Short and Sweet

I am loving this challenge! But I've got to be honest with you. It's hard!

It takes a lot of thought and effort. And time. Time is the big one for me. 

As it stands, today will be the first post that I will have written before the time of posting. Because I happen to know that I will be absolutely shattered once I get home from work. Tuesdays are hard and long. I don't like them very much.

I've been thinking a lot about how I can manage this project (manage being the key word) so that it remains a rewarding and stress-less experience. 

I have something of a love-hate relationship with list making, but for the purposes of this challenge I weighed up the benefits of writing one and actually it did help to collate my thoughts and give a clear but flexible outline to follow. Yes, I'm still hoping to write things ahead of time for the sake of efficiency and my own sanity! But it creates a goal, an achievable outcome even if I don't. I think it will help on the days when my brain turns to mush and I want to give up. I've already had a few of those so far.

If you're also writing a 31 days series, what are you finding hard?

Some Thoughts on Procrastination and Productivity

Today I've spent some time writing a few posts that will be ready for next week. I almost can't believe that I'm so prepared. I usually don't prepare things ahead of time. I'm more of a 'just wing it' kind of blogger. But honestly, I'm struggling with this daily posting thing. It's getting quite overwhelming and whenever I start feeling overwhelmed, I usually run and hide and don't want to come out for a long, long time. 

I read a blog post at Red and Honey entitled Blogger vs. Procrastination (really loving Beth's series on Un-Blogging btw) and left a comment because honestly - procrastination is my middle name! 

Here's some of what I said:

I struggle with this one big time! And I'm not even a wife or mother. I don't know how you ladies do it! Seriously though, I do have a busy life with lots of things that pull my attention in different directions. So when I do have down time, I think I need to relax and not do anything in order to be refreshed. But really, I'm just not using my time as wisely as I should. Actually, when I invest my time into productive passions (ie. the things I do in my down time). I'm re-energizing my batteries in order to give into other areas in my life too. By procrastinating, we are really robbing ourselves of achieving our dreams and a sense of purpose and fulfillment in our day-to-day life. Easier said than done, I know. I am a terrible procrastinator and constantly have to work on staying focused and motivated to achieve the things that are so easily put off!

8 Best Tips for Avoiding Procrastination outlines some very achievable and practical tips that I think are awesome! If you fight against the Procrastination Monster like I do, I would definitely recommend it.

Renewal

I'm not going to lie, there are some days when all I want to do is sit around the house doing absolutely nothing. Today has been one of those days - I've been in my pyjamas all day and I've done nothing productive!

I know that this might come across as laziness, and really it is, but there are times when it's important for me to slow down to almost a complete standstill. So often my calender is full of 'stuff' and busyness that I forget to stop and take the time to rest and rejuvenate. Yet I need to. In order to continue giving into the things that I invest my time in, I have to make sure that I invest in renewing my energy reserves too.

Renewal happens from the inside. And in order for me to be renewed, I need headspace to struggle with and work through issues that affect my week and weigh on my heart. I need to leave room in my busy schedule to let God work. And that requires time. Time that sometimes means that I do nothing outwardly in order to be inwardly productive, to cultivate my inner life.

In order to be poured out, we first need to be filled. And as we move through our busy lives, we need to continually be filled. I don't know about you, but it's too hard constantly running on empty. Renewal is an ongoing process. And He gives it at any time, in any circumstance - it's completely limitless.

Overwhelmed

Sunday evening. Time to prepare for the week ahead. Only on this Sunday evening I've been struck with a feeling of complete and overwhelming panic. It feels like my ever growing to-do list has grown into a giant monster that threatens to swallow me whole. My mind rushes at a million miles an hour when I think of all the things that need to be done. And as fast as I check something off the list, there are a multitude of things to take its place. How do I live a productive and fulfilled life without freaking out every ten minuets because I can't do everything that needs to be done? Note to self - time management Jo, it's called time management.

Yet just because I'm completely overwhelmed in this feeling of inadequacy, I'm choosing to embrace it. Because this is a place where I can't live in my own strength. I need Him. I need His grace. I have to lay down my inadequacies and hang-ups and cast those worries onto Jesus. Because he can handle the things that scare me and overwhelm my soul. 

Let's face it, I can't do everything. Perfection is unattainable. Yet in His perfect love, He extends grace to my momentary freak-outs when life feels too much for me to handle. But these moments are good, they're important. Because they make me seek a little change of perspective. 

O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! // Psalm 61:1-4