What do you like to do? Make things with your hands? Figure puzzles? Indoor or outdoors? Bright colors? Quiet?
How much money ya got?

The "I need a hobby" was sarcastic.

I'm just kind of bummed.

But a hobby isn't a bad idea. Sometimes you need something to segueway something new into your life. Something worth a moment's wonder or excitement.

If you can't take a clear step forward, step left.

Maybe you should get an iPod

Seriously, I've found things happen go in cycles. Getting into lulls is normal. I'm in one now in my work life (and to a lesser extent at home). If you stay in the lull too long it becomes problematic.

Maybe getting a hobby isn't such a bad idea. I found getting into an activity where you're digging it doesn't give you time to just have that feeling where you want to let out a sigh.

Buena suerte. I'm relearning Spanish so I can be all rico suave with the latinas. Not sure if Mrs. Doohickie would approve of that for your hobby.

My pops used to say it reminded him of bebop.

Do you have bike paths nearby? I like to listen to my iPod while riding on the bike path.

touche, birdherder!

The problem is this: I've got plenty of stuff to do, and I know once I start it I'll be fine. Our house is just a mess, and per agreement that mostly falls on me. I haven't touched the yard yet this spring, and it needs attention badly. It seems like everything I do including starting this damned thread is a delaying action to keep me from doing real work. I just need to get off my duff.

Part of the issue, especially as it relates to house stuff, is that in about a year or two we will be putting the house up for sale. It's an okay house, but we're just kind of tired of it. The youngest Dooh graduates high school next summer so we won't be tied to any particular neighborhood.

I have some remodeling to do as well to get the house ready for the market. We still have plenty of time but if I don't get off my arse that'll evaporate.

At this point, though, I'm just ready to move somewhere new, even if it's just a few miles away. I haven't been in the same house this long since my childhood. I guess the real issue is that I'm restless. I want to sell this house, buy a new one and settle in.

Being at least a year away from all that, though, is kind of like anticipating Christmas before Thanksgiving has even happened. You know it's coming but there's nothing to do to make it faster.

Also, I've let my social life dwindle down to almost nothing. I'm a nub. And I don't like me much when I'm like that.

I have faith that things will come around. I'll get on top of the pile of work before me. We'll get the house sold and move to a new one. That simple act right there will be an excuse to make some new friends and I should probably renew some older friendships that I've let lapse starting now.

Also, since starting this thread, I think I've come to realize that I really need a vacation. I need to get away with just me and Mrs. Doohickie, not the boys. Maybe we can get some time this summer once school lets out for her.

Thanks to those who've shown a genuine concern in this thread. I appreciate it. Bunnies rock. :)

I know what you mean, doohickie.

I think a vacation is a great idea.

I am in a lazy, low point. I really don't want to be "bothered" with anything. I have a number of hobbies that I rotate through. I haven't been doing much in that department. By this time of year I would have planted some annuals and herbs, some new veggies, and had all of my pruning and spring fertilizing done. I have only fertilized. My husband hired his landscaper friend to prune. I can't be bothered.

I think I'm stressed and have a low tolerance for any amount of effort. Which is really pathetic, because I'm not usually like this, and I don't have much to be stressed over. I'm not usually like this. And if I am, it doesn't last that long. When I'm at work I do a fine job. When I'm home I take the path of least resistance.

This morning my kid had an early morning soccer game. That went fine. We went to McDonalds for breakfast after the game with a friend and her son. My friend was "going to hit the farmer's market, book store, and grocery store." She asked what my plans were for the day. Home is what my plans were. I don't feel like doing anything, not even running into the grocery store, which I need to do. I am out of necessities like half and half and milk. I called my husband at work and gave him a list.

It was a beautiful day today. I could have done any number of things. Instead, I went home, walked the dog, and let the kids play in the backyard while I sat in a chair and lied on the couch and got up every once in a while.

Tomorrow, I'm going to force myself to do something fun. I think I'll get the kids out in the yard with me to help me do some weeding and planting. Once I'm out there doing it, I'm fine and loving life. It's the getting out there that has been hard.

Wow Lori.... you sound like me! Those thoughts sound like they came right out of my head!

In fact, I think this thread started as a result of breakfast. Our church has a men's breakfast once a month at a local diner. As we were walking out, someone asked me what I was doing today. My mental answer was the same as yours: home. But being the poser I am, I said, "Well I have some housecleaning to do, and stuff stuff in the yard, and I really need to get back to my tiling project." Then I went home, slept for a few hours and whiled the afternoon away on the net.

I still haven't gotten the house clean.

Shit.

I feel better, though, knowing I'm not the only nub on the planet. ;-)

I feel better, though, knowing I'm not the only nub on the planet. ;-)

Me too, doohickie. I think most of us have our lazy, lulling periods. Mine is lasting too long for comfort.

I just read this on AskMe:


Motivation comes after action. Not before it. Raise your standards, your self expectations, schedule your day, and follow through. Expect yourself to follow through. Commit to it. Just one day, like, maybe tomorrow? It's like when you have a huge deadline at work, it's not fun, but you meet it, right? You just do it. Meeting your own goals is more fun, but don't wait for motivation. Seriously.

So I say to you, Friday is your good self day, Friday is the day every week you will accomplish your goals. I think you'll find your good behaviour (because of the intrinsic rewards) will leak into the rest of the week.

Link to post.

It's so true.

By gosh I'll DO IT!

Tomorrow, Monday at the latest...

I just read this on AskMe:

Motivation comes after action. Not before it. Raise your standards, your self expectations, schedule your day, and follow through. Expect yourself to follow through. Commit to it.

At an artist's talk last week, this sculptor (who was tremendous, btw, funny and engaging and inspiring) repeated the phrase "Everything's as hard as starting." Whatever you want or need to do, the hardest part is starting it, and nothing else will be as hard as that.

I've long believed this, and it's been a powerful motivator for the last decade or so of my life. Of course, right now I'm here specifically to procrastinate for a few minutes more before tackling some work, so maybe I'm not so much with the advice and the wisdom and the getting done of things.

Yay me! I finally got the kitchen and family room clean. It's a start, anyway.

Congrats! I know the feeling. I'm climbing out of a lull myself. For me it was a great visit with an old friend that did the trick.

And while I was in church this morning I got invited to a Sunday school class I used to attend regularly but stopped going. I decided to go; it was pretty good.

THEN I went out and did some spring cleaning in my front yard- cleaned out the flower beds, trimmed, mowed and swept for the first time this spring.

Lori's post motivated me. Now.... Lori: Get going! ;-)

Hey, Doohickie, that's fantastic! Yay, you!

And I'm more nearly done with the essay over which I was procrastinating, so yay me, too!

Good for you, doohickie! That is fantastic. I bet your yard is looking great.

I had a productive day myself. I weeded a ton, set up a new drip hose in the rose bed, and cleared some rotted flower pots that I had hidden behind my AC unit. I visited my parents and went to the grocery store.

I'm throwing a birthday party at my house soon, so that forces me to get my butt in gear.

Yay for productivity!