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As someone with OCD, I can be a bit difficult on myself. I'm the type of person that when I get something in my head that I need to do, it needs to be done, asap. This means, that if I plan to clean my apartment, but for whatever reason, I get super busy during the day, it's still getting done even if it's 1:00 am and I should be sleeping. I obsess over the task, and this exact scenario has happened before.
This phenomena has led me to overthink when I write blog posts. I usually have posts go up every Friday, pending of course the long hiatuses I took during school. But if I particularly have a busy week and I don't have time to write, I still feel like I need to set aside time to write a blog post even if there are not enough hours in the day. It seems like life or death: it's in my head, so now it needs to be done. The result is that writing blog posts is not always enjoyable for me anymore. Sometimes they feel like a chore, something to just tick off of a to-do list and then head to do the other thing. So, I am challenging myself to do some revamping.
Given my updated work schedule and just general life events, I want to push myself to undo the weekly blog schedule and instead upload posts on Fridays when my heart desires. This means I might post every Friday at first, then do every other Friday, maybe even go three Fridays before I write and schedule another post. I know this task will be uncomfortable for me as I don't want to feel like I am abandoning my blog or not fulfilling my blogging duties. But I need to get to the point where every task I complete in a day is not something that I obsess to the point where I'm making myself sick over it. Especially blogging should be enjoyable, and not a chore.
I can get uncomfortable when routines are undone like this. But I do think it's a good first step in getting to a point where I don't need to check everything off my list in order to feel complete in a day. Then perhaps at some point I'll feel stable enough to integrate a bit more of a blogging routine again without the stress. I am hopeful that this change will be for the better.
How are you with tasks? Do you create a strict routine for yourself?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
You've succeeded in doing so many things out of your confort zone lately, so I'm sure you'll manage to do this one as well!
ReplyDeleteI have an Excel doc that I originally created in order to keep abreast of my blogging, but in time morphed into an "everything schedule". That said, it's more a way to remind myself of what I'm supposed to do/where I'm supposed to be each day, because I do tweak my schedule when needed...
Good plan, Roberta! Especially with the appts that you and your husband have, it's good to keep track.
DeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteI have similar issues with Anxiety, especially because my Depression means my memory is sometimes not great, so my Anxiety is like 'you might forget to do the thing!!!!'
My advice (for what it's worth,) - imagine what you'd expect a blog-friend to do, and try not to hold yourself to a higher standard than that (I know... easier said than done.)
Good advice, Cee. Thank you :)
DeleteI have learned it's better not to post than to post, especially when you have no desire for it. I have written tons of posts that I thought to post but ended up not posting.
ReplyDeleteI think if you post once a month, it would be fine, that is still sticking to a schedule. You're busier than I am so I think you should give yourself some break.
Have a lovely day
Great points, Lissa! Thank you :)
DeleteEven though I am new to blogging I will agree with you.
ReplyDeleteHold it once a month and if you have something you want to communicate do it every other Friday or even every Friday!
I think that's good, nothing mandatory to make you feel like you didn't do everything you should!
Good advice, thank you for stopping by Katerina!
DeleteI used to be super harsh on myself for not blogging regularly - whether it's daily (back when I first started), a few times a week, or just weekly. It's a lot harder than it is (and a lot of unlearning), but I have faith in you! Sometimes it's better not to post and take care of your own health - because self care is also important!
ReplyDeleteI have a notion and currently stick to a weekly schedule, but if I don't have a post mostly drafted or in the works, I skip for that week. If I don't skip it and force myself to do it, eventually my own body will force me to do it, and it'll be for a much longer period of time than if I put a stop to it earlier myself. I think it's that thought that's helping not force myself.
Daily is definitely a huge commitment. Glad you've found a routine that works :)
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