I’m starting to notice a pattern with myself. One I’m not proud of. And it’s relatively new. I haven’t always had this problem, but lately, well, I’m having trouble getting things done.

Actually, it’s just things I’m not really excited about doing. I discriminate. If it’s something I WANT to do, that’s a whole different story. I’m more than willing to get THOSE things done.

It’s the other “stuff.”

The things I don’t want to do. I’ve started procrastinating on: filling out forms, calls I need to make, housework, and errands I’m not excited to do. My new motto seems to be, “Why do today what I can put off and do tomorrow?”

I’ve never been one to wait until the last minute to get things done. In fact, in the past, I’ve been the one to finish a task way before a deadline. And if there wasn’t a deadline, well, I’d finish it early anyway. Just for fun.

I’m an over achiever, what can I say?

But not lately.

I’m sitting here with a huge stack of camp forms. You would think I wanted to sell my children, with all the information they need me to fill out. And not just once, but it’s the SAME information on almost each page. And with two kids, I have over twenty LONG forms to fill out. I’ve already sent in the money, so can’t I just put “ask my kids when they get to camp” on the bottom of the form? It’s not like the kids aren’t old enough to talk.

Why do they need all of this information? It’s redundant. It’s repetitive. It’s a pain in the you know what. It’s like getting stung by a jelly fish: painful and irritating.
The forms were due a couple of months ago, so I decided I would finally get them done.

That, and also my kids have figured out I haven’t sent the forms back, and are starting to ask me about them.

Every day.

Avi actually sat down last night and started filling one out herself, but then that just felt wrong. And I don’t want to send the forms to the camp filled out in twelve-year-old handwriting. I don’t want them to think I completely suck.

“Mom, just fill the forms out,” Avi said, “It’s not like it will take you very long.” And I know she’s right. So why can’t I get the forms filled out?

Yesterday, she came home from school, and the first thing she asked was, “Did you get the forms filled out?” I felt like I was in school, and had to tell the teacher I forgot my homework.

“No,” I said, “I had a particularly busy day.”

She looked at me with such disappointment. It almost made me feel like a failure, except I had to remind myself I’m the Mom, and I DON’T REPORT TO HER.

This morning, before she left for school, she gave me a quick little reminder,” Mom, try to fill them out today. It will only take you thirty minutes, and then you’ll be done.”

I know she’s right.

Why do we make things in our lives so complicated? In the amount of time I’ve spent having a conversation about these forms, I could have had them filled out, sent in, and been done with the whole issue. Plus, I know I’m going to have to fill them out eventually, so I’m not really sure why I didn’t just set aside thirty minutes and get it done. Months ago.

Learn from me.

Is there something in your life you keep putting off? Something you don’t want to do, and you’re just dragging it out, day after day? Be honest! We all have things. But after this little incident, I’m going to commit to working on my recent procrastination issue, and I encourage you to do the same.

Stop inflicting unnecessary pain on yourself, and those around you, and just get it done.

Today.

Now.

Right this minute.

You’ll be glad you did.

And when it comes time to filling out all the school forms in the Fall, I promise to do better.

Find meaning each day,

Dara