Sunday Journal Prompt

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little." 

                                                                                                                                  - Edmund Burke

I tend to get overwhelmed by large tasks and put them off—grading 60 papers, reorganizing my basement clutter, writing the books I want to write, researching college scholarships for my son, assembling an intricate scrapbook in honor of my father’s 75th birthday. I feel depleted when I have to-dos hanging over me and cringe when I hear the punishing “should” voice in my head. But when a deadline approaches, I go into a panicked state and finally dive into the task with my heart racing. Other parts of my life suffer when I’m in catch-up mode, especially time with my family. It becomes a vicious cycle that often leaves me feeling sick, exhausted and guilty.

As I approach my 44th birthday, this is the part of myself I’d most like to change. I see the double-digit birthdays as meaningful transition times—at 11, I entered middle school and developed a deeper connection with God; at 22, I graduated from college, moved to Columbus to be with my future husband and entered the work world; at 33, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and started taking creative writing classes—which led to graduate school and a new career. At 44, I want to master pacing myself and finally stop negative self-talk.

Today I will grade five homework assignments. I’ll devote 30 minutes to reorganizing my home instead of postponing that task until I have more time.

What have you been avoiding? How can you resolve to do a little of it periodically?