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Do You Have SideTrackitis?

I do!

I had a plan for this afternoon. I got home from exercise classes/manicure/grocery shopping. I was going to eat lunch, read my email and then blog. Somewhere in the middle of reading my email I decided to start looking at vacations for next summer. There was a logical sequence of reading an email from a friend and looking for a link to send to her. By the time I looked up an hour had gone by. No blogging and it was time to stretch and move away from the computer. I watched the news and did the Times crossword puzzle. 

I know I have the freedom to spend an unstructured afternoon/day/week, but I find myself so often sidetracked, and not getting done things I want to do around the house. The first few weeks of retirement I kept lists of things I wanted to do, but since coming home from BlogHer I've stopped my lists. I am getting to exercise class. I am seeing friends and doing my volunteer work. Clothes get washed and groceries are bought, but not a whole lot of other things. As overly structured as it seems I need a list of things I like to do at home -- reading, blog visits and notes to friends. Of course there's the mighty decluttering project. Just about anything can sidetrack me there and that's one place I need to add to my list. 

How do you organize your time at home and find a balance between relaxation and getting to the things you like to do? Any tips greatly appreciated!

Wishes for a wonderful Wednesday!
    

14 comments

Nellie said...

It sounds like you've had a very good day. Sometimes I think retirement is like a good stay-in-town vacation.:-) It is tempting to begin to fill the time as though one were working; however, that is a time that has been left behind now. I do find it helpful to have a routine. There are certain days that I am involved in certain activities, and I set aside a certain day to do laundry. Once I happen to sit with this laptop, though, I absolutely lose ALL track of time!:-)

Lynda said...

You are still doing a LOT! I am proud of you for sticking with the exercise!!! Also, I think you will find more energy at home when the weather cools off a bit. Being outside in the summer heat saps a person's energy. Also, you are still in transition. It took me almost six months to really find my new daily schedule. As far as getting things done, I keep two lists. One is for projects I want to do but they don't have to be done immediately. The second list is "tasks" and errands. On there, I will list priority things like paying bills, making phone calls, writing notes, part of a project, etc. Before I go to sleep at night, I glance at the list and decide what are the most important things to accomplish the next day. I highlight a task when it's completed. When at home and trying to get things done, I tell myself (or you can set a timer) that I will "reward" myself with the computer after I do a certain project or part of it. But like you, I do get side-tracked when I sit down at the computer. There are so many things I want to read - - like blogs. It is difficult many times to get back up and do some work. However, just keep a project in your focus and soon you will be obsessed with completing it. AND - - always focus on what got accomplished because there will always be tooooooo much left to do. That I know for a fact!

Deanna said...

Welcome to retirement my dear....I never seem to get things done in a timely manner and I can have whole days that go by and then I say...what the heck did I get done today??? You need some days like that...it's good for the soul!

peggy said...

most people say, how did I ever find time to work, and I can easily get side-tracked on the side-track.

TARYTERRE said...

I always get sidetracked. Looking forward to reading any tips too, for not letting that happen.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

I like the word "sidetrackitis"! I get easily sidetracked, even when I have the best of intentions. When I make lists (and remember to look at them) it helps me stay on track. But I'm not always good about making the lists. I've gotten out of the habit.

Thanks for coming by my blog and commenting on my procrastination issue. It sounds like you are still getting a lot done, and important things done. I think sometimes having no set schedule is good for us.

Paula said...

After I took my walk this morning, I came home and took a nap. Then I putzed around the house, picking things up and putting them down again. Charles and I went to see a movie, only to find out yesterday was the last day, so we went and got a pizza instead. I finally felt like I needed to accomplish SOMETHING! so I made a charm bracelet for my self. I posted a picture on Facebook, if you are interested!

I am a procrastinating putzer!

Lynn said...

I've really no responsibilities, my husband retired, 4 cats and a dog, so I let most days unfold by themselves, I retired youngish at 51 am now 63 so this rhythm took a while to establish however it works-I do what I or we want and if housey things get done they get done, nature dictates my time, watering, deadheading, wild bird feeders, I like to follow each days spirit independent of a clock or structure. Life seems to take care of itself quite nicely and I manage to paint, sew, visit, write, email, old fashioned letters, play with my cameras, etc...everything will demand its time on its own, maybe I'm crazy but this works for me.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

One of the complaints about retirement is that everyone seems to find themselves busier than they've ever been and it's the truth. Because we have all this extra time, we do things we wouldn't have been able to do when we were working. Routines do help, but still being sidetracked is a nice thing too. I just take it one day at a time.

Theresa said...

I keep lists and try really hard to spend the morning with my coffee, blogging and perhaps late before bedtime:) I enjoy it so much! One thing about retirement, there is time today and more time tomorrow to accomplish tasks not checked off on that list! Have a blessed and productive day, HUGS!

Laura said...

a difficult question... Mostly I discern whether or not the "sidetrack" is avoidance or downtime... they are not the same. And then of course either way, compassionately explore what the avoidance is about and return my attention to what truly to be done and if downtime, feel grateful that I blissfully took good care of that equally important part of each day.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you are accomplishing a lot. I am impressed by the fact that you make time for exercise. I can't seem to do that. But I know what you mean. I call it being scattered. I seem to start one thing and get side tracked and start another. Then I feel scattered because I have started several projects, but not completed anything. I have gotten a few projects done this summer, but still have a couple large ones that I keep procrastinating about. I stopped working due to illness this year and find that an unstructured schedule makes it hard to get things done. So I'm still working on this too. I am now looking for a part time job to get me back in the swing of things.

BJ PUP said...

Think of all the things you're doing now that you had no time for when you were working. Give yourself a break and don't worry how much you're doing just how much fun and relaxation you're enjoying.

Susie said...

Oh yes, this is how it starts...you are sidetracked for an hour, then a couple hours, then a day,etc,etc, etc before you know it...you are wondering how you ever had time to go to work, when you did. LOL.xoxo,Susie