don't be hard on yourself, you'll find yourself getting better at your writing too, after a good mind's rest.
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@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
12 May 10
Hi zed,
I procrastinated for more than a year. I can't even justify it as a short break or recharging batteries.
How's yr writing getting along, zed?
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@aaaaaggieee (64)
• Philippines
26 Apr 10
i wake up early in the morning, that is the time where I receive the most inspiration to write.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
26 Apr 10
I'm also a morning person. I really should set my writing time in the morning instead of any other time of the day. You are right, morning it shall be...
Tomorrow morning? ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
26 Apr 10
I am the worst at procrastinating, especially when it comes to my writing. I will find anything and everything to distract me, including Mylot and house cleaning. It's bad when I would rather scrub the toilet than write-- that's when I know I really am working hard to avoid sitting down in front of the computer and staring at a blank screen. Maybe when the whole house sparkles and I can't find a single good discussion to respond to, I will stop and write-- but I don't see that happening anytime soon.![](/Content/images/emotes/wink.gif)
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@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
26 Apr 10
Hi there sillychick,
Welcome to the club!
You are my first member. I was laughing when I read "maybe when the house sparkles" That sounds great but I don't think that would happen. I don't think I'd go to that extent. But it may happen then... Bleargh! ![](/Content/images/emotes/cry.gif)
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@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
26 Apr 10
I mylot too. Then I read. Then I wind up on YouTube. Then I do my homework. (Yeah, I procrastinate on homework too.) I've been procrastinating on doing a certain re-write edit that's been waiting since the end of November. I actually sat down and got some done today! The way you get past procrastination is to sit down and do it. Just start, the rest will fall into place eventually.
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
26 Apr 10
You are right, Ally!
You just have to sit down and write. I get caught up with activities during the day, especially after my daughter wakes up in the morning. So now, I'm hoping to do my writing in the morning, before she even wakes up. In that way, I would feel good after at least one article is out for the day. Thank you for responding, Ally!
@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
25 Apr 10
Hey Sydney!
'Procrastination', you made it sound good huh! Anyway, it's good as a short, healthy break from your busy schedule of writing. It should make you recharged for your next writing assignment.
I have done it a lot too but not knowing I was actually procrastinating. I thought I was multi-tasking or 'breaking'. Hehe... Anyway, when my body starts aching, when my vision becomes blurry and when my head spins a little, I know it's time to stop. I walk a lot now and I would just go for a quick stroll and back. Sometimes, my bad habit takes over and you'll find me munching at the nearest fast food. It sure is hard to beat the habit despite telling myself my limit. I'm scared of lying down or to listen to the music at this time because I normally end up sleeping. And it's a terrible feeling waking up the next day knowing you have not completed your assignment. Or having to wake up in the midst of a beautiful dream to continue with what you left a moment ago. Reading makes my eyes equally heavy. Maybe the next time I need to procrastinate, seriously no offence please, I'll try to clean up the toilet. It's not that bad anyway. And it adds up to my repertoire of procrastination.
Thanks for the topic. Enjoy your afternoon! Take care!
@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
25 Apr 10
Actually, I'm not really busy, that's the reason why I'm so mad with myself sometimes.
You made it sound better - multi-tasking and "breaking"
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In actual fact, I have not been writing a lot lately. What started my interest in writing again was my recent writing assignment. It had me going. I think I need to get more writing assignments. Doing it on my own accord is not helping me.
Hey! Maybe the next time, you procrastinate, ask me along. I don't mind hanging out at McD or whichever fast food you like for that matter, to "take a break" from my writing. ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@tomitomi (5429)
• Singapore
25 Apr 10
No prob!
You have already started. Just keep going. Nike says "Just do it". Lots of sites here that pay as well. Sometimes it's not the actual task but getting to do the task that's hard. I know you can do it. Think of all these experiences while you were not writing. Would be nice to reflect upon and a topic to discuss or to review. Think of where you can write best. Start with the easier ones or more interesting topics. Perhaps that help.
