Friday, August 19, 2011

The Lazy Perfectionist

I have issues.

I think I suffer from a rare form of perfectionism which causes me to quit things that I've begun.

Exhibit A:
Childhood journals. Dozens and dozens of them, started with gusto, tons of enthusiasm, an I'm-gonna-write-in-this-every-day-if-it-kills-me attitude. Day three. Too tired. Think I'll do it tomorrow. Tomorrow comes. Disgusted with myself for being too lazy to write on day three. Never write in it again.

Six Months later. Brand new notebook. Start again. Day three. Vicious cycle ensues.

Exhibit B:
Prayer journals. Don't you just get so enthused when you hear a speaker recommend prayer journals? You think about how great it will be to look back in your journal to see all the things God has done. I know the idea grabs me EVERY TIME. So, I buy a brand new notebook, and....you guessed it. Day three. Vicious cycle ensues.

Exhibit C:
Any number of "great ideas" I have for teaching my kids. I buy a workbook or a program or a book or a CD or a DVD series or whatever. I don't even have to tell you how it ends. Blah, blah, vicious cycle.

So, when I started this blog, I told myself that I don't have to write here every day. I told myself that everything I put on here doesn't have to be Pulitzer Prize worthy (duh). I told myself I was doing this for fun and nothing more. And now it's been three months since I've written anything. And I've probably lost my three readers for good. But, I'm determined not to quit because, actually, I really like thinking about this blog, even when I'm not writing on it.

And besides, I've found a loophole.

I took the summer off.

See how that works? Just like that. It's no longer a matter of laziness or lack of ideas. It's what we busy professional mothers/bloggers have to do. We have a life, you know. We take time off from the trials of a popular blog. I mean, my three readers can be really demanding!

So, I'm back from my summer sabbatical. My, it was refreshing! You'll be pleased to know that this summer I started yet another prayer journal that I abandoned. I don't think I even made it to day three. But, hey, I wouldn't have even been able to start it without my time off.

I like to think that my lack of stick-to-it-ness it more about being a closet perfectionist than being completely without discipline. Or maybe I just really love to buy new notebooks. Whatever the case, I hope that I can come up with something else to say here before I have to claim a fall holiday. Thanks for reading!

5 comments:

  1. so glad you are back. and i can totally relate to the journals and starting neat new ideas. so been there done that and still trying to do that. :) good stuff. :)

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  2. hi-larious. i feel ya sista. and the guilt of the prayer journal is a heavy one. haha. oh well. almost as bad as a bsf cram session 1 hour before we meet :) i mean....ive heard that its like that........you know. wonder what God would say about all of this

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  3. Thank you, Leah!

    Ali, I wouldn't know anything about BSF cram sessions. (*whistles while looking at the sky nonchalantly*)

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  4. I so love a new journal!!! :) :) :) I'll admit that's my excuse for quitting.

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  5. This is funny. I'm thinking I ought to come up with a funny comment about how funny you are, but.....not just this minute. Maybe tomorrow or the next day.

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