Let’s Begin

Some of my “To Do” items keep jumping lists. They were on last week’s list, the weekend list, and yesterday’s list of things to do. They keep following me forward because they aren’t getting accomplished. I’m learning there are a handful of reasons (or perhaps excuses) I keep in a pocket in my brain to pull out when I don’t start the thing I wrote on the list to do. Here are a some of my reasons/excuses…see if any sound familiar:

My Go to Reasons Not to Start:

• I’m not in the mood/ I’ll wait until inspiration strikes. 

This one comes to mind when exercising, a writing task, organization project, or a task requiring planning could be started. 

• This should have been completed long before today/ I’m so behind-why start now?
• I’m not sure how to do it/ I don’t know the right way to do it. 

Does any of this sound familiar? 

It’s an “ick” feeling, isn’t it, to keep putting something off that you want or need to begin? I’m losing patience with that “ick” as I grow older and I’m learning ways of thinking and habits that move me from procrastination to performance. I’m not naturally a big performer. I’m not lazy, but I prefer relationship focus more than task focus. Yet, things need to be started and procrastination is like a whiney child. The more you let it sit with you unchecked the more stress builds!

I shared reasons I give (myself) for not beginning, however, I am learning there are some very good reasons for starting that trump those. 

Reasons to START:

• Think of how good it will feel to have the task accomplished. 

I heard this tip last year from Dawn (The Minimal Mom) on YouTube. This works really well when I have a shorter task that I am dreading or not feeling inspired to do. It really helps to picture how good it will feel to have the task off your list. Then, make the call, write the hard e-mail, or write out your weekly meal plan and grocery list.

• Remind yourself: this will create value, order, or ease. Do you have a book idea you have been putting off beginning the first draft? Your book will be a creation of value. Do you keep putting off organizing the bathroom closet and drawers? Remember your work will create order. Have you skipped your morning walk? Lace up your shoes in the evening and remember that this effort creates ease of mind and body. 
• If you start something, you are going to learn. You might go in not knowing how to do the task and you (learning genius that you are) will find a way to pick up the skill you need. In working through a task, you will make mistakes (or maybe even fail big time). That’s part of the process and nothing to be ashamed or fear. You were designed to learn and change. Starting something new can help foster that needed growth or change.

What does this look like practically? 

Let me give you an example from my life. The blog you are reading now was a LONG time in coming. I took an almost two-year break from writing and beginning again felt almost like starting over (except, for the important fact that my website was already created!). My reasons for putting it off were first “good” ones. Sometimes not starting or continuing is for an understandable cause. Back in April of 2021, I was close to having our third child. A newborn is a great reason to take a break from things and not begin other new things. When you have a baby, you are starting something NEW! 

Now my baby is 22 months old and my reasons for not starting my blog back up are many: 

• I don’t remember much of the technical part of uploading posts and pictures. This feels like a hurdle.
• I don’t post much on Instagram, but that would be the platform I use to let friends know a new post is out into the world. How do I get comfy using this fast-changing social media tool?
• I feel like I should have started a long time ago. There comes a feeling of embarrassment that I keep paying a nice chunk of change for a domain and hosting service that I am not using. I feel behind…
• I wonder if my work will get lost among all the other voices and content people are creating. Is my voice worth being heard? What if I go through the work and no one wants to read it?
• My writing is currently an un-paid hobby. Is that a good use of my time?
• Can I sustain the writing work once I start? Is it feasible to write a weekly blog post along with my other responsibilities?

These questions and reasons left me feeling very stuck. Blog posts weren’t being written since I sat in the unanswered mire of questions and defenses for why not starting was valid. 

Even in all the sticky reasons to procrastinate, there was this chain attached to a big truck that could pull me out of the wheel-spinning muck. There stood a great reason to begin. 

I wanted to!

Below the excuses, I hold a burning desire to be a writer. Unraveling ideas through words is a passion I hold. I want to serve readers by giving them words to find their own voice. June and Joy writing helps us be able to truly say: I am doing well. Under the doubts, I think this work is needed. And I can answer my doubts with truth like: I am a learner and have figured the technical side before. I know people to ask about Instagram questions (what an amazing thing that people you don’t even know in person can read your writing!). I could have started before, but starting now is also a good time to begin. I love the feeling of clicking “publish” on my BlueHost site and watching it put up a new post for readers on June and Joy. I know that life-giving hobbies are worth the time. And this work is good practice for writing the book that is in my imagination (and my journals and word documents).

Here we are. You hold my blog start in your hand. 

What do you need to begin? Date night with your spouse, weekly meal planning, the exercise video, clearing out your buried desk? 

Think of how good it will be to accomplish (or begin) your project, task, or dream!

Here’s to new beginnings!

-Kassie Joy