So, Happy writing!
@patgalca (18273)
• Orangeville, Ontario
25 Apr 10
I've been procrastinating for probably a year now. I thought my novel was finished until an agent told me it was too short so I became discouraged. Then another author told me I needed a subplot. I have worked a bit on that but not much. Getting advice like that discouraged me and I lost my motivation. I try to write articles for Triond but can't think of stuff to write about. I stumbled across the topic of my last article while searching online, wrote the article and it took off. I was dumbfounded. So now I find myself thinking that anything I write will not be as good as that was. Gad, I must have really low self-esteem.
My procrastination takes the form of playing online games. Bad, I know. I took the time yesterday to help my daughter with her homework, on the computer, because she didn't know how to do charts. I told her it would be faster and neater if I just did it for her. She read it to me and I typed it. If I could take the time away from the internet to do that, why can't I take the time to work on my own writing? I'm feeling much like a failure right now.
I am still going to my writing group and do writing there. I try to use the prompts to write scenes for my novel and have done so. But changing hand-written to type-written on the computer is holding me back. I hate that this has happened to me. I think I may be depressed, but the depression may come from my lack of writing. Which came first? *shrug* I really need someone to be in my house and sit down beside me and make me do what I have to do. ![](/Content/images/emotes/surrender.gif)
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@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
25 Apr 10
Hi Pat,
I understand when you say that you are suffering from low self-esteem. Whatever hit me and my family has diminished any form of self-esteem for me. Like you, I have been procrastinating for more than a year. Not much writing during that time, just concentrating on soem "pertinent" problems that has not been resolved.
I recently took up games as well on my cellphone mostly, just to distract myself from problems I'm facing. I know time is better spent writing.
Glad you are still going for writing groups. I did not join any. If I did, I would have fallen out definitely, like all other things in my life. I don't think I can use writing prompts. The topics I write must interest me or it won't come out right. How I wish we could sit down together and just write, you know? But you are so far away. ![](/Content/images/emotes/doh.gif)
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@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
25 Apr 10
Wash the toilet oh myG. not my favorite. When I procrastinate
in writing, I sit down and do my clear your senses exercise.
I write anything comes to mind not punctuating or anything, not
even editing, just a stream of consciousness thing like James
Joyce did. well of course it will not as good as Joyce's but
it will have lubricated your mind to work on your piece.
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@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
25 Apr 10
Hi Hatley,
It's funny right? When I procrastinate doing something, i'd do everything else besides the one I really need to do - including washing the toilet. i will find a thousand and one other things that are "urgent"...
Anyway, you are doing the right things as a writer. You are following all the necessary steps when having a mental block. But it's not a mental block that I have, just a resistance to write...
Thank you for the cheers! ![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
25 Apr 10
Hey Sydney! Nice to see you anyway!lol When I procratinate I
am usually here too! But, then I'm always here so I am always
procrastinating and not doing whatever it is I'm supposed to
be doing anyway! And if I was procrastinating it would be from
cleaning the toilet for one thing!
I hope you can
find your "writing thing" again soon! I just haven't been able
to find mine for a very long time! This place is the only
place that I ever write at all! I kind of gave up trying to
write articles at this point! Maybe somewhere down the road
I might find my own "writing thing" again! Anyway, good luck with
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@SydneyHazelton (4586)
• Singapore
25 Apr 10
HI Opal,
I see that you are here very often. I can see you got from a four-digit to a five-digit. My! My! You must be procrastinating a lot!
I hope I can get my writing thing again too. I shall start TODAY! My first article in more than 15 months! I shall not give up my dream of earning passive income, even if it can only cover part of my bills, at this point.
I want it to grow and grow, to cover all my expenses for the month, and subsequently have enough to even save for a rainy day. My dream goes on...
It has to start TODAY! ![](/Content/images/emotes/doh.gif)
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