Deadlines, productivity and the pits of procrastination

….Tuesday, 9am, barely out of bed, showered, breakfast made….

In the drudgery of my previous existence where my daily routine was summed up by the ever so non glamorous (and peeling) label of 9 – 5, life was easy. Well, the sequence of daily events was or perhaps predictable is a better way of describing it. Alarm, shower, coffee, bite, quick assembly of random wardrobe items, slap on face and sleep cycle to work miraculously surviving the muppet traffic in all directions.  Second shot of tea or coffee just about kick started the system and off I went. The relentless steady stream of e-mails and pending tasks got tackled one by one, admittedly accompanied by something which was diagnosed by my colleagues as a mild case of Tourette syndrome. I got through, we got through. Despite (or maybe because of - I am starting to wonder) things got done, tasks completed, e-mails answered, however there was little time for anything but work in my previous life. 

When my position became part time for a brief period I found myself completing almost the same amount of work in half the time. Oh the stretchy quality of time when we are truly pushed!

…making coffee…

Having recently embarked on the “eat what you kill” path also known as self-employment I need to, somehow, find my balance back, I need to readjust my rhythm and create my new routine – or do I?

…toilet break and brushing teeth…

Now, where was I? Oh yes, I was going to touch on the subject of procrastination (what a beautiful word), self-discipline and focus. Not that I am lacking inspiration but my windows definitely need cleaning and I am glad I finally managed to repot those plants.

…washing dishes after breakfast, coffee nearly ready…

A quick glance in the mirror reveals that my eyebrows really need plucking and should I dye my hair today? I seem to crave manual jobs. I am planning to paint the railing of my balcony and varnishing my doors, you should see what the wet season does to wood here! My landlord shrugs and says :”up to you”…

…putting calming face mask on while sipping coffee…

I am going to cook something nice for lunch and while I am at it I might as well make a cake. Note to self: shopping!

I find myself making To Do lists these days primarily to be able to cross things off them.

I consider knitting a scarf as today’s temperature reads mere 19 degrees Celsius. It’s cold. I have knitting needles but no yarn…..

But now on a more serious note:

I am learning not to feel guilty for not being busy and stressed out every waking moment of my days. This is, after all, the freedom I was dreaming about in front of my two glaring computer screens not so long ago. I am the master of my time and if I find myself possessed by the procrastination demons and the urge to paint my toe nails red seizes me – then be it, it’s no crime. There is more to life than work, right?

When I have finished this blog post (drafted by hand on paper as evil facebook and internet are lurking in the computer background) I will – I promise – finish those captions for my photos as the exhibition launch is only a few days away.

Now let me just make the bed and sweep the floor as it is a bit dirty…..

…taking the cake out of the oven….

…putting The Doors on….