I love my therapist.
She has, officially, given me permission to accept my procrastinating nature. Not just accept it. Embrace it. Rejoice in it. Wallow, even.
I explained to her that I was having trouble making myself write my freelance articles ahead of schedule. That is, I do all the interviews but when it comes time to write, I put it off until the last possible moment (usually the day before the deadline). I haven't missed a strict deadline, but I spend weeks at a time beating myself up internally for procrastinating. Waiting until the last minute is dangerous (well, as risky as writing can get...I'll admit, it's not like I'm hunting serial killers for the FBI or anything). What if I catch the flu? What if my son breaks a limb? What if the house burns down? Ok...so I might have a lot more important things to worry about in that case. Still, it's my professional life on the line here. I don't want to gain a reputation as a slacker. Even though, technically, I am one.
So my therapist has a new take on the situation. She says that it sounds to her as though I am highly motivated by deadlines and that, because I do not miss deadlines, there is nothing inherently wrong with my system. In fact, she says, I might want to think about relabeling what I'm doing. It's not procrastination. It's part of my creative process.
See why I like this woman? I'm not being a slug. I'm being productive and mindful and creative. Part of my process.
I'm processing right now. See, there's this story I'm working on that's due tomorrow...
She has, officially, given me permission to accept my procrastinating nature. Not just accept it. Embrace it. Rejoice in it. Wallow, even.
I explained to her that I was having trouble making myself write my freelance articles ahead of schedule. That is, I do all the interviews but when it comes time to write, I put it off until the last possible moment (usually the day before the deadline). I haven't missed a strict deadline, but I spend weeks at a time beating myself up internally for procrastinating. Waiting until the last minute is dangerous (well, as risky as writing can get...I'll admit, it's not like I'm hunting serial killers for the FBI or anything). What if I catch the flu? What if my son breaks a limb? What if the house burns down? Ok...so I might have a lot more important things to worry about in that case. Still, it's my professional life on the line here. I don't want to gain a reputation as a slacker. Even though, technically, I am one.
So my therapist has a new take on the situation. She says that it sounds to her as though I am highly motivated by deadlines and that, because I do not miss deadlines, there is nothing inherently wrong with my system. In fact, she says, I might want to think about relabeling what I'm doing. It's not procrastination. It's part of my creative process.
See why I like this woman? I'm not being a slug. I'm being productive and mindful and creative. Part of my process.
I'm processing right now. See, there's this story I'm working on that's due tomorrow...
Comments
Cheers!
My procrastinating is now officially part of my creative process, too.
I feel good!!